The disciples Peter and John running to the tomb the morning of the resurrection, by Eugène Burnand, painted 1898
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the salvation of mankind. Here, we share a condensed retelling of the resurrection event using all four gospels. The full story is, of course, far more robust and inspiring than this shortened compilation. We encourage you to read (or re-read) the accounts for yourself. Happy Easter… Continue reading
Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna, painted between 1457 and 1460
Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified, fulfilling his mission to sacrifice himself for humanity. In celebration of Good Friday, we share the story of Jesus’ crucifixion through excerpts from the four gospels. Happy Easter… Continue reading
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio
Easter is just around the corner, that time each year when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus was God in the flesh, who came to earth and allowed himself to be sacrificed for the sins of each human being, paying the wages of sin on our behalf. Three days later, the teaching goes, Jesus overcame death via the resurrection and, through Him, provides each one of us a path to eternal life.
It makes for an interesting—and quite incredible—story. Skeptics down through the ages have attempted to disprove it, directing their fire at the key pieces of the story: 1.) Jesus’ death by crucifixion; 2.) His burial in a tomb; and 3.) Various elements related to the resurrection itself. Continue reading
The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard von Honthorst, December 25, 1622
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
The Christmas Tree, Albert Chevalier, 1911, via Wikimedia Commons
In so many ways, Christmas is the best time of the year. People seem friendlier and more generous, decorations and parties abound, delicious food is served in abundance, and most people get to enjoy a much needed vacation. But many of the traditions associated with Christmas, including Christmas trees, gift giving, Santa Claus, and even the date of December 25th, have no direct biblical basis. Some are even rumored to have strongly pagan roots and may be actually opposed to Christianity! As a result, some Christians criticize these traditions while some non-Christians point out that they are just more examples of what makes Christianity fraudulent in their minds.
Well, what is the truth? Continue reading
Eastern Orthodox icon depicting the First Council of Nicea (325).
A central and defining tenet of Christianity is that Jesus is more than just a good teacher or even a prophet; He is God incarnate. This fact is traceable to claims and evidences offered directly from Jesus himself. However, certain fringe academic circles such as the “Jesus Seminar” and popular authors like Dan Brown have popularized the idea that Jesus never claimed to be divine. They contend that this perception of Jesus was a product of much later “mythologizing,” and would have been roundly rejected by Jesus and early Christian followers.
A review of scripture and history tells a very different story. Continue reading
Ossuary from the tomb at Talpiot, near Jersualem. It allegedly contained the bones of Jesus’ son. The find has been thoroughly discredited.
Sometimes, great stuff just falls in your lap. Currently, we are in the middle of our “10 Lies” series, in which we take on 10 anti-Christian lies that seem to get repeatedly foisted on unsuspecting people. Recently, I was reminded of another one, thanks to a friend on Facebook. So, our “10 Lies” series is getting better because, in the words of Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tufnel, it now goes “up to 11.” Continue reading
One assertion made by anti-Christian authors, such as Bart Ehrman in his recent book, How Jesus Became God, is that Jesus was never buried in a tomb. Contrary to gospel accounts, they say, the Roman authorities did not allow executed criminals to be buried. Instead, Jesus would have been left hanging on the cross to become carrion for birds and dogs. There was no “empty tomb” from which the resurrected Jesus could have emerged because, simply put, there was no tomb. Continue reading
