Brian Tubbs
2 min readNov 29, 2023

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First, it's not just the Gospels. To say that those are the only writings which refer to the resurrection of Jesus displays ignorance on your part. In addition to the four Gospels, we have the apostle Peter who talks about the resurrection in his epistles. Same with the apostle Paul (I Corinthians actually being written before the four Gospels). The book of Hebrews also talks about it.

Clearly, you don't believe the New Testament documents are divinely inspired. Fine. But you have to at least accept that they are first-century writings -- as in documents written during the same century in which the events they talk about took place. An honest historian will at least engage the New Testament as a set of ancient writings worthy of attention.

Based on these writings (and other non-biblical writings from the first three centuries), most historians (I'm talking professional, credentialed historians) agree that Jesus was a historical figure, that he was crucified, that the tomb in which he was buried was later discovered empty (by his female followers), and that many of his devoted followers later had experiences in which they genuinely and sincerely believed they saw Jesus alive after he had been killed on the cross. Yes, there are a small minority of historians who will quibble with one or more of those facts, but the majority of historians will grant them -- even if they don't accept the Bible's explanation which is that Jesus rose from the dead.

And that's fine. That's their prerogative. Just as it's your prerogative. If you don't want to believe in God or the risen Jesus or the Bible, that's a matter personal to you and your conscience -- and God, if He exists. (If He doesn't, then it's just you).

I'm fine to leave it there.

But for anyone else reading this, I encourage you to study and review the evidence. And follow it where it leads.

You may not believe in God, but you can't say there's "zero evidence" for God.

All the best!

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Brian Tubbs
Brian Tubbs

Written by Brian Tubbs

Sharing thoughts and insights about faith, history, and personal growth. Hoping to inspire more faith, hope, and love in a world that needs it.

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