The resurrection of Christ is fundamental to our faith. Paul lists it with the death and burial of Christ as being “of first importance” in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We are “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). If the resurrection of Christ did not happen, Paul tells the brethren in Corinth, “Your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Since the time of Jesus’ resurrection, His opponents have denied that this event happened (Matthew 28:11-13). Opponents of Christ and His truth continue to deny the resurrection today. A new theory about the resurrection has been proposed by Thomas de Wesselow, an art historian. His theory revolves around the Shroud of Turin – the alleged burial cloth that was used to wrap the body of Jesus after His death. He argues that the image on the Shroud “fooled the Apostles” by producing an “optical illusion” that made them believe they were seeing their risen Lord.
De Wesselow explains: “They saw the image on the cloth as the living double of Jesus. Back then, images had a psychological presence; they were seen as part of a separate plane of existence, as having a life of their own. If you think yourself into the whole experience of the apostles. Going into the tomb three days after the crucifixion, in the half-light, and seeing that image emerging from the burial cloth.”
Establishing Historical Facts
The problem with de Wesselow’s theory is that he ignores the basic rules of establishing historical facts. How do we know anything that has happened in the past? We rely upon eyewitness testimony and historical records to determine what has happened. Both of these can be found in the Bible regarding the resurrection of Christ.
“He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also” (1 Corinthians 15:4-8).
Jesus’ resurrection was not some optical illusion which a handful of people claimed to have seen. He was seen by more than five hundred people at one time.
“After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:26-29).
Thomas initially doubted the resurrection of Jesus, just as many do today. But he was able to see conclusive evidence, even examining Jesus’ wounds which He received in His death, that led Him to believe the resurrection was a fact. Jesus also indicates there were those who believed without seeing firsthand what Thomas saw. How could these individuals have believed? The same way we believe things which we do not experience firsthand – through eyewitness testimony.
“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:1-2).
The words which the apostles and other inspired men wrote provide a historical record of the life of Jesus, including His resurrection. Jesus could not and would not appear in physical form to each person in order for each one to believe. The testimony of the apostles – the eyewitnesses – is the basis upon which we can believe in His resurrection.
Exchanging Facts for Assumptions
If we are to ignore such eyewitness accounts and historical records, what history can we believe? But not only does de Wesselow ignore the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, but he accepts many assumptions about the Shroud of Turin.
- He assumes that the Shroud is old enough to have come from the time of Jesus. There are serious questions as to whether it is even close to being this old.
- He then assumes that this Shroud that is allegedly from the time of Jesus was used to wrap the body of Jesus. This also is utterly unprovable.
- But if we grant that the Shroud might be old enough and that it may have been used to wrap the body of Jesus for burial, it still does not prove that the resurrection is a myth. The Scriptures say that the “linen wrappings” in which Jesus was buried were left in the tomb (John 20:3-7). If the Shroud of Turin was really the cloth in which Jesus was wrapped at His death, then it would be what was left behind at His resurrection.
Disbelief is more unreasonable than belief. While many are coming up with fanciful theories to explain away the resurrection – such as this theory that it was just an optical illusion – the account of the Bible is true and can be accepted as a historical fact.
Conclusion
The Hebrew writer said, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). God does not expect anyone to take a “leap of faith” and believe in Him against their better judgment. He provides evidence and truth upon which we can base our convictions. It is vitally important that we examine the evidence and come to believe it. The Hebrew writer goes on to explain why: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
God’s existence and His ability to reward the faithful are both proven by the resurrection. If we dismiss the resurrection as nothing more than an optical illusion, there is no reason for us to believe anything we read in the Bible.
