Abstract
The historicity of the resurrection of Jesus is investigated based on texts in the New Testament where the resurrection is mentioned, starting with the writings of Paul and proceeding to the Gospels. The narrative perspective of each author is indicated, as well as the broader socio-religious context of the writings. The evidentiary value of the various texts is evaluated. It is found to be negligible. It is concluded that Jesus was not raised from the dead. Except for the various incompatibilities between the accounts, other factors show them to be fictional. A commonly held world-vision made provision for bodies like that of a resurrected Jesus, and angels interpreting an empty tomb for visitors. Early Christians accepted that the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures), dictated by God, contained a blueprint for the unfolding of history. The figure of a Messiah (a Christ) was created from the selective reading of certain texts. Applied to a crucified Jesus, texts like Isaiah 53, Hosea 6:2, and Zechariah 12:10 provided a basis to indicate why the Messiah had to suffer, die, then rise again on the third day. Jesus as the Christ was also connected to the belief in a general resurrection which would happen at his Parousia...
M.A. (Greek)