Quotes on the resurrection of Christ
A lawyer’s testimony: ‘As a lawyer I have made a prolonged study of the evidences for the events of the first Easter Day. To me the evidence is conclusive, and over and over again in the High Court I have secured the verdict on evidence not nearly so compelling…I accept [the Gospel evidence for the resurrection] unreservedly as the testimony of truthful men to facts they were able to substantiate.’ (Sir Edward Clarke KC)
A theologian’s testimony: ‘Taking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. Nothing but the antecedent assumption that it must be false could have suggested the idea of deficiency in the proof of it.’ (B.F. Westcott)
The originator of a new religion came to the great French diplomat- statesman Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord and complained that he could not make any converts. “What would you suggest I do?” he asked.
“I should recommend,” said Talleyrand, “that you get yourself crucified, and then die, but be sure to rise again the third day.”
Christianity stands on the resurrection.
Here is a letter written to a local advice column along with the response:
Dear Eutychus:
Our preacher said, on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered
Dear Bewildered:
Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for 6 hours; run a spear through his heart; embalm him; put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours and see what happens. Sincerely, Eutychus
The Gospels do not explain the Resurrection; the Resurrection explains the Gospels. Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith. (John S. Whale)
‘The most celebrated event in the New Testament is the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection enjoys this place of honour because it verified Christ’s victory over sin and death (Rom 1:4). Certainly no event since the world began has been so fully proved by the concurrent testimonies of so many people. Therefore, if we entertain a view of history that excludes the resurrection of Christ, we do more than repudiate Biblical history. We repudiate the very possibility of history, for other past events have less evidence in their favour.’ (E.J. Carnell, The Case For Orthodox Theology, 90)
[The origin of Christianity] must remain an unsolved enigma for any historian who refuses to take seriously the only explanation offered by the Church itself. (C.F.D. Moule)
Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection. (John Stott)
Taking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no single historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ. (B.F. Westcott)
If the thing happened, it was the central event in the history of the earth. (C.S. Lewis)
Jesus has forced open a door that had been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because he has done so. (C.S. Lewis)
The man in Christ rose again, not only the God. (C.S. Lewis)
Easter is to our faith what water is to the ocean, what stone is to the mountain, what blood is to the body. (Raymond Linquist)
The same power that brought Christ back from the dead is operative within those who are Christ’s. The resurrection is an ongoing thing. (Leon Morris)
Never was there as great an imposture put upon the world as Christianity, if Christ be yet in the grave. (John Trapp)