Joshua Yates
Student ID: 3534755
APOL 610 Summer Intensive
11/7/2007

The Resurrection of Christ, Evangelism and Religious Tolerance

It is truly amazing to consider what has been accomplished for us on the cross of Christ. Mankind has no hope apart from Christ in order to have a relationship with God or have the hope of heaven once this mortal life is over. Christ said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”¹ However, in today’s society, we are taught that we must accept all religions as fact or at least be tolerant of what everyone else believes. It is beaten into us by the media that we should not place one belief system over another and all faiths are perfectly valid…except Christianity. Christianity is a vilified and scorned belief today…much of this by our own doing. This paper will seek to consider the truths of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and apply that to how we can evangelize those around us and the idea of “religious tolerance.” Is there any room for a religious tolerance, or should we be “beating our Bibles” in order to get across God’s message?

What Society is teaching and Believing

The truth of the resurrection of Christ is found in all four of the Gospels in the Bible and is referenced throughout the New Testament while being referred to in the Old Testament. The prophecies of a coming Messiah throughout the Old Testament come to life in the person of Jesus Christ. For centuries, Christians have relied upon the validity of the Bible to “prove” the fact that Christ did, in fact, raise from the dead. This is the truth that sets Christianity apart from the major religions of the world. There is no other religion that has a risen savior. Muhammad, Krishna, Buddha, L. Ron Hubbard, Joseph Smith…(the list could go on) are all dead. The founders of the other religions of the world have been buried and do not exist today. The Apostle Paul even states that,

“…And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” ²

However, the society that we live in no longer has a general knowledge of what the Bible has to say, nor does it have a respect for the Bible and what it teaches. I am always saddened (and a bit amused) when Jay Leno does his “Jaywalking” segment on The Tonight Show and asks passers by Biblical questions. There is NO general knowledge of Scripture in our world. This is also seen in youth ministry. The stories that I grew up with (David, Samson, Abraham, Isaac, Paul’s conversion, etc.) just aren’t taught…or at least they are not retained. Most people today can’t tell the difference between Moses and Noah.

This leads society to the point that they no longer need the Bible for their lives. Much of the world does not accept the Bible as Truth, it is a “holy book” written by man and is no more true than the Talmud, Koran, Book of Mormon, etc. The questions arise, “What makes Christianity the “right” religion? All religions lead to the same God, so it doesn’t really matter which one a person chooses to follow, right?” This is very pragmatic and ecumenical. It sounds great…but God tells us in his Word that it cannot and does not work that way. Our world is being led astray by an enemy that they don’t see. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.³ How do we reach them? How do we let them know of the love of God and his plan to redeem them? How do we tell them about the truth of the resurrection of Christ without using the Bible?

The Centrality of the Resurrection of Christ

As stated earlier, it is the resurrection of Christ that sets apart Christianity from other religions. Jesus made claims that he was speaking the truth when he was on earth. His truth flies in the face of what the world tries to sell today. His truth also is in direct contrast to ALL other religions of the world (almost every religion has some truth in it…just not all truth). Thus, the best test of Christianity is whether or not Christ really rose from the dead. If he did not raise from the dead, it can be assumed that everything that Jesus taught was a lie and he is not to be believed in. However, if he did raise from the dead, his truth-claims would have to be considered as THE Truth and we have no choice but to bow our knee.⁴

Some of the claims of other religions can be tested as well. Did Muhammad really see the angel Gabriel and did he direct him to write the Koran? Was Joseph Smith directed to write the Book of Mormon? The historical documentation we have today indicates that the Book of Mormon is not very reliable at all. Muhammad was known to be an epileptic and his “vision” was probably nothing more than a seizure. However, these are really internal tests. Christianity has an external test available. “Jesus’ test is different in that it leaves no room for ambiguity. Either Jesus rose from the dead confirming his claims to divinity or he was a fraud.”⁵ There is no room in between. As Josh McDowell states in his book More Than a Carpenter, Jesus was one of three things: a lunatic, a liar or the Lord.

Getting Around Religious Tolerance

The “minimalist facts approach” is the approach to the resurrection that uses facts garnered from history, widely accepted writings and testimonies of those involved in order to come to a strong conclusion that the best explanation for the facts that surround the resurrection of Christ is that he actually did raise from the dead. It must be noted that there are no 100% certainties in history, and thus, there are no 100% certainties here. It is simply the best explanation for the data that is available. This approach seeks to use only scholarly-accepted data and not the Bible. “This approach considers only those data that are so strongly attested historically that they are granted by nearly every scholar who studies the subject, even the rather skeptical ones…They are well evidenced and nearly every scholar accepts them.”⁶

The historicity of a claim can be determined by five historical principles: 1) multiple, independent sources, 2) attestation by an enemy, 3) embarrassing admissions, 4) eyewitness testimony and 5) early testimony. The resurrection of Christ meets these principles. It is a historical fact that Jesus died by crucifixion, that Jesus’ disciples actually believed that he rose and appeared to them, the Apostle Paul was suddenly changed (and converted) by seeing the resurrected Jesus, James, the brother of Jesus, was suddenly changed and converted and the tomb was empty.⁷

Religious tolerance would tell us that our faith cannot make a claim that it is better than another. However, what happens when apologetics comes into play and data can be given that directs people toward Christ? The minimalist facts approach takes a new look at what we believe, to a certain extent. The data that we have available to us in the minimalist facts approach points to the fact that Jesus actually did raise from the dead. Since this fact is the basis for the truthfulness of the Christian faith, the data itself sets Christianity apart from other religions. Religious tolerance seeks to make all religions (belief systems) equal and on the same playing field. However, by presenting data that is widely accepted, we have a basis of arguing for the validity of Christianity above the theories of other religions.

How Do We Share It?

How we share this truth is the application of the minimalist facts approach. It would be very easy to win an argument and lose a soul if the presentation is just about being “right.” Apologetics has a very firm place in evangelism and must be used effectively in order to lead people to the saving knowledge of Christ. As we look at the life of Jesus, he knew his audience and the culture that he was in. He was a student of people and the culture. He desired to meet people where they were, not beat them into the ground with religious dogma and judgment. Jesus was no pansy, either. He stood up when he needed to stand up. He cried when people hurt. He healed to show the power of his Father at the right times. He spoke in parables to teach the people that had ears to hear. He was with the people as he taught…and he changed lives. He did have the “God-thing” going for him, but I believe we can and should learn a lot from how Jesus taught and how he lived his life.

That said, we must be willing to take a stand. However, we must take a loving stand for Christ. Peter gives us this mandate in 1 Peter:

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”⁸

We have to take a stand. It can be a hard thing to do as it can really get us out of our comfort zone. “Are you so concerned about offending others that you refuse to take a stand on virtually every issue? This is far from the way Jesus was. Many were offended by his teachings.”⁹

We must also show love as we present the case of Christ. This can be a very hard thing to do when you get into a debate about the validity of the claim of the resurrection of Christ, even when using the minimalist facts approach. Humility plays a large part in showing love as well. Paul tells us to “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”¹⁰

In order to be listened to, we must be willing to listen to others. We cannot dogmatically put down what someone else believes if we desire to be taken seriously. Jesus was a master listener, but he didn’t just listen to the words of others. He listened to their hearts. We have the truth within us that can meet the needs of all who hear it…but we must be listening.

As we encounter people that desire to debate about the issue of the resurrection of Christ, there are some good pointers to mention. First of all, we must stay on the topic of the resurrection. It is very easy to be led astray onto other issues that may surround the resurrection of Christ, but do not add to the discussion of the validity of the claim. Keep the main thing the main thing. People may attempt to hide behind some “smokescreens” in order to maintain what they currently believe. We must recognize that and keep the discussion focused. Other issues can be discussed as well, but they should be treated separately. ¹¹ “It can be helpful to remember that the majority of the people we talk to will reject Christ, not because of any lack of evidence, but because they simply want to do so.”¹²

We must be willing to say we don’t know something when we really don’t know the answer to a question that is posed. So often, Christians attempt to answer questions that they don’t really know the answer to and end up doing more damage than had they just said, “I don’t know.” “There is no shame in admitting that you do not know the answer to something.”¹³ In fact, this can actually help further the conversation at a later time. By simply stating the fact that you don’t know the answer right then, but are willing to find the answer furthers the conversation and increases your credibility in the eyes of the hearer.

Finally, as far as the minimalist facts approach is concerned, don’t be taken by false information. I cannot tell you how many times a person will come to me with information that seems to disprove a claim in Scripture and I FREAK OUT! Most of the time, I realize that there is really no claim to be had after I’ve checked out the information that was used to support the original objection. In the heat of the moment it is extremely easy to lose composure. When we don’t know the answer to a question right away, it feels like our believe just might have some holes in it! It’s at this point we must take a breath. We have information to support the claims that we make, we should expect the same of any objection that comes our way.¹⁴

Conclusion

The minimalist facts approach can definitely lead someone to consider whether or not the claims of the resurrection of Christ are true. The approach can even lead someone to find the whole truth about Christ as found in the Word of God. However, no argument or conjecture, apart from the Word of God, can change a soul. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”¹⁵ There will always be the chasm of faith when it comes to believing in Jesus Christ. We can argue until we are blue in the face, we can present all of the facts that all but prove that the resurrection of Christ is a valid, historical event, but it is the Spirit of God that draws the hearts of men to God. Apart from faith, it is impossible to please God.

Ultimately, we don’t have the power to convert anyone. This is the role of the Holy Spirit. We must prepare for our daily battle in prayer and study. We must be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have…this is the ultimate purpose of apologetics. We don’t argue for the sake of arguing. We don’t study just to win a fight. As we enter the realm of apologetics and study God’s Word, we enter the spiritual battle the rages around us. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”¹⁶ This is a battle that has already been won as a result of the cross and the empty tomb. However, there is a battle for souls that rages in the hearts of every man, woman and child that we may come across in our daily lives. This is why we study. We study so that more people can meet the One that loved them enough to die a brutal death so that we could have eternal life with him. We study so that others can determine their purpose in life…their REAL purpose. We study out of our love for God…and for people.