Debate Between William Lane Craig and Gerd Ludemann: The Historical Jesus and the Resurrection

Jesus' Resurrection: Fact or Figment?: A Debate Between William Lane Craig & Gerd Ludemann

by Paul Copan

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2720 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	206 pages

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In this highly anticipated debate, two leading scholars on the historical Jesus and the resurrection, William Lane Craig and Gerd Ludemann, engage in a lively and thought-provoking discussion.

William Lane Craig is a leading Christian apologist and philosopher of religion. He is the author of over 30 books, including Reasonable Faith and The Kalam Cosmological Argument. He is also the host of the popular podcast Reasonable Faith.

Gerd Ludemann is a German theologian and New Testament scholar. He is the author of over 50 books, including The Resurrection of Jesus: History, Experience, Doctrine and What Really Happened to Jesus? He is a leading proponent of the "quest for the historical Jesus" and has argued that the resurrection of Jesus was a later invention.

The debate between Craig and Ludemann covers a wide range of topics, including:

• The evidence for the resurrection of Jesus
• The historicity of the empty tomb
• The appearances of Jesus to his disciples
• The reliability of the Gospels
• The search for the historical Jesus

Craig argues that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is strong and that it is the best explanation for the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus to his disciples. Ludemann, on the other hand, argues that the evidence for the resurrection is not as strong as Craig claims and that it is possible to explain the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus without resorting to the supernatural.

The debate between Craig and Ludemann is a fascinating and in-depth discussion of the historical Jesus and the resurrection. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the historical Jesus or the resurrection of Jesus.

William Lane Craig's Arguments for the Resurrection

Craig argues that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is strong and that it is the best explanation for the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus to his disciples. He presents several arguments for the resurrection, including:

• The argument from the empty tomb. Craig argues that the empty tomb is the best evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He points out that the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers, and that it was found empty on the third day after Jesus' death. He argues that the best explanation for the empty tomb is that Jesus rose from the dead.
• The argument from the appearances of Jesus. Craig argues that the appearances of Jesus to his disciples are strong evidence for the resurrection. He points out that Jesus appeared to over 500 people on multiple occasions, and that these appearances were not hallucinations or visions. He argues that the best explanation for the appearances of Jesus is that he rose from the dead.
• The argument from the conversion of Paul. Craig argues that the conversion of Paul is strong evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He points out that Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he had a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus. After his conversion, Paul became one of the most influential apostles in the early church. Craig argues that the best explanation for Paul's conversion is that he actually saw the risen Jesus.

Gerd Ludemann's Arguments Against the Resurrection

Ludemann argues that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is not as strong as Craig claims and that it is possible to explain the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus without resorting to the supernatural. He presents several arguments against the resurrection, including:

• The argument from the lack of evidence. Ludemann argues that there is no scientific evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He points out that there is no evidence of a tomb that was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers, and that there is no evidence of Jesus appearing to over 500 people on multiple occasions. He argues that the lack of evidence for the resurrection makes it unlikely that it actually happened.
• The argument from the contradictions in the Gospels. Ludemann argues that the Gospels contain numerous contradictions in their accounts of the resurrection. He points out that the Gospels disagree on the number of women who went to the tomb, on the time of day when Jesus rose from the dead, and on the events that occurred after Jesus' resurrection. He argues that the contradictions in the Gospels make it difficult to believe that the resurrection actually happened.
• The argument from the lack of independent confirmation. Ludemann argues that there is no independent confirmation for the resurrection of Jesus. He points out that the only sources for the resurrection are the Gospels, which were written by Christians who believed that Jesus was the Son of God. He argues that the lack of independent confirmation for the resurrection makes it unlikely that it actually happened.

The debate between William Lane Craig and Gerd Ludemann is a fascinating and in-depth discussion of the historical Jesus and the resurrection. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the historical Jesus or the resurrection of Jesus.

Ultimately, the question of whether or not Jesus rose from the dead is a matter of faith. There is no scientific evidence that can prove or disprove the resurrection, and the evidence that does exist is open to interpretation. However, the debate between Craig and Ludemann provides a valuable opportunity to consider the evidence and to weigh the arguments for and against the resurrection.

Jesus' Resurrection: Fact or Figment?: A Debate Between William Lane Craig & Gerd Ludemann

by Paul Copan

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2720 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	206 pages

FREE