Summary of "The Case Against the Resurrection of Jesus | #20 Dr. Richard Carrier"
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Richard Carrier discusses the historical arguments surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, focusing primarily on William Lane Craig's well-known case for the resurrection. The conversation is structured around Craig's two-part argument: first, establishing relevant historical facts about Jesus's fate, and second, arguing that the resurrection hypothesis is the best explanation for those facts.
Key Points Discussed:
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Craig's Historical Facts:
- Craig posits that Jesus was buried in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, supported by several lines of evidence, including an early Christian creed cited by Paul, the source material behind Mark's gospel, and the implausibility that early Christians would invent a story involving a member of the Jewish court doing right by Jesus.
- Carrier challenges these points, arguing that the evidence for a pre-Markan passion narrative is weak and that Mark's gospel is a literary construction rather than a historical account.
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The Empty Tomb:
- Craig argues that the empty tomb was discovered by women, which he claims adds credibility to the story because it would be an embarrassing detail for early Christians to invent.
- Carrier counters that the narrative's simplicity does not inherently validate its truth and that the role of women in this context does not reflect historical reliability.
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Post-Resurrection Appearances:
- Carrier acknowledges that individuals and groups reported experiences of Jesus alive after his death, but he attributes these to hallucinations or altered states of consciousness rather than actual resurrection.
- He critiques the idea that these experiences can be equated with the resurrection narrative in the gospels, emphasizing that Paul's descriptions of appearances differ significantly from later gospel accounts.
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Cognitive Dissonance and the Resurrection Belief:
- Carrier discusses how Cognitive Dissonance could explain the disciples' belief in the resurrection despite the trauma of Jesus's death. He argues that early Christians likely reinterpreted their beliefs in light of Jesus's death, using existing Jewish concepts of suffering and martyrdom.
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Methodological Issues:
- Carrier emphasizes the importance of understanding the methodologies behind apologetic arguments, suggesting that many apologists employ flawed reasoning that protects their beliefs rather than seeking the truth.
- He advocates for a critical analysis of arguments, encouraging listeners to examine the underlying logic rather than simply accepting conclusions.
Conclusion:
The discussion highlights Carrier's skepticism toward the resurrection narrative, presenting alternative explanations for the beliefs held by early Christians. He calls for a more rigorous examination of arguments and methodologies in religious discourse.
Contributors:
- Dr. Richard Carrier (Guest)
- Podcast Host (Unnamed)
Category
News and Commentary
