The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus — Ryan Cathers

‍March 22, 2026

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if ___________________,then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. New Living Translation

How can Christians claim to have THE truth instead of A truth?

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. New Living Translation

Romans 1:4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. New Living Translation

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. New Living Translation

The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus

History is the study of past events.

Historical Sources for Other Notable Figures

• Alexander the Great’s earliest biographical information comes from Polybius writing 120 years after his death, while the best source, Arrian, was composed 400 years later whose best sources are 120 to 400 years after his death. 
• Tiberius ruled Rome at the time of Jesus. Tacitus’ account of Tiberius came 80 years after the events described sometime after 110 A.D.
• Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon—a major Roman event nobody questions—which relies on only four ancient authors writing 65 to 165 years after the event. 

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‍Historical Sources for Jesus’ life:

• The four Gospels were composed within 60’s-90’s A.D. (40-70 years after Jesus’ death)
• Paul’s letters were written between 48-65 A.D. (15-32 years after Jesus’ death)
• Christian and non-Christian sources speak of Jesus in helpful ways
• Thousands of Gospel manuscripts from various centuries and geographical locations.

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1 Corinthians 15:3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. New Living Translation

“The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity, I think, from the evidence offered for the occurrence of most other supposedly miraculous events.” -Antony Flew, Atheist Philosopher

Historical bedrock: Strongly evidenced facts that a near-unanimous amount of contemporary scholar’s regard as historical, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Historical Bedrock about Jesus’ life:

1. Jesus performed acts that he and his followers regarded as miracles and exorcisms.
2. Jesus viewed himself as the messianic Son of God
3. Jesus predicted his violent death and subsequent resurrection. *‍

‍*Not unanimously agreed upon but strongly evidenced.

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Historical Bedrock for Investigating Resurrection:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.

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“Jesus’ death as a consequence of crucifixion is indisputable.” - Gerd Lüdemann, Atheist Scholar

Historical Bedrock for Investigating Resurrection:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. Very shortly after Jesus’ death, the disciples had experiences that led them to believe and proclaim that Jesus had been resurrected and had appeared to them.

“As firmly as ever, most contemporary scholars agree that, after Jesus’ death, his early followers had experiences that they at least believed were appearances of their risen Lord.” - Gary Habermas

Historical Bedrock for Investigating Resurrection:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. Very shortly after Jesus’ death, the disciples had experiences that led them to believe and proclaim that Jesus had been resurrected and had appeared to them.
3. Within a few years after Jesus’ death, Paul converted from enemy to believer after believing he saw the risen Jesus.

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“Virtually all scholars recognize Paul’s testimony that he had an experience that he believed was an appearance of the risen Jesus.… Seldom is the historical authenticity of any ofthese testimonies or the genuine belief behind them challenged by respected critical scholars, no matter how skeptical.” - Gary Habermas

Historical Bedrock for Investigating Resurrection:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.

2. Very shortly after Jesus’ death, the disciples had experiences that led them to believe and proclaim that Jesus had been resurrected and had appeared to them.
3. Within a few years after Jesus’ death, Paul converted from enemy to believer after believing he saw the risen Jesus.
4. James, the brother of Jesus, moved from being a skeptic to a follower after Jesus’ death. *

*Not unanimously agreed upon but strongly evidenced.

“I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.” -Sir Lionel Luckhoo

Your life is the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Make religion attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is.” - Blaise Pascal‍