Different Christian apologists present different cases for the resurrection of Jesus. However, there are just a handful of key historical claims that most Christian apologists use as the historical foundation of their cases. To rationally evaluate a case for the resurrection of Jesus, it is important to be familiar with the key historical claims it is based upon, to determine whether those claims are historical facts, and to have a clear understanding of the implications of those historical claims.
In his book Reasonable Faith (3rd edition, hereafter: RF3), the Christian apologist William Craig focuses on three key historical claims:
...(1) the tomb of Jesus was found empty by a group of his women followers on the first day of the week following his crucifixion, (2) various individuals and groups thereafter experienced on different occasions and under varying circumstances appearances of Jesus alive, (3) the first disciples came sincerely to believe in Jesus resurrection... (RF3, page 360)
In their book The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (hereafter: CRJ), the Christian apologists Gary Habermas and Michael Licona focus on five key historical claims:
1. Jesus died by crucifixion (CRJ, page 48)
2. Jesus' disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them (CRJ, page 49)
3. The church persecutor Paul was suddenly changed (CRJ, page 64)
4. The skeptic James, the brother of Jesus, was suddenly changed (CRJ, page 67)
5. The tomb was empty (CRJ, page 69)
The Christian apologist Josh McDowell has the longest list of key historical claims in his case for the resurrection of Jesus. There is some overlap between his key historical claims, and those of Craig and Habermas & Licona.
McDowell has six key historical claims that he labels "Security Precautions" and seven key historical claims that he calls "Facts to Be Reckoned With" (his use of the term "facts" is question-begging):
Security Precautions Claims:
(TRF, page 68)
Claims to be Reckoned With:
(TRF, pages 81 & 82)
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