73 The advantage of using only four of the facts is that, with such a small number, there is even wider support for these facts among critical scholars. Additionally, these four reveal how strong the case for the resurrection is, in actuality. But it should be noted that the case
The four facts to be used here are (1)Jesus’ death due to crucifixion, (5)the subsequent experiences that the disciples were convinced were literal appearances of the risen Jesus, (6)the corresponding transformation of the disciples, and (12)Paul’s conversion appearance, that he also believed was an appearance of the risen Jesus. These four “core” facts are even more widely accepted as knowable history than the rest of the twelve, being accepted by virtually all critical scholars.^74
Each of these four facts is established by means of normal historical methodology (see Appendix 1). The deathof Jesus due to crucifixion is evidenced not only by 1 Corinthians 15:3, but is further corroborated by the nature of crucifixion (including Yohanan’s skeleton, which we examine in the next chapter), medical testimony concerning Jesus’ heart wound, and Strauss’ famous critique of the swoon theory. Other New Testament creeds (like Phil. 2:8; 1 Cor. 11:23–26), as well as certain non-Christian and early non-New Testament Christian sources (see chapters below) are also helpful.
The fact of the disciples’ experiencesthat they believed to be appearances of the risen Jesus, is corroborated chiefly by the early and eyewitness testimony of 1 Corinthians 15:3ff. Other creeds (like Luke 24:34), and especially contemporary research on early confessions in the book of Acts,^75 are particularly valuable. Non-biblical references will also be discussed below.
Since naturalistic theories have failed and the evidence so strongly confirms these early creeds, the earliest Christian experiences (both to groups and to individuals) are generally considered by critical scholars to be as firmly established as almost any fact in the life of Jesus. In short, it is admitted by virtually all that the disciples had real experiences that caused them to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.^76 Fuller even boldly states that these are “indisputable facts . . . upon which both believer and unbeliever may agree”!^77
The transformationof the disciples as a result of these experiences is confirmed by the material immediately following this early creed (1 Cor. 15:9–11), which reports the ministry of the eyewitnesses. Again, the entire New Testament also
for the resurrection does not rest on these four facts alone. In fact, there is no particular reason to use only four, except to make a point concerning their strong attestation.
74 For a sampling of critical theologians who accept these four core facts, see Fuller, Resurrection Narrativesespecially pp. 27–49; Bultmann, Theology, vol. 1, pp. 44–45; Tillich, Systematic Theology, vol. 2, pp. 153–158; Bornkamm, Jesus, pp. 179–186; Wilckens, Resurrection, pp. 112–113; Pannenberg, Jesus, pp. 88–106; Moltmann, Theology of Hope, especially pp. 197–202; Hunter, Jesus, pp. 98–103; Perrin, Resurrection, pp. 78– 84; Brown, Bodily Resurrection, especially pp. 81–92; Paul VanBuren, The Secular Meaning of the Gospel(New York: Macmillan, 1963), pp. 126–134.
75 See especially Acts 1:1–11; 2:32; 3:15; 5:30–32; 10:39–43; 13:30–31.
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