Originally Posted by Richbee

All New Testament scholars agree that the Gospels (biographies of Jesus) were written and circulated within Jesus’ generation, during the lifetime of the eyewitnesses

Originally Posted by Richbee

The Romans rarely would release a body to the family, but rather, just throw the criminals, as in most cases to the dogs or into a pit or garbage dump.

Originally Posted by hallq

>10 Facts about the resurrection skeptics cannot disprove"

One fact about me you cannot disprove. I can fly:

Sure the photo could be fake - but can you prove it?

>the general consensus of modern scholarship accepts the following ten details as established historical facts

The general consensus of modern scholarship is also that none of the gospels are eyewitness testimony. That leaves us with three scattered sentences from Paul giving eyewitness testimony to the resurrection. There's better evidence that the theater in my hometown is haunted.

>The corpse of Jesus has never been produced

The living body of Jesus has never been produced. If you were told by the members of a New Age cult that their leader has risen bodily from the dead, and you ask to meet him, but they say "oh, he ascended into heaven" - wouldn't you be suspicious?

Originally Posted by Richbee

The Easter season is nearly here, and what would Spring be without a really rousing, red hot debate about the resurrection of Jesus Christ with some fundamentalist "skeptics'?

The apostle Paul once asked King Agrippa, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” - Acts 26:8

Now, consider, the New Testament critic, D.H. van Daalen, who points out,

“It is extremely difficult to object to the empty tomb on historical grounds; those who deny it do so on the basis of theological or philosophical assumptions.”

In summary, the general consensus of modern scholarship accepts the following ten details as established historical facts:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion 2,000 years ago.

2. Jesus was then placed in a tomb.

3. A few days later, the tomb was found empty.

4. Soon after, the Apostles began testifying that Jesus had risen from the dead.

5. The Apostles really believed they had seen Jesus alive again.

6. Even opponents and skeptics of Christianity at the time claimed to have seen Jesus alive again, and their lives were transformed as a consequence.

7. Almost all of the Apostles eventually died for their testimony that they had seen the resurrected Jesus.

8. In the face of brutal persecution, the movement of Christianity grew beyond all reasonable expectation.

9. The belief that Jesus was physically raised from the dead was central and foundational to Christianity from the very beginning.

10. The corpse of Jesus has never been produced.

Resurrection Reasoning refutes Circular Bias from Unbelief a priori! - Click Here

Judah Etinger: Throughout the early decades of Christianity, it seems the physical vacancy of the tomb was not in doubt by anyone.

Originally Posted by Jack the Bodiless

No, they don't.

Originally Posted by hallq

People need to remember the difference in life expectancies back then. We're used to people living to 100, so we hear John was written in the 90's and say "oh, yeah, a few eyewitnesses would still be alive." I think actual life expectancies were really about 45 even after you survived into adulthood.

Originally Posted by Richbee

Rather a silly notion don't you think, since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was timed with Passover.

On the other hand, pagan fertility rites of Spring were timed in different countries when Spring arrived.

LOL!