1 The Empty Tomb An intellectual argument for the Christian Faith

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The Empty Tomb

An intellectual An intellectual argument for the argument for the Christian FaithChristian Faith

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Buddhism Buddhism

IslamIslam

JudaismJudaism

ChristianityChristianity

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The Empty TombCentral tenet Central tenet of theof theFaithFaith

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three

days I will raise it up.” ... 21 But He was speaking of the temple of

His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His

disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which

Jesus had spoken.John 2:19–22 (NASB95)

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38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we

want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil

and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the

earth.Matthew 12:38–40 (NASB95)

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62 Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember

that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 “Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples

may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be

worse than the first.”Matthew 27:62–64 (NASB95)

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The Empty Tomb

Central tenet Central tenet of theof theFaithFaith

“Let it simply be said that we know more about the details of

the hours immediately before and the actual death of Jesus , in and

near Jerusalem, than we know about the death of any other one

man in all the ancient world”

Wilbur M. Smith (A Great Certainty in This Hour of World

Crisis 1951)

Historical fact Historical fact which connects which connects faith and faith and reasonreason

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The Empty Tomb

Central tenet Central tenet of theof theFaithFaithHistorical fact Historical fact which connects which connects faith and faith and reasonreason

“The meaning of the resurrection is a theological matter, but the

fact of the resurrection is a historical matter...the fact that the body disappeared from the tomb is a matter to be decided upon by

historical evidence”

Wilbur M. Smith (A Great Certainty in This Hour of World

Crisis 1951)

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The Empty Tomb““Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer

of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure... This man was the receive the truth with pleasure... This man was the

Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross...those who had loved from the first did the cross...those who had loved from the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive on not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive on

the third day...”the third day...”Josephus, Antiquities, 18.3.3Josephus, Antiquities, 18.3.3

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The Empty Tomb““He was crucified and died He was crucified and died

under Pontius Pilate, he really, under Pontius Pilate, he really, and not merely in appearance, and not merely in appearance, was crucified, and died, in the was crucified, and died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and sight of beings in heaven, and

on earth, and under the earth...”on earth, and under the earth...”

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The Empty Tomb““...He also rose again in three days...On the ...He also rose again in three days...On the

day of the preparation, then, at the third day of the preparation, then, at the third hour, He received the sentence from Pilate, hour, He received the sentence from Pilate, the Father permitting that to happen; at the the Father permitting that to happen; at the

sixth hour He was crucified; at the ninth sixth hour He was crucified; at the ninth hour He gave up the ghost; and before hour He gave up the ghost; and before

sunset He was buried. During the Sabbath sunset He was buried. During the Sabbath he continued under the earth in the tomb in he continued under the earth in the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathaea hd laid Him...”which Joseph of Arimathaea hd laid Him...”

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The Empty Tomb““...He was carried in the womb, even as we ...He was carried in the womb, even as we are, for the usual period of time; and was are, for the usual period of time; and was

really born, as we also are; and was in really born, as we also are; and was in reality nourished with milk, and partook of reality nourished with milk, and partook of common meat and drink, even as we do. common meat and drink, even as we do. And when He had lived among men for And when He had lived among men for

thirty years, He was baptized by John, really thirty years, He was baptized by John, really and not in appearance...“and not in appearance...“

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The Empty Tomb““...and when He had preached the gospel ...and when He had preached the gospel

three years, and done signs and wonders, He three years, and done signs and wonders, He who was Himself the Judge was judged by the who was Himself the Judge was judged by the

jews, falsely so called, and by Pilate the jews, falsely so called, and by Pilate the governor; was scourged, was smitten on the governor; was scourged, was smitten on the cheek, was spit upon; He wore a crown of cheek, was spit upon; He wore a crown of

thorns and a purple robe; He was condemned; thorns and a purple robe; He was condemned; He was crucified in reality, and not in He was crucified in reality, and not in

appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit... appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit...

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The Empty Tomb

““...He really died, and was buried, and rose ...He really died, and was buried, and rose from the dead...”from the dead...”

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The Empty Tomb““The evidence for our Lord’s life and death and The evidence for our Lord’s life and death and

resurrection may be, and often has been shown to be resurrection may be, and often has been shown to be satisfactory; it is good according to the common satisfactory; it is good according to the common

rules for distinguishing good evidence from bad...and rules for distinguishing good evidence from bad...and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great

sign which God hath given us that Christ died and sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead”rose again from the dead”

Thomas Arnold: Sermons on the Christian Life - Its Hopes, Its Thomas Arnold: Sermons on the Christian Life - Its Hopes, Its Fears, and Its Close (1859)Fears, and Its Close (1859)

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The Empty TombCentral tenet of Central tenet of thethe Faith Faith

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The Empty TombCentral tenet of Central tenet of thethe Faith Faith

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The Empty Tomb

““his own new his own new tomb”tomb”

““hewn out of the hewn out of the rock”rock”

““rolled a large rolled a large stone against the stone against the entrance”entrance”

““in which no one in which no one had yet been laid” had yet been laid” (Jn 19:41)(Jn 19:41)

Matthew 27:57-Matthew 27:57-6060

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The Empty Tomb

The proper location The proper location was knownwas known

Would have been a Would have been a man-made cave with man-made cave with one entranceone entrance

Impossible for one Impossible for one wounded as Jesus was wounded as Jesus was to opento open

No opportunity for No opportunity for misidentificationmisidentification

Matthew 27:57-Matthew 27:57-6060

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A Fainting Savior?

Jesus simply fainted from the trauma Jesus simply fainted from the trauma associated with the crossassociated with the cross

The cool air and aroma from the The cool air and aroma from the burial spices revived himburial spices revived him

Awakened he left the tomb and lived Awakened he left the tomb and lived in hiding until his eventual deathin hiding until his eventual death

The Swoon The Swoon TheoryTheory

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A Fainting Savior?

The testimony of the The testimony of the witnesses assures us that witnesses assures us that Jesus was truly deadJesus was truly dead

One hundred pounds of One hundred pounds of spices made into a paste spices made into a paste and placed between the and placed between the layers of the linen layers of the linen wrappings wrappings

A man weakened by a A man weakened by a failed crucifixion would failed crucifixion would surely have been surely have been suffocated by this suffocated by this mummificationmummification

The Swoon The Swoon TheoryTheory

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen

wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

John 19:39–40 (NASB95)

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A Fainting Savior?

Jesus died while on the Jesus died while on the crosscross

John’s testimony of the John’s testimony of the blood and water coming blood and water coming from the side of Jesus is from the side of Jesus is proof that He was truly proof that He was truly deaddead

The Swoon The Swoon TheoryTheory 32 So the soldiers came, and broke

the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they

saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But

one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately

blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that

you also may believe.John 19:32–35 (NASB95)

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A Fainting Savior?

““...death by crucifixion ...death by crucifixion causes a condition of blood causes a condition of blood in the lungs similar to that in the lungs similar to that produced by drowning...produced by drowning...

(blood followed by water) (blood followed by water) would occur in a crucified would occur in a crucified person who had suffered person who had suffered

from a ruptured from a ruptured heart...There remains, heart...There remains,

therefore, no supposition therefore, no supposition possible to explain the possible to explain the

recorded phenomena except recorded phenomena except the combination of the the combination of the

crucifixion and rupture of crucifixion and rupture of the heart.”the heart.”

Samuel Houghton M.D.Samuel Houghton M.D.







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A Fainting Savior?

““The eyewitness clearly The eyewitness clearly attached great importance attached great importance

to this. Had Jesus been alive to this. Had Jesus been alive when the spear pierced his when the spear pierced his side, strong spouts of blood side, strong spouts of blood would have emerged with would have emerged with every heart beat. Instead, every heart beat. Instead, the observer noticed semi-the observer noticed semi-solid dark red clot seeping solid dark red clot seeping out, distinct and separate out, distinct and separate from the accompanying from the accompanying

watery serum. This watery serum. This is...exceptionally strong is...exceptionally strong

medical proof of death...”medical proof of death...”







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A Fainting Savior?

““...Is is all the more ...Is is all the more impressive because the impressive because the

evangelist could not evangelist could not possibly have realized possibly have realized

its significance to a its significance to a pathologist. The ‘blood pathologist. The ‘blood

and water’ from the and water’ from the spear-thrust is proof spear-thrust is proof

positive that Jesus was positive that Jesus was already dead”already dead”

Micheal GreeneMicheal GreeneMan Alive pg. 22Man Alive pg. 22







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A Stolen Savior?

Was the Body Was the Body Moved?Moved?

62 ...the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and

said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After

three days I am to rise again.’ 64 “Therefore, give orders for the grave to

be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the

first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you

know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

Matthew 27:62–66 (NASB95)

To assume this To assume this theory we must ask theory we must ask who moved it?who moved it?

The Romans had no The Romans had no reasonreason

The Jews had no The Jews had no desiredesire

The Disciples had The Disciples had no powerno power

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A Stolen Savior?









A Roman guard - 4-12 A Roman guard - 4-12 highly trained and highly trained and disciplined soldiersdisciplined soldiers

The Temple Guard - The Temple Guard - three rotating squads three rotating squads of 10 armed menof 10 armed men

The disciples - 11 men The disciples - 11 men and 2 swordsand 2 swords

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A Stolen Savior?









““The punishment The punishment for quitting post for quitting post

was death, was death, according to the according to the

laws”laws”

George CurrieGeorge CurrieThe Military Discipline of The Military Discipline of

the Romans from the the Romans from the Founding of the City to Founding of the City to

the Close of the Republicthe Close of the Republic

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A Stolen Savior?









““During the night the During the night the captain of the Temple captain of the Temple

made his rounds. On his made his rounds. On his approach the guards had approach the guards had to rise and salute him in to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or on duty was beaten, or

his garments were set on his garments were set on fire - a punishment, as fire - a punishment, as

we know, actually we know, actually awarded”awarded”

Albert EdersheimAlbert EdersheimThe Temple: Its Ministry and The Temple: Its Ministry and

ServicesServices

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A Stolen Savior?









““The officer of the Temple The officer of the Temple Mount used to go round to Mount used to go round to every watch with lighted every watch with lighted torches before him, and if torches before him, and if any watch did not stand any watch did not stand

up and say to him, ‘o up and say to him, ‘o officer of the Temple officer of the Temple

Mount, peace be to thee!’ Mount, peace be to thee!’ and it was manifest that and it was manifest that he was asleep, he would he was asleep, he would beat him with his staff, beat him with his staff, and he had the right to and he had the right to

burn his raiment...”burn his raiment...”

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A Stolen Savior?









““...And they would say, ...And they would say, ‘What is the noise in the ‘What is the noise in the Tempt Court?’ ‘The noise Tempt Court?’ ‘The noise

of some levite that is of some levite that is being beaten and having being beaten and having his raiment burn because his raiment burn because he went to sleep during he went to sleep during his watch.’ R. Eliezer b. his watch.’ R. Eliezer b. Jacob said: ‘They once Jacob said: ‘They once

found my mother’s found my mother’s brother asleep and burnt brother asleep and burnt

his raiment”his raiment”

The MishnahThe Mishnah

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A Stolen Savior?


12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted

together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said,

“You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away

while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s

ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as

they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the

Jews, and is to this day.Matthew 28:12–15 (NASB95)

The tomb was clearly well The tomb was clearly well guardedguarded

Demonstrated by the Demonstrated by the concocted story of the concocted story of the EldersElders

If the guards were If the guards were complicit why were they complicit why were they protectedprotected

It seems the Elders It seems the Elders believed their story and believed their story and sought to cover it upsought to cover it up

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A Stolen Savior?

Was the Body Was the Body Moved?Moved?The seal was broken and The seal was broken and

the stone moved (Matt the stone moved (Matt 27:60,66; 28:2) 27:60,66; 28:2)

The body was freed from The body was freed from its wrappings (Jn 19:40-its wrappings (Jn 19:40-42; 20:2-8)42; 20:2-8)

The burial cloth was then The burial cloth was then folded and laid neatly on folded and laid neatly on the couch the couch (Jn 20:2-8)(Jn 20:2-8)

All without alerting the All without alerting the guardguard

12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted

together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said,

“You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away

while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s

ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as

they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the

Jews, and is to this day.Matthew 28:12–15 (NASB95)

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A Stolen Savior?Was the Body Was the Body

Moved?Moved?““While this story [of the theft] was afterwards While this story [of the theft] was afterwards commonly reported among the Jews... not once commonly reported among the Jews... not once is it adverted to on those trials of the Apostles is it adverted to on those trials of the Apostles which soon took place at Jerusalem, on account which soon took place at Jerusalem, on account

of their bold and open proclamation of their of their bold and open proclamation of their Master’s resurrection. Though the Apostles Master’s resurrection. Though the Apostles

were cited before their very body who had given were cited before their very body who had given currency to the report of the disciple’s theft currency to the report of the disciple’s theft they are not even once taxed with the crime; they are not even once taxed with the crime;

not even a whisper escapes the lips of the not even a whisper escapes the lips of the Sanhedrin on the subject; and the story was Sanhedrin on the subject; and the story was soon abandoned as untenable and absurd.”soon abandoned as untenable and absurd.”

John F. WhitworthJohn F. WhitworthLegal and Historical Proof of the Resurrection of the Legal and Historical Proof of the Resurrection of the

DeadDead

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A Hallucinating World?

4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day

according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then

to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five

hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but

some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me

also.1 Corinthians 15:4–8 (NASB95)

Five hundred people Five hundred people having the same having the same hallucination at hallucination at once?once?

Were People Just Were People Just Fooled?Fooled?

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Were People Just Were People Just Fooled?Fooled? “... the hallucination is not

a static phenomenon but essentially a dynamic

process, the instability of which reflects the very instability of the factors

and conditions associated with its origin”

Heinrich KluererPsychopathology of Perception


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27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your

finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but

believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him,

“My Lord and my God!”John 20:27–28 (NASB95)


Intimate Intimate acquaintances acquaintances seeing, hearing and seeing, hearing and touching Jesus?touching Jesus?


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27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your

finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but

believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him,

“My Lord and my God!”John 20:27–28 (NASB95)


Intimate Intimate acquaintances acquaintances seeing, hearing and seeing, hearing and touching Jesus?touching Jesus?

People being People being convinced who did convinced who did not want to believe?not want to believe?


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The Empty Tomb““In all the fragments and echoes of In all the fragments and echoes of this far-off controversy which have this far-off controversy which have come down to us are nowhere told come down to us are nowhere told

that any responsible person that any responsible person asserted the the body of Jesus was asserted the the body of Jesus was still in the tomb. We are only given still in the tomb. We are only given

reasons why it was not there. reasons why it was not there. Running all through these ancient Running all through these ancient

documents is the persistent documents is the persistent assumption that the tomb of Christ assumption that the tomb of Christ

was vacant”was vacant”

Frank MorisonFrank MorisonWho Moved the Stone 1958Who Moved the Stone 1958

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The Empty Tomb

““The tomb was The tomb was empty; and the foes empty; and the foes

of Christ were of Christ were unable to deny it”unable to deny it”

Ernest KevanErnest KevanThe Military Discipline of the Romans The Military Discipline of the Romans from the Founding of the city to the from the Founding of the city to the

Close of the Republic Close of the Republic

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Confucius’ Tomb - Confucius’ Tomb - occupiedoccupied

Buddha’s Tomb - Buddha’s Tomb - occupiedoccupied

Mohammed’s Tomb - Mohammed’s Tomb - occupiedoccupied

Jesus’ Tomb - EMPTYJesus’ Tomb - EMPTY

Documents

1 The Empty Tomb An intellectual argument for the Christian Faith