The 7 best reasons to believe the resurrection | Jeremiah Johnston | Unapologetic 2/2

Introduction

In this section, the host introduces the guest, Jeremiah Johnston, and they discuss the importance of eyewitness testimony.

Eyewitness Testimony

• Eyewitness testimony of a car accident can have discrepancies in peripheral details but still be reliable.

• The guest, Jeremiah Johnston, is introduced and discusses his new book "Body of Proof" which focuses on the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus.

• Johnston explains that he wrote the book to draw a line straight to all practical applications of what it means to live a resurrection-centric life since it's true.

Why Did You Decide To Write The Book?

In this section, Johnston explains why he decided to write his book "Body of Proof."

Reason for Writing

• Johnston wanted to know for himself what is the best evidence for what happened at the tomb that first Easter morning when the disciples said that Jesus came alive.

• He did a 93,000 word PhD thesis on the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus and believes it is without a doubt the best explanation for what happened.

• There is a growing number of Christians in the United Kingdom who don't believe in Jesus's resurrection and yet still identify as Christian.

• Many pastors are under-preaching about the resurrection leading to many followers understudying it.

Why Does It Matter Whether Or Not The Resurrection Actually Happened?

In this section, Johnston explains why it matters whether or not Jesus's resurrection actually happened.

Importance Of Resurrection

• If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, our faith is useless and powerless.

• All of Christianity stands on the central truth of the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus.

• The center point of a Christian worldview is the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus.

The Frequency of Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus

In this section, the speaker talks about the frequency of faith in the resurrection of Jesus and compares it with other chapters in the New Testament.

Faith in the Resurrection

• The resurrection of Jesus is a physical, bodily, real event that happened to real people in real places.

• There are several reasons why people dismiss the resurrection, including mass hallucinations and misconceptions about Jewish burial traditions.

• Many scholars agree that early disciples had experiences of seeing Jesus alive after he died.

• Some scholars have tried to explain these experiences as mass hallucinations or non-physical resurrections, but these explanations are not widely accepted today.

• Differences and contradictions in biblical resurrection narratives do not necessarily point to their inauthenticity.

Differences and Contradictions in Biblical Resurrection Narratives

In this section, the speaker discusses why differences and contradictions in biblical resurrection narratives do not necessarily point to their inauthenticity.

Authenticity of Biblical Resurrection Narratives

• Well-meaning people who don't know how history is written may think that differences and contradictions between biblical resurrection narratives point to their inauthenticity.

• If all historical accounts agreed on every single detail, it would suggest conspiracy rather than authenticity.

• Eyewitness testimony often has discrepancies regarding peripheral details but agrees on major events.

Introduction

In this section, Craig Haythan talks about his experience presenting a paper on the gospel writers at a conference in Chicago in 2012. He also discusses how the Christian movement started with poor talking points and why it still managed to gain followers.

Gospel Writers and the Christian Movement

• Presented a paper on the gospel writers at a conference in Chicago in 2012.

• If the gospel writers were trying to invent a narrative, they did a terrible job because they got it all wrong.

• The Christian movement started with poor talking points that made it difficult to draw followers.

• There was no psychological motivation for early Judaism to invent a resurrection narrative about Jesus if it didn't happen.

New Discoveries

In this section, Craig Haythan talks about new discoveries he made during his research on the resurrection of Jesus. He explains why there is no psychological motivation for early Judaism to invent a resurrection narrative about Jesus if it didn't happen.

Psychological Motivation for Resurrection Narrative

• Discovered new and exciting ways to argue for the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus.

• There is no psychological motivation for early Judaism to invent a resurrection narrative about Jesus if it didn't happen.

• Judaism is a coherent religion that believes there will be a general Resurrection at the end of days.

• Honoring Jesus as a great prophet or moral teacher would have been sufficient; there was no reason to claim that he rose from the dead.

Seven Best Reasons

In this section, Craig Haythan discusses his book "A Body of Proof: The Seven Best Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus and Why It Matters Today." He highlights seven reasons why he believes in the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus.

Seven Best Reasons

• The only way to explain that everywhere the Christian movement goes, society is improved for the better.

• Christianity's influence on healthcare is significant and cannot be overemphasized.

• The emphasis on family planning and standing against infanticide and ill-treatment.

• The transformation of individuals' lives through faith in Jesus Christ.

Onesimus and the Resurrection

This section discusses how Paul wrote to receive Onesimus as a brother in the Lord, despite him being a slave. It also highlights how Jesus' resurrection changed the way people were viewed in society.

Onesimus and Slavery

• Rome was a slave economy with 40% of the empire being slaves.

• Paul wrote to receive Onesimus as a brother in the Lord, despite him being a slave.

• This shows that Jesus' resurrection changed how people were viewed in society.

The Resurrection and Old Testament

• Jesus predicted his violent death and resurrection using Old Testament passages.

• His use of these passages gives us greater interpretive precision into his mission of forgiving sins through atonement on the cross.

Jesus' Resurrection Predictions

This section discusses how Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection, highlighting his messianic program.

Predicting Death and Resurrection

• Jesus predicted his violent death and resurrection in Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33-34.

• He quotes Hosea 6:2-3 which says "after two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up".

• His predictions show that he knew what his messianic program was.

First Corinthians Account

• First Corinthians 15:3-7 describes Jesus' burial according to scriptures.

Demonstrating Resurrection Power

This section discusses how Jesus demonstrated his power over death by raising people from the dead.

Resurrection Power

• Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead in Mark 5 and Luke 7.

• He stopped the funeral procession of the Widow of Nain's son and raised him from the dead in Luke 7.

• He brought Lazarus back to life after being dead for four days in John 11.

Undyable Bodies

• Jesus is the first fruits resurrection never to die again, and we will have undyable bodies in the resurrection.

• The resurrected body is undyable, meaning it will never need to be upgraded or go through decay.

Christianity and Historical Evidence

In this section, the speaker discusses how Christianity puts itself to the historical test and provides evidence of its existence through biblical archeology.

Jewish Burial Traditions

• The speaker goes into depth about Jewish burial traditions and why it is important to understand them.

• Scholars have claimed that Jesus's body was likely eaten by stray dogs or buried in a mass criminal pit, but understanding Jewish burial traditions proves otherwise.

• Even if someone died as a crucified criminal, they would not lose track of their bones according to Jewish burial traditions.

• Archeological evidence supports the accuracy of the gospels' portrayal of Jewish juridical procedure.

External Evidence

• External evidence provides further proof of Jesus's existence beyond internal evidence.

• There is a growing body of evidence in material culture and textual tradition that supports Jesus's existence.

• There is more evidence for Jesus than there is for Roman emperors.

Jesus Appeared to All

In this section, the speaker discusses how Jesus appeared to those who believed in him, those who doubted him, and even those who opposed him.

Apostle Paul

• The Apostle Paul had a radical conversion after seeing the resurrected Christ.

• Paul spent 15 days with Peter and James in Jerusalem discussing the gospel despite having already seen the resurrected Christ.

James

• James did not believe his brother was the Messiah until after the resurrection.

• Jesus appeared to James, which led him to believe and proclaim that his brother was the Son of God.

Introduction

In this section, the speaker introduces seven reasons why Jesus's resurrection is important.

Reasons for the Importance of Jesus's Resurrection

• The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah.

• The resurrection gives us hope in the midst of suffering.

• The resurrection was a constant source of hope for Apostle Paul, who suffered greatly.

• The living hope inspired by the resurrection can help those grieving loved ones who have passed away.

• The resurrection provides a living hope that makes sense of all suffering.

• We are promised to be reunited with our loved ones who have died in Christ.

• Christians bring hope to a world that has largely given into despair because there is no other source of hope except through the resurrected Christ.

Why Is the Resurrection Relevant Today?

In this section, the speaker explains why Jesus's resurrection matters today.

Reasons Why Jesus's Resurrection Matters Today

• Our life can be poured out in purpose living for our resurrected Lord.

Introduction to the Video

The video starts with music playing in the background.

• The video begins with music playing in the background.