Christian Apologetics Peter Kreeft

It All Comes Down To This Read John 20:1 – 21:25 Ron Mathieu

In 1995, Angela and I went to the Holy Land and visited the Garden Tomb, a site that is questionably Jesus’ grave, but which indisputably gives one the sense of what the actual tomb was like. Our small group prayed and sang a hymn, and a real sense of the sacred fell upon all of us. As were we leaving, there was a small sign in English above the door that struck a deep chord. It simply stated, “He is not here…He is risen.” No other words declare the essence of Christian faith more succinctly. Jesus rose from the dead. C. S. Lewis asserts that either this is true, and we should fall on our knees and worship Him, or it is a colossal lie and we should do everything in our power to expose the fraud. Dr. Simon Greenleaf (a very famous Harvard University professor of Law) proclaimed: “According to the laws of legal evidence used in courts of law, there is more evidence for the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than for just about any other event in history.” In the Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft/Fr. Ronald Tacelli, SJ (InterVarsity Press, 1994), five possible theories are posed to explain the Resurrection: 1) Jesus died and Jesus rose: this is the essence of Christianity. 2) Jesus didn’t rise; the apostles were deceived or hallucinated. 3) The apostles were mythmakers; they didn’t mean it literally. 4) The apostles were deceivers; they concocted a complicated conspiracy. 5) Jesus didn’t really die; He swooned and later revived. Interesting to ponder and discuss. But in the final analysis, whether we believe Jesus rose from the dead is not as important as whether He actually did. In 1 Corinthians 14 and 17 the apostle Paul cuts to the quick: “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. If Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins.” Billy Graham said “the entire plan for the future has its key in the Resurrection.” In other words, it all comes down to this: Have you nailed it down?

DAY 69 P R AY E R Lord, it’s too incredible to believe, yet so central to knowing and truly following You. Forgive me for doubting like Thomas, and like the apostles, for not recognizing You even when You are in our midst. I believe, Lord, please help my unbelief, Amen.

QUESTIONS Consider the five theories about the Resurrection. What is your conclusion?

If one seriously cannot or does not believe Jesus actually rose from the dead, what is the appropriate action for them to take?

MY REFLECTIONS Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: