Mohler: The Resurrection of Christ and the Reality of the Gospel

I strongly recommend everyone to read Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, article on the resurrection and the gospel. The entire article is worth our reading. Dr. Mohler is the president where I am a student and I have great respect for him and he has influenced me greatly.

Here's a money quote:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead separates Christianity from all mere religion--whatever its form. Christianity without the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is merely one religion among many. "And if Christ is not risen," said the Apostle Paul, "then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain" [1 Corinthians 15:14]. Furthermore, "You are still in your sins!" [v. 17b]. Paul could not have chosen stronger language. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" [v. 19] . . .

Those who would attack the Church and reject its gospel must direct their arrows at the most crucial truth claim of the New Testament and the disciples: That Jesus Christ, having suffered death on a cross, though sinless, having borne the sins of those He came to save, having been buried in a sealed and guarded grave, was raised by the power of God on the third day.

As Paul well understood, Christianity stands or falls with the empty grave. If Christ is not raised, we are to be pitied, for our faith is in vain. Those who would preach a resurrectionless Christianity have substituted the truth of the gospel for a lie. But, asserted Paul, Christ is risen from the dead. Our faith is not in vain, but is in the risen Lord. He willingly faced death on a cross and defeated death from the grave. The Resurrection is the ultimate sign of God's vindication of His Son.

April 12, 2009 - John 20:19-20: From Doubting Thomas to Eternal Life

To download the notes, click here.

Weekly Recommendation - "The Case For Easter"

This week we are celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Easter," is an important book to read as we think about the issues surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. Strobel's book is nothing more than the last three chapters of "The Case For Christ," that deal with the resurrection. Rather than buy the entire book, Strobel offers just those three chapters.

The chapters are:

1. The Medical Evidence: Was Jesus' Death a Sham and His Resurrection a Hoax?
2. The Evidence of the Missing Body: Was Jesus' Body Really Absent from His Tomb?
3. The Evidence of Appearances: Was Jesus Seen Alive After His Death on the Cross?

Each chapter reads like an investigation where the author interviews an expert on the issue. In all of Strobel's "Case" books, he interviews the best of the best and it shows. Chapter 1 is an interview with Alexander Metherell M.D., PH. D. who looks at the medical evidence proving that Jesus really died and no other theory can contradict that truth. Chapter 2 is an interview with William Lane Craig PH. D., D. TH. who is an expert and writer on the resurrection. I encourage everyone to read Craig's books. Chapter 3 is an interview with Gary Habermas, PH. D., D.D who successfully closes the case on the resurrection.

Strobel seeks to provide his Christian readers comfort in knowing that our faith is not in vain. For nonChristian readers, Strobels books are evangelistic hoping that they would acknowledge the truth and come to Christ. The simple truth is, that if Jesus really died and was raised from the dead, then He is both Lord and God (John 20:28). And if He is Lord and God, there is no other choice than to repent and believe in His name. Not to amounts to spitting God in the face.

For anyone interested in exploring these issues, I strongly recommend Strobel's book. And while your at it, read his other Case books. Though they deal with difficult issues, you will come away confident that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).