As Easter draws near and Christians around the world focus their thoughts on the resurrection of Jesus, it is sometimes helpful to consider how the world, our lives, and Christianity would be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead.
Make no mistake, we are not challenging the historical fact of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. We firmly believe in the historical reality of the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus.
But we also know that soon after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians were accused of inventing this story. Some critics claimed that Jesus never died. Others said that the apostles stole the body of Jesus from the grave. Today, there are countless millions of people who still believe that the resurrection is a hoax.
For the April Synchroblog, we want to explore this question in more detail. We want to ask, “What if the resurrection is a lie?”
This might be an uncomfortable question for some, but asking this question will help each of us understand our faith, provide insight to why we follow Jesus, and open up ways of interacting with people who do not believe in the resurrection.
April Synchroblog posts could also ask any of these related questions:
- If the resurrection did not happen, how would the world be different?
- If Jesus did not rise, would you still follow His teachings and example? Why or why not?
- If the resurrection did not occur, what religion (if any) would you be part of? Why would you choose this religion?
- Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Jesus did not rise, our faith is in vain, and we are still in our sins. Because of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection, this is undoubtedly true, but if Jesus did not rise, what other options are there regarding our sin? How would you deal with it?
- If Jesus did not rise from the dead, but the Scriptures say He did, how would this affect your view of Scripture? How would you now read and understand these passages that talk about His resurrection?
- If Jesus did not rise, how would this affect your view of Jesus? Could He still be God incarnate?
Add your post link in the comments section by 10:00 pm EST, Tuesday, April 10, 2012 to be included in this month’s Synchroblog. The link list will go up on Wednesday, April 11 so you can add it to your post.
We look forward to hearing from you.