aqwsed nails it:
The critique moves on to the “minimal facts” approach, claiming that it is methodologically flawed, subject to selection bias, and, ultimately, unable to bridge the gap between “the disciples believed Jesus rose” and “Jesus actually rose.”
Let us be clear: the “minimal facts” method is simply a tactical concession to skeptical standards, demonstrating that even if we use only those facts most widely accepted in critical New Testament scholarship—including the non-Christian and the non-theist—the best explanation of these facts remains the bodily resurrection.
If one wishes to dismiss the method as “apologetics,” the burden remains: what better alternative account actually explains the data without itself resorting to ad hoc speculation? It is not enough to intone “psychology” or “legendary accretion” as if such terms themselves did explanatory work.
The radical transformation of the disciples, the emergence of Christian faith in the very city where Jesus was executed, the conversion of hostile witnesses such as Paul, and the virtual absence of an early veneration of Jesus’ tomb (which would have immediately short-circuited resurrection claims had the body remained) all demand a coherent account.
To simply appeal to “human psychology” or “hallucination” is to collapse into a far more speculative hypothesis—especially when such explanations cannot account for group experiences, empty tomb traditions, and the birth of a resurrection-centered movement in a fiercely monotheistic and skeptical Jewish environment.
Here is a list of the minimum facts:
1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
- Multiple and varied attestation drastically increases likelihood of event (Tacitus, Josephus, Paul, Gospels - over a dozen in total)
2. He was buried.
- Everyone was sure he was dead.
3. His death caused the disciples to despair and lose hope.
- Means they didn't make up a story
4. The tomb was empty.
- Had it not been, it would have likely been memorialized. It was recognized that it could not hold him as was therefore of little importance.
5.The disciples had experiences which they believed were literal appearances of the risen Jesus.
- A most important proof and very difficult to explain away.
6. The disciples were transformed from doubters to bold proclaimers.
- If the "leader" was dead, doubters should increase not decrease.
7. The resurrection was the central message.
- Scholars now rate creeds with this belief message to the same year as the crucifixion.
8. They preached the message of Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem.
- Where it would be very easy to "fact check" if it wasn't true.
9. The Church was born and grew.
- The church was born from orthodox Jews who are not known to be very susceptible to change.
10. Orthodox Jews who believed in Christ made Sunday their primary day of worship.
- The Sabbath had been the holiest day of the week to Jews for over 14 centuries. All the sudden, Sunday was the holiest day of the week, why?
11. James was converted to the faith when he saw the resurrected Jesus
- James was a family skeptic
12. Paul was converted to the faith
- Paul was a skeptic and staunch persecutor of Jewish believers. This is strong enemy attestation.
@ Touch of Grey,
So, there you go. Explain these facts away if you can. (Same for you JoeyJoJo)
After that, please provide support for the Atheist presuppositions (miracles) if you can. Then, let's compare the data and see which is more likely. Let's get this settled.
Which list is easier to believe?
Atheist Miracles:
1. Existence Comes from Non-existence
2. Order Comes from Chaos
3. Life Comes from Non-Life
4. The Personal Comes from the Non-Personal
5. Reason Comes from Non-Reason
6. Morality Comes from Matter
