[giotto]

I am willing to believe that Christ had the power to resurrect Himself, but the accounts given by the evangelists do not really support that it happened. His body was gone from the tomb, but someone could have moved it. He appeared several times to the apostles and Mary Magdalene, but He also warned them not to touch Him, because He had not yet ascended to the Father. And when He did appear, it was out of thin air. Poof--there He was. To me all of this indicates that he was not really material. He was an apparition, much like the apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima and Lourdes.

If anyone has more scholarly evidence of a real resurrection, I would love to hear it. Now, more than ever, I want to believe.

[WashingtonSource]

You missed the one where doubting Thomas was invited to stick his hand into the side of Christ. And many others, for that matter.

[Marysecretary]

Have you ever read Josh McDowell’s book, I think it’s called Evidence that demands a verdict or something along that line. He had questions as well and investigated for himself and found Jesus was who he said he was and it was all true.

[Tahoe3002]

This is a very good book, for someone like yourself, as it was for me, when I read it.

Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ”. Buy it at a Christian Bookstore, or on-line. Worth every dollar.

[Zakeet]

If anyone has more scholarly evidence of a real resurrection, I would love to hear it. Now, more than ever, I want to believe.

I recommend you start with THIS BOOK. It is well written by a smart person (a Yale lawyer turned journalist), and addresses many issues about Jesus including His resurrection.

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus isn't quite as well written IMHO, but it specifically developed to answer your question.

Josh McDowell has written several books on the topic which have sold more than 75 million copies. to date. His two best sellers are More Than a Carpenter, and Evidence That Demands A Verdict. The former addresses questions about Jesus and the latter is aimed at questions about the Bible and Christianity.

Josh has also developed a series on Evidence for the Resurrection. I haven't yet checked them out, but knowing the quality of his other work, it should be excellent.

I wish you the best in your search for the truth.

/Zak

[time4good]

Giotto,
Just as was stated, specifically when Thomas doubted (as in he too thought Peter and the women were seeing an apparition, is WHY Jesus told Thomas to come and touch the nail piercings in his hands and the wound in His side. Also, Jesus, after he arose, walked with the two men on the road to Emaus, break bread with them (ate) and likewise when he was on the shore preparing fish to eat. Mary Magdalene did hug his feet, not like a ghost or spirit.

The biggest thing, as Jesus Himself said, is "Blessed are those who have NOT seen (miracles, Him, etc) and yet believe." speaking of us today as well. We KNOW He lives because of the power and evidence beyond any 'positive thinking' mumbo jumbo but how he touches us when we're at our lowest, guides us when we call on His Name.
When Jesus said "I am THE Way, THE Truth, THE Life, NO man comes to the Father but by me." it was the singular truth of WHERE to turn. When the Bible (Paul in Ephesians) said "For by GRACE are you saved through faith, NOT of works, lest ANY man should boast" - THAT is what separates knowing Christ as Savior more than any religion. Because Friday, and tomorrow, His freely given death AND power of His resurrection are free to ALL people, doesn't matter color, class, societal standing, sinfulness, where you've been, where you are at - YOU CAN'T EARN IT!!
Finally, in Hebrews it says "Those that come to God must believe that HE IS, and, that HE is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him." That's why Jesus said in Revelation "Behold, I stand at the door (of a man's heart) and knock, if any man opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."

[Elsie]

His body was gone from the tomb, but someone could have moved it.

There is a small problem of the SQUAD that was assigned guard duty.

---

NIV Matthew 27:62-66
62. The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, `After three days I will rise again.'
64. So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
65. "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."
66. So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

NIV Matthew 28:11-16
11. While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
12. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,
13. telling them, "You are to say, `His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'
14. If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."
15. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

[Elsie]

And when He did appear, it was out of thin air. Poof--there He was. To me all of this indicates that he was not really material. He was an apparition, much like the apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima and Lourdes.

It's hard to GRAB an apparition...
NIV Matthew 28:9
 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

 

 

It's hard for an apparition to BREAK something...

NIV Luke 24:30-31
 30.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
 31.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

 

 

It's hard to TOUCH an apparition:

NIV Luke 24:39
 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

 

 

It's hard for an apparition to EAT something...

NIV Luke 24:41-43
 41.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
 42.  They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
 43.  and he took it and ate it in their presence.

 

 

It's hard to HOLD ON to an apparition...

NIV John 20:17-18
  Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, `I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

 

 

NIV John 20:30-31
 30.  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
 31.  But these are written that you may  believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.