By Zia H Shah MD

The Christian apologists want to base resurrection of Jesus, may peace be on him, and a whole religion, on the alleged testimony of a few eye witnesses.

I own George Washington Bridge and I have twelve eye witnesses for my ownership.  I can produce the eye witnesses in any safe place in New York city.  I am willing to sell the bridge for 14 million dollars, which is far less than the monthly toll revenue from the bridge.  It is an amazing deal, so hurry!

Some have accused that I will pay a million dollars to each of these witnesses.  But, this is sheer envy and bad propaganda, as  I also have witnesses that will give testimony about my honest character. Let me also add that my witnesses will not contradict each other, even on cross examination, as they stand for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and God will inspire them!

Any takers, among the millions of Evangelists, for this famous bridge in New York?  For specifications of the bridge please Google the name!

Here is a debate between Prof. Bart Ehrman and Michael Licona about the issue of resurrection of Jesus:

In almost every recent debate on the issue of resurrection, you would find the Christian apologists building the case on the so called, “facts,” and eye witness testimony.

Resurrection is an extraordinary claim and extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and the Christian apologists only have a few stories from 2000 years ago to offer. Around minute 58 the debaters, in the above debate, get into this criterion and the opening statement of Richard Carrier also offers a good analogy on this theme.

Additionally, the Christian apologist obsess over one alleged resurrection of Jesus Christ, but, here is a better account of resurrection, not of one, but of a multitude:

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. (Matthew 27:50-53)

There are additional resurrections in the New Testament, for example that of Lazarus and apologists pick and choose the emphasis, to maintain their theology, based on a suicidal mission of Jesus. The well founded abhorrence, since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, against the barbarism and  inhumanity of approach of suicidal terrorists, should among other things, make us realize that suicide for salvation, personal or vicarious, is never a good option and certainly not good religion or theology.

Now, I will catalog some other debates and posts on the issue of resurrection:

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead: Prof. Bart Ehrman Vs William Lane Craig

Converting Prof. William Lane Craig to Islam

The Pope Benedict’s account of resurrection and the hearsay rule!

Did Jesus rise in a physical body or a spiritual one?

William Lane Craig makes false claims about swoon hypothesis!

Before introducing Islam, let me first say something about the big picture, Christian apologists want to make a case for Christianity based on laws of nature and science, by showing that there ought to be a Transcendent Creator of our universe.  They make this case, in one breath, and in the very next, deny all of science, by insisting on Eucharist, man-God of Jesus, who is not Transcendent, resurrection and miracles that violate laws of nature.

Atheists are right in exposing the irrationality of the Christian dogma. However, the Christians are right in as far as their claim that there needs to be a Creator of this universe, Who employed natural means to do His work. However, both parties in their self-conceit are not listening to how Islam resolves their conflict; Islam as understood by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

In a trilateral discussion between atheists, Christians and Muslims, I believe we can appreciate reality better and come up with better theology, especially if the discussion not only involves the Creator and purpose of the universe, but, also His complete Transcendence, Original Sin and evolution of life on our planet, Trinity and Eucharist.

You are invited to scores of articles about Christianity, atheism and  comparative religions in our new website, Islam for the West.