The Facts (4+1)

Question 1

Minimal fact #1: Jesus died by crucifixion. What are 2 reasons why this is a minimal fact?

Answer 1

1. It is reported in all four Gospels.
2. It is reported in multiple extra-Biblical sources: Josephus (Antiquities 18:3), Tacitus (Annals 15:44), Lusian (The Death of Peregrine 11-12), and Mara bar Serapion (Letter in the British Museum)

Question 2

Minimal fact #2: Disciples believed Jesus rose from the dead. What are 4 reasons why this is a minimal fact?

Answer 2

1. They claimed it. The resurrection was part of the Good News from the beginning.
2. They died for it.
3. It was part of the earliest Christian creed from a few years later: See 1 Corinthians 3:3-7. The words “received” and “delivered” indicate this was oral tradition being passed on.
4. Described by the early Church writers:

*Clement of Rome (AD35-99) “Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come. (1Clem 42:3)”

Polycarp (AD 69-155) “Now He that raised Him from the dead will raise us also; if we do His will and walk in His commandments and love the things which He loved, abstaining from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing or blow for blow or cursing for cursing; (Polycarp’s Epistle to the Philippians 2:2)

Ignatius of Antioch (Approx AD35-107) “For I also know and believe, that he exists in the flesh even after the resurrection. And when he came unto them who were with Peter he said unto them, Take, handle me, and see that I am not a spirit without a body; and straightway they touched him and believed, being convinced by his flesh and his spirit. On this account also they despised death, and were found superior to death. But after his resurrection, he ate and drank with them, as being in the flesh, though spiritually he was united to the Father.” (Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 3:1-3)

Question 3

Minimal Fact #3: Paul, persecutor of Christians, was converted. What are 2 reasons why this is a minimal fact?

Answer 3

1. Documented in the Bible (Acts 9, 22, 26)
2. Described by early Christians outside the Bible.

*Clement of Rome (AD35-99) “By reason of jealousy and strife Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance. After that he had been seven times in bonds, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, had preached in the East and in the West, he won the noble renown which was the reward of his faith…” (1Clem 5:5)

Polycarp (AD 69-155) For neither am I, nor is any other like unto me, able to follow the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who when he came among you taught face to face with the men of that day the word which concerneth truth carefully and surely; who also, when he was absent, wrote a letter unto you, into the which if ye look diligently, ye shall be able to be builded up unto the faith given to you…” (Polycarp’s Epistle to the Philippians 3:2)

Question 4

Minimal Fact #4: James the Skeptic was converted. What are 4 reasons why this is a minimal fact?

Answer 4

1. Jesus’ brothers were unbelievers prior to resurrection (Mark 3:21, Mark 3:31; Mark 6:3-4, John 7:5)
2. The early creed includes Jesus’ appearance to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:7)
3. Paul and Acts identify James as a leader in the early church (Gal 1:19, Acts 15:12-21)
4. Josephus described James’ martyrdom

Josephus (c. AD37–c. 100) “When, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the Sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned.” (The Antiquities of the Jews, 20:200)

Question 5

Minimal Fact +1: The tomb was empty. What are 5 reasons why this is a minimal fact?

Answer 5

1. The enemies only had to produce the body. They couldn’t, despite the fact that the tomb was within walking distance from where the resurrection was being preached.
2. The enemies’ excuse for the empty tomb acknowledges that the tomb was empty. They claimed the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:12-13).
3. Jesus’ tomb was never venerated as a shrine because it wasn’t impotant.
4. If the tomb wasn’t empty, the disciples proclamation of the resurrection was a lie that they knew was a lie, yet they were willing to suffer and die for it.
5. The testimony of women as the primary witnesses (Luke 24:11). Highly unlikely that an invented story in that culture would have included this.

Example of Josephus (Antiquities 4:8:15) “But let not a single witness be credited, but three, or two at the least, and those such whose testimony is confirmed by their good lives. But let not the testimony of women be admitted, on account of the levity and boldness of their sex.”