In their 2004 book The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, historians Mike Licona and Gary Habermas argued that the best explanation for the highly evidenced facts surrounding the resurrection of Jesus is that God rose Jesus from the dead. One of the 5 facts1 cited by Licona and Habermas is that Jesus' disciples believed that He rose and appeared to them.2 Some have claimed that it is inconsistent to believe the eyewitness accounts of the risen Jesus while rejecting the numerous reports of encounters with the late Elvis Presley. However, Licona and Habermas demonstrate why no inconsistency actually exists. They write:
"It is possible to find people who honestly believe that there is no body in the tomb of Elvis Presley or that he rose from death but no one has found the evidence convincing enough to dig up the casket to see what it contains. Jesus' tomb, however, was demonstrably empty.
Elvis sightings are best explained by various opposing theories such as mistaken identity, especially since many Elvis impersonators are about. It is also conceivable, if highly unlikely, that Elvis faked his death. All such explanations of Jesus' resurrection fail.
The religio-historical context for a resurrection is not present with Elvis as it was with Jesus. Elvis never claimed divinity; Jesus did. Elvis did not perform deeds that appeared miraculous; Jesus did. Elvis never predicted his resurrection; Jesus did."3
When one compares the appearances of Jesus with Elvis sightings, I think it is fair to say that they are fundamentally different. Even for those who have "suspicious minds," this should be clear.
When one compares the appearances of Jesus with Elvis sightings, I think it is fair to say that they are fundamentally different. Even for those who have "suspicious minds," this should be clear.
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnotes:
1. The facts Licona and Habermas include are:
a) Jesus died by crucifixion.
b) Jesus' disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them.
c) The church persecutor Paul was suddenly changed.
d) The skeptic James, brother of Jesus, was suddenly changed.
d) The skeptic James, brother of Jesus, was suddenly changed.
e) The tomb was empty.
2. To see the evidence supporting this fact, see The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas and Mike Licona, p. 49-62.
3. Ibid, p. 186; for more on the evidence for Jesus' empty tomb, see p. 69-74.
2. To see the evidence supporting this fact, see The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas and Mike Licona, p. 49-62.
3. Ibid, p. 186; for more on the evidence for Jesus' empty tomb, see p. 69-74.
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