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Sections

The argument, in 19 sections

The home page presents the argument as a scrollytelling experience. These standalone reading pages have the same prose without the 3D, for users who prefer pure text or want to deep link a single argument.

  1. Open

    One question matters

    Did Jesus of Nazareth rise from the dead.

  2. Section 01

    A universe rather than nothing

    Theism is more rational than naturalism on the available evidence.

  3. Section 02

    Three things a monotheism has to do

    Among monotheistic options, the Christian conception is uniquely coherent on relation, transcendence, and evil.

  4. Section 03

    5,800 manuscripts

    The New Testament is the best attested set of documents from antiquity, by an enormous margin.

  5. Section 04

    5 years, not 500

    The earliest creed about the resurrection dates within five years of the crucifixion. The Gospels are inside the lifespan of named eyewitnesses.

  6. Section 05

    Jesus claimed to be God

    Jesus made claims about himself that, in their first century Jewish context, are direct claims to divinity.

  7. Section 06

    The high priest tore his robes

    The blasphemy reaction at the trial confirms that Jesus’s claim was understood as a claim to divine identity.

  8. Section 07

    Virtually certain

    Jesus’s death by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate is among the most secure facts in ancient history.

  9. Section 08

    The tomb was empty

    The tomb where Jesus was buried was found empty on the third day. Attested in all four Gospels, presupposed by the earliest preaching, accepted by ~75 percent of working scholars.

  10. Section 09

    Six pillars

    Six historical facts are accepted by more than 95 percent of NT scholars. The resurrection hypothesis explains all six.

  11. Section 10

    Pull a pillar, the roof falls

    Every naturalistic alternative to the resurrection fails to explain at least three of the six facts.

  12. Section 11

    Names, not legends

    The resurrection claim is anchored in named eyewitnesses, transmitted through identifiable channels.

  13. Section 12

    From hiding to martyrdom

    The disciples went from frightened denial to public proclamation in weeks, and many died for the claim.

  14. Section 13

    Written centuries before

    Hebrew texts written centuries before Jesus describe the suffering, dying, and vindicated Messianic figure with striking detail.

  15. Section 14

    Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Legend

    A man who claimed what Jesus claimed was either Lord, liar, lunatic, or his claim was a later legend. The "great teacher" option is foreclosed.

  16. Section 15

    Five alternatives, briefly

    Each major alternative (Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism) is engaged on its strongest version.

  17. Section 16

    God in the suffering, not above it

    The strongest objection to Christianity is the problem of evil. The Cross is the participatory answer.

  18. Section 17

    The case is the case

    The choice is the reader’s.

  19. Section 18

    Sources, in full

    Every claim on the site can be traced. The full bibliography.