Resurrection Myth!by Mark Napier The Christian religion is said to be founded upon historical facts. These facts are said to be solid, infallible and true. The Bible is the basis for these facts. The Bible is said by some to be the inerrant infallible word of the living god, perfect in every way shape and form, thus it is a solid and valid witness to the "fact" of the Christian religion. I think not. One has to only read this book and see that is is no way near an inerrant infallible perfect work. The contradictions within this "perfect book" are undeniable, and can only be explained away by using mental gymnastics (apologetics), reading something and saying something different from what is written. Show this perfect book to be imperfect, and you show the "facts" to be nothing more but "possibilities" and subject to doubt. The most fundamental belief in the Christian religion is the resurrection. In fact it is the very corner stone of the Christian faith. The rock that the whole castle is built upon. Josh McDowell, a Christian apologist quotes the following in his book Evidence That Demands a Verdict on page 181, Faith in the resurrection is the very keystone of the arch of Christian faith, and, when removed, all must inevitably crumble into ruin." H.P. Liddon. In McDowell's book, Practical Apologetics, on page 105 he states, "If Jesus Christ was not raised up from the dead, then the Christian faith is literally worthless.... Everything that Jesus Christ taught, lived, and died for was based upon the resurrection. That's the whole basis of Christianity. The resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christianity stand and fall together." Very straight and to the point. The Apostle Paul said as much in the following verse from this "perfect book": 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 KJV
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and
your faith is also vain. Need I say more on the importance of the resurrection gentle reader? When we examine the witness accounts of the resurrection, we learn quickly that the bible is not a perfect book in any way shape or form. The accounts found in the Gospels Mark, Luke, Matthew and John cannot be an account of the same resurrection. The stories differ to the degree of almost total disharmony. It seems there is almost nothing these accounts can agree upon, save, Jesus was resurrected. This simple test shows the falsehood contained within the bible. "I lay it down as a position which cannot be controverted, first, the the agreement of all the parts of a story does not prove that story to be false; secondly, that the disagreement of parts of a story proves the whole cannot be true." Let us now look at the resurrection of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible and see what happened exactly that day (please pat attention to the scripture in bold): What time did the women visit the tomb?Matthew: 28 Who were the women?Matthew: 28 Matthew: 28 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of
the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone
from the door, and sat upon it. Who was at the tomb when they arrived? Matthew: 282 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mark: 16 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. Luke: 24 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: John: 20 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. What did the messengers say to the women? Matthew: 285 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Mark: 16 6 And he saith unto them, be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Luke: 24 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, John: 20 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. Did the women tell anyone what they saw and heard?? Matthew: 288 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Mark16: 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Luke: 24 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. John: 20 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Did Mary know that Jesus was resurrected when she left the tomb? Matthew: 28 When did Mary first see Jesus after the resurrection? Matthew: 28 Who did Jesus first appear to after he appeared to the women? Matthew: 2816 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Mark: 16 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Luke: 24 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. John: 20 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 1
Corinthians: 15 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: Where was Jesus’ first appearance to the disciples? Matthew: 28 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 12
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they
walked, and went into the country. 13
And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they
them. 14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided
them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed
not them which had seen him after he was risen. 13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called
Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14
And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned,
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us,
while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the
scriptures? 33
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found
the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35
And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known
of them in breaking of bread. 36
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 19
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when
the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear
of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them,
Peace be unto you. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 34
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. What happened when he appeared to them? 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided
them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed
not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature. 16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. 17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,
it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover. 19
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them; he was received up
into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called
Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14
And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned,
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that
ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18
And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto
him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the
things which are come to pass there in these days? 19
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning
Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before
God and all the people: 20
And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned
to death, and have crucified him. 21
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:
and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things
were done. 22
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which
were early at the sepulchre; 23
And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had
also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24
And certain of them, which were with us, went to the sepulchre,
and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken: 26
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into
his glory? 27
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them
in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28
And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made
as though he would have gone further. 29
But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with
them. 30
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread,
and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out
of their sight. 32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us,
while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the
scriptures? 33
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found
the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35
And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known
of them in breaking of bread. 36
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit. 38
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts
arise in your hearts? 39
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and
see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40
And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto
them, Have ye here any meat? 42
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43
And he took it, and did eat before them. 44
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,
while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the
psalms, concerning me. 45
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures, 46
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ
to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48
And ye are witnesses of these things. 49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from
on high. 50
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands,
and blessed them. 51
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them,
and carried up into heaven. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace is unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Did Jesus stay on earth
for a while?
Mark 16: (compare this to Mark 16:14 and John 20:19 to show this was all done on the same day) 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Luke 24: (It all happened on the same day, sunday) 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany,
and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. John 20: 26 And after eight days again his disciples
were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being
shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Acts 1 3 To whom also he showed himself alive after
his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty
days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Where did the ascension take place? Matthew: No ascension, book ends on the mountain in Galilee Mark 16 (in or near Jerusalem, after supper) 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto
them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand
of God. Luke 24 (in Bethany after supper) 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany,
and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. John: No ascension Paul: No ascension Acts 1 9 And when he had spoken these things, while
they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their
sight. As we have seen here, there is no way we can say what happened exactly. The apologist will resort to all kinds of explanations to get around the problems. They will harmonize the accounts, or at least attempt to. I have tried many many times, and failed each time. Does this mean the resurrection never happened? NO. Does this mean the bible is not inerrant? YES. The problem created is the following, if the bible is not a reliable witness, then it should not be held as an irrefutable fact, and solid witness to an event. The bible cannot be trusted as an objective witness for the resurrection, and should be held suspect. The resurrection accounts are by far not the only contradictions in the bible, but do not take my word on this gentle reader. I suggest you read the Gospel accounts yourself and judge then. I would also suggest that you look into the other contradictions as well. Look into the apologetic arguments and weigh the evidence for yourself. Although I think I have presented enough evidence to come to the conclusion that the bible is errant, and not to be trusted as a reliable witness to the "facts" of the resurrection or Christianity. 
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