Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection by J. Warner Wallace

Author:J. Warner Wallace
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Detective, Theology, Christian Living, Disciples, Holidays, Apologetics, Student Edition, Resurrection, Easter & Lent, Religion & Spirituality, Easter, Christian Books & Bibles, Jesus
ISBN: 9781434707444
Publisher: David C Cook
Published: 2014-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

If we approach the issue of the resurrection in an unbiased manner (without the naturalistic presuppositions) and assess it as we evaluated the dead-body scene, we can judge the possible explanations and eliminate those that are unreasonable. The conclusion that Jesus was resurrected (as reported in the Gospels) can be sensibly inferred from the available evidence, if we are simply open to the inclusion of supernatural explanations.

MOVING FROM THE MOST REASONABLE INFERENCE TO A DECISION TO TRUST

It’s one thing to “believe that” Jesus rose from the dead and is who He said He was, but it’s another to “believe in” Him as Savior. Every one of us, at some point in our investigation of the claims of Christianity, has to move from “belief that” to “belief in.” I can remember when this happened for me. As a rebellious, self-reliant detective, I initially denied my need for a Savior, even though I accepted what the Gospels told me about that Savior. In order to take a step from “belief that” to “belief in,” I needed to move from an examination of Jesus to an examination of me. As I read the Gospels for a second and third time and explored all of the New Testament Scripture, I began to focus more on what it said about me than what it said about Jesus. I didn’t like what I saw. Over and over again, I recognized the truth about my own character, behavior, and need for forgiveness; I began to understand my need for repentance. The facts about Jesus confirmed that He was the Savior; the facts about me confirmed my need to trust in Him for forgiveness. I was now ready to move from “belief that” to “belief in.”

Maybe that’s where you are right now—on a journey from “belief that” to “belief in.” I’d like to offer a little encouragement. If Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven as the eyewitnesses reported, He is alive today; He is God. As an atheist, however, I enjoyed being my own god; I liked being the only judge and jury I would ever require. I was unwilling to submit my authority to anyone or anything bigger than myself. As you examine the evidence for Christianity, ask yourself the same question I eventually had to ask of myself: “Am I rejecting this because there isn’t enough evidence, or am I rejecting this because I don’t want there to be enough evidence?” Are you denying the resurrection on evidential grounds or simply because you are stubbornly biased against anything supernatural or pridefully unwilling to submit your authority? If you’re fair with the answer, you’ll take an important step on your journey from “belief that” to “belief in.”

If you enjoyed Alive, I would be honored if you would tell others by writing a review. Go here to write a review on Amazon.

Thank you!

—J. Warner Wallace

NOTE

1. Judicial Council of California, Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions, CalCrim Section 104, accessed May 16, 2012, www.courts.ca.gov/partners/documents/calcrim_juryins.pdf.

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