What Would a Jury Say?

One of my favorite memories from my law school days was the time that Dr. Paul Jensen (who also happened to be a law student at the same time—long story) facilitated a discussion during Easter Week on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what would a jury say?

He was his usual humble, brilliant self. And, as one of the leaders of the law school’s Christian Legal Society student group (who was sponsoring the discussion), I was thrilled that it was standing-room only.

I’d have to dig up my old notes to review all of his points. But I remember that he was careful to include only points that were supported by extra-biblical sources. (He quoted the Jewish historian Josephus quite a bit, as well as other writers.) He did so not because the Bible is unreliable, of course, but because he was well aware that he was addressing a “hostile” audience (not hostile violent, but hostile like a adverse witness at trial); most of the people in the room were dismissive of the Bible and since there was such a rich discussion to be had based on other sources, why not have that as a starting point?

I loved it. And I was praying. A lot.

Off the top of my head, 15 years later, these are a few of the evidences he suggested:

1. The Conversion of Saul (Paul)

2. The Change in the Disciples (from quivering and fearful / denying Christ even to a servant girl; to bold and courageous witnesses)

3. The Martyrdom of the Disciples (some people may die for something they believe in, but rarely will people die for something they know to be a fraud/lie)

4. The Inability of the Roman Rulers to Ever Produce Christ’s Body (they absolutely would have if they could have)

5. The Minor Variances in the Testimonies of Eye Witnesses (lessening the risk of collusion and increasing their credibility)

6. The Fact that it was Women Who First Testified to the Resurrection (no one at that time would have chosen women to be the first witnesses; but facts are facts and that is, in fact, what happened)

(Obviously, he didn’t order his points this way. I just jotted them down in the random order I could come up with early on this lovely, albeit cold, April Saturday.)

If you’d like to read further on some of these points, with a quick Google (formerly Topeka) search, I found a nice little article along a similar vein here:

Also, Monergism.com was kind enough to compile a fine list of links and articles on the resurrection for us here if you’re in the mood to do even more reading.

But of course, all of the pleasure of intellectual reasoning in the world will never save our soul. So mostly? I pray that even today, we would drink deeply from God’s Word, believe that He is Who He says He is, put all of our faith in His Son, rest in the hope and assurance of our salvation as confirmed by the Holy Spirit Who lives within us, and prepare our hearts for corporate worship on tomorrow’s Resurrection Sunday (and pray for our pastors who will preach God’s Word and for all hearers to it!). For the glory of the Lord and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Blessings,
Tara B.