Week 12: The Commission

Week 12: The Commission – Giving a Reason for the Hope

Main Teaching

Friends, for the past eleven weeks, we have journeyed through philosophy, history, science, and forensics. We have assembled a powerful, multi-layered, cumulative case for the truth of the Christian faith. We have seen that our faith is not a blind leap in the dark, but a reasonable step into the light, grounded in evidence and sound reason. In this final session, we will synthesize what we have learned, consider its ultimate implication for the question "Who is Jesus?" , and embrace our commission to share the reason for the hope that is in us.

Part 1: Synthesizing the Cumulative Case

The strength of the case for Christianity lies not in any single argument, but in its cumulative power. It is the convergence of independent lines of evidence from many different fields, all pointing to the same conclusion. Let's briefly retrace our steps to see the full picture. We began with reason, establishing the foundation of theism by looking at the world around us. • The Cosmological Argument showed that the universe's very existence, and the fact that it had a beginning, points to a transcendent, personal, powerful, uncaused Creator. • The Teleological Argument demonstrated that the universe's intricate fine-tuning for life points to an intelligent Designer of immense wisdom. • The Moral Argument revealed that the existence of objective right and wrong points to a transcendent Moral Lawgiver whose character is the standard of goodness. Reason alone brings us to the doorstep of a God who is consistent with the God of the Bible: a timeless, spaceless, immaterial, personal, powerful, intelligent, and moral being. Next, we moved to history, demonstrating that the records of Jesus's life are trustworthy. • We saw that the New Testament documents are the best-attested writings of all of antiquity, with more manuscripts and a shorter time gap to the originals than any other classical work, giving us confidence that what we read today is what was originally written. • We established that these documents are based on early, eyewitness testimony, confirmed by the ancient 1 Corinthians 15 creed (dating to within 3-5 years of the cross) and even by non-Christian sources like Tacitus and Josephus. Then, we focused on the central claim of Christianity, using the "Minimal Facts" approach, which relies on data accepted by the vast majority of historians, including skeptics. • We established that Jesus's death by crucifixion is a historical certainty, refuting any notion that he merely swooned. • We built a powerful case for the empty tomb, based on the Jerusalem proclamation, enemy attestation, the testimony of women, and the simplicity of the early accounts. • We demonstrated that the disciples had real experiences of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, which cannot be explained away by naturalistic theories like hallucinations.

• We saw the powerful, otherwise inexplicable transformation of the disciples, the skeptic James, and the persecutor Paul as a direct result of these appearances. Finally, we examined unique forensic evidence that provides tangible corroboration. • The Shroud of Turin and the Sudarium of Oviedo, while not proofs in themselves, offer stunning scientific and historical data that is remarkably consistent with the unique details of the Gospel accounts of the Passion.

Part 2: The Central Question – Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

This entire body of evidence forces us to confront the most important question anyone can ask: "Who is Jesus?" The evidence all points to the resurrection. And if the resurrection is true, it is God's divine exclamation point on everything Jesus said and did. It is God's ultimate vindication of Jesus's radical claims about himself. The author and former atheist C.S. Lewis famously framed this question as the "Trilemma. " Lewis argued that Jesus made claims that leave us with only three options for who he was. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus claimed, in various ways, to be divine. He claimed to have the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7), an authority the Jewish leaders rightly understood belonged to God alone. He accepted worship (Matthew 14:33). He used the divine name "I AM" for himself (John 8:58). Given these claims, Lewis argues that the popular idea of Jesus as merely a "great moral teacher" is not a viable option. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a Liar—a charlatan who knew his claims were false and died for that lie—or a Lunatic, on the level of a man who claims to be a poached egg, sincerely but insanely deluded. • Was he a Liar? This seems unlikely. His moral teachings are among the most profound in human history. Liars typically act for selfish gain, yet Jesus's claims led him to a life of poverty, rejection, and ultimately, a brutal execution. • Was he a Lunatic? This also seems improbable. His wisdom, his composure in the face of his accusers, and the psychological depth of his teachings do not align with the profile of a madman. • Or was he Lord? This is the third option. If he was neither a liar nor a lunatic, then we must accept his claims as true. He is who he said he was: the Son of God. The resurrection is the key that unlocks the trilemma. A liar or a lunatic remains dead. But the historical evidence we have examined points powerfully to the conclusion that Jesus rose from the grave, confirming that he is, in fact, Lord.

Part 3: The Commission – Ready to Give an Answer

This brings us to our commission. The purpose of acquiring this knowledge is not to become arrogant or to win every debate. The goal is not to win arguments, but to win people. Our mission is to use this knowledge to gently and respectfully remove the intellectual obstacles that keep people from considering the person of Jesus Christ. We are called to live out 1 Peter 3:15: "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." • "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy... " This is the starting point. Apologetics begins with worship. Before we can defend our faith to others, Christ must be Lord in our own hearts. This gives our defense its authenticity and power. • " ...always being prepared to make a defense... " The Greek word for "defense" is apologia, from which we get our word "apologetics. " It means a reasoned case or argument. This course has been an exercise in that preparation. We are called to be ready, not caught off guard when our faith is questioned. • " ...to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you... " This is responsive, not aggressive. We are answering a question, sharing a reason for a hope that people can see in our lives. What is that hope? It is the hope of forgiveness, of meaning, and of eternal life, all grounded in the historical reality of the resurrection. • " ...yet do it with gentleness and respect. " This is the crucial "how. " Our attitude matters more than our arguments. We are planting seeds of truth in a spirit of love and humility, trusting the Holy Spirit to bring about growth. We are to show respect for the questioner, even if they are hostile, because they too are made in the image of God. As we conclude this study, the challenge is to take what we have learned and put it into practice. To become people who are not only believers, but defenders of the faith—ready, willing, and able to share the reason for our hope with a world that desperately needs it.

Extra Notes & Resources for Deeper Study

This course is a starting point. The field of apologetics is vast and rich. Here are some excellent resources to continue your journey of learning to defend the faith.

Key Thinkers to Know:

• C.S. Lewis (1898-1963): A former atheist and one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th century. His book Mere Christianity is a classic and essential read, particularly for its defense of the Moral Argument. • William Lane Craig (1949-Present): A leading contemporary philosopher and theologian known for his rigorous defense of the Kalam Cosmological Argument and the historical resurrection of Jesus. • Gary Habermas (1950-Present): A historian and New Testament scholar who is the world's foremost expert on the resurrection, known for developing the "Minimal Facts Approach" . • Michael Licona (1961-Present): A New Testament historian who has done extensive work on the reliability of the Gospels and the evidence for the resurrection, often collaborating with Gary Habermas. • Jeremiah J. Johnston (Present): A New Testament scholar and president of the Christian Thinkers Society, dedicated to equipping Christians to be thinkers and thinkers to become Christians. Recommended Reading: • For a foundational next step: o C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. If you haven't read it, this is the place to start. It masterfully builds the case from the Moral Law to the person of Christ. • For a comprehensive overview of the evidence: o Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ. A highly readable journalistic investigation into the evidence for Jesus. o J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Christianity. A homicide detective applies the principles of cold-case investigation to the Gospels. • For practical application and conversational tactics: o Gregory Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. An invaluable guide on how to engage in conversations with gentleness and respect. • For a deeper dive into the resurrection:

o Gary Habermas and Michael Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. The most comprehensive popular-level book on the subject. Online Resources: • ReasonableFaith.org: William Lane Craig's website, featuring a vast library of articles, podcasts, and animated videos on nearly every major apologetic topic. • CrossExamined.org: Frank Turek's ministry, offering articles, videos, and a podcast focused on evidence for Christianity. • ChristianThinkers.com: The ministry of Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, providing resources to help Christians engage with culture and answer tough questions.

Discussion Questions

1. Looking back over the 12 weeks, which piece of evidence has been most impactful for you personally? 2. How has this course changed your confidence in sharing your faith? What is the biggest fear or hesitation you still have, and how can this group help address it? 3. What is the difference between winning an argument and winning a person? How can we practice doing this with "gentleness and respect"? 4. C.S. Lewis argued that Jesus could not have been just a "good moral teacher. " How would you explain his "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord" trilemma to a friend? 5. Who is one person in your life that you can pray for and seek an opportunity to have a gentle, respectful conversation about the hope you have? What is one question you could ask them to get the conversation started?

Further Study Worksheet: "Crafting Your 1-Minute Apologetic"

The goal of apologetics is not just to know the evidence, but to be able to share it in a personal and relational way. One of the most effective ways to do this is to weave the reasons for your faith into your personal testimony. This exercise will help you craft a concise, one-minute story that you can share in a natural conversation. Structure your story in three parts: Before, The Turning Point, and After. Below are a few examples from different life perspectives.

Example 1: The University Student • Before: "In my philosophy class, it felt like every argument was designed to tear down faith. I started to think that being a Christian meant ignoring science and history, and I honestly wasn't sure my beliefs could stand up to that kind of scrutiny. " • The Turning Point: "But then I was challenged to look into the actual historical evidence for the resurrection. I was shocked to learn that the core of the story is supported by facts that most historians—even non-Christian ones—accept. Learning that the disciples' belief in the resurrection can be dated to within just a few years of the cross showed me it wasn't a late-developing legend. " • After: "Knowing my faith is rooted in a real, historical event gives me a quiet confidence in those classroom discussions. It's not about winning debates, but about knowing that my hope isn't just a feeling; it's grounded in a reality that changes everything. "

Example 2: The Parent • Before: "When my kids started asking really tough questions about God and the Bible, I realized my answers were pretty shallow. I'd say 'you just have to have faith, ' but I knew that wasn't a satisfying answer for them, or even for me. " • The Turning Point: "That's when I started looking into the evidence for myself. The moral argument really hit home for me. I realized that our deep, innate sense of right and wrong, which I'm trying to teach my kids, doesn't make sense without a real, transcendent standard of goodness—which is God's own character. " • After: "Now, our conversations are different. I can tell my kids that we believe in God not just because the Bible says so, but because the world He made and the moral compass He put inside us both point to Him. It's helped us build a faith for our family that is for both the heart and the mind. "

Example 3: The Professional in a Secular Workplace • Before: "In my line of work, faith is seen as a purely private, emotional thing. I always felt like I had to check my faith at the door because I didn't have a logical way to talk about it with my skeptical colleagues. " • The Turning Point: "Someone introduced me to the fine-tuning argument—the idea that the fundamental constants of the universe are exquisitely balanced for life to exist. As an engineer, the sheer improbability of that happening by chance was staggering. It made me realize that believing in a Designer was actually a more rational explanation than believing in a cosmic accident. " • After: "I'm still not loud about my faith at work, but I'm no longer afraid of the topic coming up. I have a newfound confidence that my worldview is coherent and evidence-based. It allows me to engage in respectful conversations, knowing that faith in a Creator is a reasonable and intellectually sound position. " Example 4: The Friend in Crisis • Before: "For a long time, my faith felt like it was mostly for when things were going well. When a close friend went through a real tragedy, I realized I didn't have a good answer for why we can have hope when life seems meaningless and chaotic. " • The Turning Point: "I started studying the historical evidence for Jesus's resurrection. The fact that the disciples went from being terrified and hiding to being willing to die for their belief that they had seen the risen Jesus really struck me. Their transformation wasn't based on a nice idea, but on a powerful, world-changing event. " • After: "Now I understand that Christian hope isn't just wishful thinking. It's grounded in the historical fact that Jesus conquered death. That means that even in the worst suffering, death doesn't get the final word. That's a real, tangible hope I can share with my friends when they're hurting. " Take some time this week to write out your own one-minute story. Practice saying it out loud so it sounds natural. The goal is not to have a rigid script, but to have a clear, concise, and personal way to give a reason for the hope that is in you.

Supplemental Study

Week 12: The Argument from Prophecy

Throughout this course, we have focused on evidence from philosophy, history, and science. But the New Testament itself presents another powerful line of evidence that the first Christians found compelling: fulfilled prophecy. The apostles argued that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus were not random events, but the culmination of a story that God had been telling for centuries through the prophets of Israel. What is Messianic Prophecy? Messianic prophecy refers to the collection of predictions in the Old Testament, written over a period of about 1,000 years, that foretell the coming of a future savior, the Messiah (Hebrew for "Anointed One"). These prophecies describe his lineage, birthplace, ministry, character, and, most surprisingly, his suffering, death, and ultimate victory. The Improbability of Coincidence: Skeptics often dismiss fulfilled prophecy as either a coincidence or a story written after the fact to match the predictions. However, the sheer number, specificity, and historical timeframe of these prophecies make both explanations highly improbable. Mathematicians have calculated the odds of one person accidentally fulfilling even a small number of these prophecies as astronomically low. Consider just a handful of the specific prophecies fulfilled in the final 24 hours of Jesus's life: • Betrayed by a friend: Psalm 41:9 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 26:47-50 • Sold for 30 pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 26:15 • The money thrown in the temple and used to buy a potter's field: Zechariah 11:13 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:3-7 • Silent before his accusers: Isaiah 53:7 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:12-14 • Crucified with criminals: Isaiah 53:12 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:38 • Hands and feet pierced: Psalm 22:16 -> Fulfilled in John 20:25-27

• Mocked and insulted: Psalm 22:7-8 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:39-43 • Given gall and vinegar to drink: Psalm 69:21 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:34 • Garments gambled for: Psalm 22:18 -> Fulfilled in John 19:23-24 • No bones broken: Psalm 34:20 -> Fulfilled in John 19:33-36 • Side pierced: Zechariah 12:10 -> Fulfilled in John 19:34 • Buried in a rich man's tomb: Isaiah 53:9 -> Fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60 The Impossibility of Fabrication: Could the Gospel writers have simply fabricated the story to match the prophecies? This is also unlikely. Many of the key details, such as the Roman crucifixion, the actions of the soldiers, and the burial by Joseph of Arimathea, were public events or involved people who were hostile to the Christian movement. Fabricating these details would have been easily exposed. Furthermore, many of the prophecies, particularly those involving suffering and crucifixion, were a "stumbling block" to the Jewish people, who were expecting a conquering king. The disciples would have had no motive to invent a story that made their Messiah appear cursed and defeated unless it was what actually happened. The fulfillment of prophecy provides a powerful theological and historical confirmation of Jesus's identity. It suggests that the events of the first Easter were not an accident, but the intentional, sovereign act of a God who keeps His promises.