5. Why is the empty tomb compelling evidence for Jesus’ resurrection?

6. Why is the testimony of the people who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection compelling evidence?

7. How do the extent and nature of the resurrection appearances prove Jesus rose from the dead?

8. How does the initial skepticism of the apostles supply evidence for the resurrection?

9. What causes zealous skeptics to become converted and believe in the resurrection?

10. Would the evidence for the resurrection stand cross examination in a modern court of law?

11. Is there additional surprising testimony or evidence and what are the stakes?

12. Conclusion: Why it matters

Notes

About the authors

Preface

Every year Americans spend billions of dollars gambling on the one in ten million odds they will win the lottery or some other jackpot. Today, gambling for money seems to be an ordinary part of American life. In another sense, gambling is part of existence itself—everything in life carries some degree of risk. For example, there are no guarantees in a job, marriage, health, children—or in continuation of life itself. Death alone is guaranteed to us.

Perhaps for most secularists, life is something like a casino—lots of excitement with small odds on winning in the end (or, to put it philosophically, on finding the real answers to life).

Throughout history, people have wanted to know the meaning of their lives, but most have never found it. Great philosophers and commoners alike have agonized over the answers to the deepest of personal philosophical questions: Is there a God? Who or what is He? Who are we? What is the purpose of existence? Is life an accident of nature? Where did we come from? What happens when we die? Can we be certain of the truth or is everything relative? What are the implications for a life without meaning?