Don Stewart :: Isn't the Resurrection from the Dead a Scientific Impossibility?

Isn’t the Resurrection from the Dead a Scientific Impossibility?

Objections to the Resurrection of Jesus – Question 2

The most basic objection to Jesus Christ coming back from the dead concerns the nature of the event itself; a human being comes back to life three days after His death. We know that dead people stay dead! To argue that Jesus was seen alive after His death is contrary to the laws of science as well as to everything humanity has observed from its very beginnings.

Therefore, it is assumed by many that another explanation of what occurred is absolutely necessary. However, even if another plausible explanation cannot be found, it is contended that we still cannot accept the idea of a resurrection. This, it is argued, is the only rational, scientific, way to deal with this question of Jesus’ resurrection.

Response to the Resurrection Being Unscientific

There are a number of responses that we can give to this idea that the resurrection is a scientific impossibility.

1. Science Does Not Tell Us What Must Occur

To begin with, science does not dictate what will or what must happen. It observes what normally happens in the course of nature and establishes laws based upon what we usually observe. However, this does not mean that events are limited to what we normally observe. None of us knows enough about the universe to say for certainty whether a miraculous event has happened or may happen. All we can say is that it does not usually happen or it may never have happened before. Yet this does not mean that it cannot happen.

2. Nothing Is Too Difficult for the God of the Bible

This brings us to our next point. Miracles are indeed possible from the perspective of the Bible. If the all-powerful God of the Bible exists, then a resurrection from the dead is certainly possible. Nothing is too difficult for Him. This is the testimony of Scripture. Jeremiah the prophet records the Lord saying:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 RSV)

The God of the Bible is powerful enough to accomplish whatever He desires. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

The Apostle Paul once asked the following question that each of us should answer for ourselves:

“Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8 RSV)

Why does anyone think it is so incredible that the living God would raise someone from the dead if that is what He wished to do? A resurrection from the dead is certainly consistent with the power and purpose of the God of the Bible.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus Was for a Specific Purpose: To Demonstrate His Identity

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is admittedly a miracle. The resurrection is often denied because of its miraculous nature. But the miracle of the resurrection is exactly the point. Jesus came back from the dead to demonstrate that He was different from any Person before or since. His resurrection was unique; a one-time event. It was the sign that separated Him from any other person, or religious leader, who has lived before or since. Jesus Himself testified to this:

But Jesus replied: You want a sign because you are evil and won’t believe! But the only sign you will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. He was in the stomach of a big fish for three days and nights, just as the Son of Man will be deep in the earth for three days and nights. On the day of judgment the people of Nineveh will stand there with you and condemn you. They turned to God when Jonah preached, and yet here is something far greater than Jonah. (Matthew 12:39-41 CEV)

We should not expect to find any other similar event in history.

4. The Evidence for Miracles Must Be Weighed and Evaluated

Since none of us are in a position to deny the possibility of a miracle we must look at the claims that are made and then weigh and evaluate the evidence.

If the evidence leads us to believe that a miracle did indeed occur, then we cannot rule it out by saying it was a miracle and miracles do not happen. The facts must be allowed to speak for themselves.

Summary – Question 2
Isn’t the Resurrection from the Dead a Scientific Impossibility?

While the resurrection of Jesus Christ is often rejected because of the nature of the event, it is a miracle; there is no scientific reason as to why this should be so. Indeed, the God of the Bible exists, He controls the universe, and He certainly has the power to bring someone who has died back to life.

Since the resurrection from the dead is within His power, we cannot reject the claims that it happened. What we must do is look at the evidence and then we must determine if it is clear and convincing. We will find that it is.