Since this is a new blog, I need to set out some ground rules.  This is especially important since the topic I am dealing with is Christianity, which unfortunately, has a rather wide spectrum of beliefs with new denominations seemingly being added everyday.  That being said, a large portion of that spectrum would still fall within the same category when looking at the fundamentals.  Specifically, I want to look at the basic gospel message.  If we are to understand Christianity, we must understand first its’ starting point.

I would like to start with what I believe the Bible points to as the most fundamental aspect of the gospel as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8:

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (New International Version)

The Resurrection of Christ

1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

This scripture is important for a handful of reasons. First, Paul (the author) is indicating here that, “By this gospel you are saved.” Of course, if it is through this message that we find our saving grace, it is here we should start. Second, Paul is passing on the historical account of the gospel that was transmitted verbally from the very earliest points of Christianity.  Finally, this small excerpt from scripture holds an important apologetic relating to the historical account of the resurrection.

The Message that Saves:

As indicated by Paul, this is the essential gospel message.  The key aspect of this scripture is “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”  The Bible makes clear that anyone who believes through faith that this is true, they will be saved from their sins.  Of course, inherent in this message is not just that they believe that it happened, but they believe in why it happened, who repent and believe the gospel.  By combining the Old Testament and the indications of a coming messiah (found in the OT) with the events of Jesus’ coming, we find the hope of our salvation.  As Jesus in all his innocence was selected over Barabbas (a man who was a criminal if we ever saw one) and died in his stead in a physical enactment of what was to come, so too did Christ ultimately die in our stead despite our own guilt.  For those who come to believe in Jesus and follow him, it is our saving grace.

The Beginning of the Gospel Message:

In addition to being the gospel message, this scripture documents what was probably the very original gospel message; the testimony of those who witnessed the events.  This would have been passed from person to person verbally from the very earliest points of Christianity.  The importance of this transmission of the gospel cannot be overstated because it leads into the the apologetic that is to follow.  Specifically, it shows that the resurrection was not a later invention, but was believed from the very start.

An Apologetic for the Resurrection:

For those not familiar with the term, an apologetic is a defense of something.  In this case, the defense that is naturally found in this transmission of the gospel is related to the resurrection.  As indicated, it answers one charge right from the start because it shows how early after the events that the resurrection belief originated.  However, it goes much deeper than that.  It also lists specific events and the transmission is that of the original witnesses.  Given this information, it reflects some very important aspects of the resurrection.  The best argument I have heard derived from this information is from William Lane Craig (visit his site here).  Dr. Craig argues that there are four facts about the historical Jesus that are accepted widely by New Testament historians:

  1. “After his crucifixion, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in a tomb.”
  2. “On the Sunday after the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty by a group of His women followers.”
  3. “On multiple occasions, and under various circumstances, different individuals and groups saw Jesus alive after his death.”
  4. The original disciples suddenly and sincerely came to believe Jesus was risen from the dead, despite having every predisposition to the contrary.”

These four facts, partly taken from the scripture I have shared, form the foundation of an argument for the historicity of the resurrection that is quite powerful.  The reason it is so powerful is that the only event that explains all four of the events is the resurrection itself.  All other attempts to explain away these facts only explain one of the facts singularly.  For instance, it is widely argued at the popular level that the sitings of Jesus were merely hallucinations of some sort, which really does not make sense.  But, even if you grant the possibility for arguments sake, it again only explains the sitings, but has no bearing on the other facts.  So, to defeat the whole argument, you must string together several hypotheses.  Whereas, the resurrection explains them all.

Conclusion:

As the most fundamental aspect of Christianity, the gospel message of Christ’s resurrection is to be carried to the world.  It is the message that saves and I believe is a defensible proposition (as indicated).  As William Lane Craig states, the only additional proposition that is needed to justify this explanation is a belief in God.  Of course, if you deny God out of hand, then what more can be said?

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