Michael Patton on Evidence for the Resurrection

Since we are having a discussion on the Public Square of Miracles and Mysteries, and the primary mystery of Christian faith is celebrated in this Holy Week, I wanted to point to the post by Michael Patton (a frequent contributor to the Evangelical Portal) at Parchment and Pen on the historicity of the resurrection of Christ.

A far more extensive case can be found in many places, including preeminently the writings of N. T. Wright.  Yet Michael, with his usual skill and clarity, summarizes the case.  One quotation:

“There is no reasonable explanation as to why the Apostles (or anyone for that matter) would have made up such a story. They had no popularity, power, or riches to gain from it if it was a lie. They were in constant persecution because of their confession, and finally, most met a terrible death, sealing their testimony in blood.”

Here is Rembrandt’s “Resurrection of Christ”:

May we reflect deeply and prayerfully on the central mystery of the Christian confession: that God so loved the world that he entered into human flesh, was crucified, and rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death and taking the punishment of the world upon himself.  The resurrection is not a mere story, not a mere parable.  It is an actual overcoming of evil, and a foreshadowing of our own resurrection when heaven and earth are renewed.