Customer Reviews

The Resurrection Factor

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I was a sceptic - more than that, I was a hard-core atheist before I read this book. Now, whether I like it or not, I have to accept the fact that Jesus has been resurrected on the third day - fact, not myth.

In this book, McDowell addresses all possible (and not-so-possible) "natural" explanations of the resurrection, and discusses them in detail, proving each one wrong. His approach of letting the facts speak for themselves rather than trying to press them into a belief system is what really impressed me.

With all the evidence presented, I can no longer deny the facts, and have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. There just isn't a doubt any more.

In this book, the author answers the question, "Does the historical evidence support the resurrection of Jesus Christ?" He makes several observations including an examination of the testimony of history from the point of view of several people, namely, a Roman History scholar, textual critic, and professor of Ancient History among others. The resurrection as foretold in Scripture and basic historical facts are recounted. Intelligent faith is discussed along with the possibility of miracles. Is the resurrection a fact or fable? Is the Scientific Method limited in explaining such an event? What historical criteria can be used? And, what reliable historical documents exist to support the resurrection?

In addition, the author provides a review of the several security precautions taken during the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus Christ by the Roman authorities. When these measures were not enough, several facts subsequently had to be reckoned with including the broken Roman seal and empty tomb. How was it that a large stone was moved uphill away from the site and why did the Roman Guard go AWOL? What is the significance of the graveclothes left behind and why did women see the resurrected Jesus first? Many theories have been used to attempt to explain these facts with some people believing that one theory is as good as another! However, there is circumstantial evidence such as the creation of the Church, Sunday worship, Baptism, Communion, and the changed lives of the people who beheld the resurrected Jesus that point to the undeniable occurrence of such an event in history.

In this book, you will find out the specifics of why Christians believe in the resurrection. You will also discover how Josh McDowell, a former skeptic, became a believer in Jesus Christ as he began to uncover these truths for himself as he "spent hundreds of hours over thirteen years combing the annals of history." This work is a handy reference for those who want an outline to follow in their own personal study or need a quick snapshot of the issues surrounding the resurrection of Jesus to share with others in a timely manner. It could easily become the basis for a class taught on this subject if further independent study is done to gather additional material to flesh out its contents.

Following the eight chapters of the book is a valuable Appendix which addresses three important topics. "Three Days and Three Nights in the Tomb" deals with the question "How could Jesus have remained in the tomb three days and three nights if He was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday?" It also reconciles the different Gospel accounts with each other of this event. Second, a partial reprinting of Dr. Johnston Cheney's The Life of Christ in Stereo is included because of "its excellent harmonizing of the post-resurrection appearances of Christ" in chronological order. Third, an excerpt from Walter M. Chandler's (former justice of the New York State Supreme Court) The Trial of Jesus will help the reader learn how to evaluate a witness's testimony in order to assess the "accuracy of the New Testament resurrection accounts." Finally a complete bibliography concludes this work.

This book gives all readers something to think about and respond to, whether they are new believers or those mature in their faith. Of course, skeptics are most welcome to examine the claims of Scripture as it pertains to Christ's rising bodily from the dead. Perhaps they, too, will become "born again" believers like Josh McDowell and join the Body of Christ!

- D. Garland

IF JESUS CHRIST WASN'T RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS WORTHLESS! Can the resurrection be proven beyond any reasonable doubt? There's not much point in worshipping a man who is dead and gone. The resurrection of Christ is the pivotal point around which Christianity turns. Author Josh McDowell does a good job of validating the literal, bodily resurrection of Christ as a historical fact. He quotes many experts in fields of archeology, history, legend, ancient Roman and Jewish custom and psychology. He argues for a faith based upon strong evidence. His logic is easy to follow. Points are made without laborious detail or discussion. Very enjoyable

Josh McDowell has spent hundreds of hours over thirteen years combing the annals of history. Here is comprehensive and compelling evidence. You'll discover:

* What authenticates the truth of any historical event.
* The extreme security precautions taken at the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth.
* The historical evidence that a supernatural event emptied the tomb.
* How to answer the theories advanced by skeptics to explain away the empty tomb.
* The incredible implications of the resurrection to maximum life in the Twentieth Century.

The book was easy to order and came right away. I had no problems what so ever.

I'll keep this short.

I'm an atheist. I've read several apologetic works relating the resurrection. I don't agree with any of them. This, however, is by far the weakest. If you want a resurrection apologetic, read Gary Habermas or William Lane Craig. If you want one aimed at a more popular audience, read Lee Strobel. Do not, however, read this book.

I would not recommend this book to anyone (although having said that, you might want to have a laugh at at least one of the appendices). Although there are glimpses of logic here, the book is littered with arguments that vary from the disingenuous to the preposterous.

An example of an argument from the book: 500 people are supposed to have seen the resurrected Jesus. No one would be able to make this up, because the 500+ people who hadn't would pipe up and say they hadn't.

I don't think you need to have taken classes in formal logic to see the gaping flaw here. What scares me is that apparently large numbers of people can't.

Oh, and the existence of lots of copies of the Bible doesn't make it better evidence for anything but the popularity of the Bible (and we all know popularity has very little to do with accuracy).

I'm not saying the resurrection didn't happen, but a book like this insults the intelligence of those who don't believe in it and does a great disservice to those who do.