Apologetic Groundwork #2: Evidential Apologetics

The main apologetic thrust of the Scriptures is evidential. Luke prefaces his gospel with an appeal to eye-witness testimony and careful investigation so that Theophilus may know with certainty:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).

The book of Acts begins with the words many convincing proofs demonstrating that Jesus’ resurrection is evidence based:  “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

When John’s disciples questioned Jesus’ messiahship he responds with evidence as foretold by Isaiah: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” (Luke 7:22). Jesus does not tell John to look in his heart or to believe harder but to simply look at the evidence.  One of the main themes throughout the gospels is the signs that point to Jesus’ divinity. Jesus points to his many signs and also to the witness of the prophets, his Father, the Spirit, John the Baptist, and his resurrection from the dead as proof of his divinity.

When Thomas doubted, Jesus presented him with empirical evidence of his resurrection. Upon seeing the evidence Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). When members of the church in Corinth doubted the resurrection of the dead the apostle Paul appeals to the eye-witness testimony of Jesus’ resurrection:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Throughout the book of Acts the apostles treat the resurrection of Jesus Christ as an eye-witnessed historical event. Peter describes the resurrection as an event envisioned by the prophets and witnessed by the apostles:

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it” (Acts 2:29-32).

Paul declares that the resurrection of Jesus is “proof” (Acts 17:31).  Paul also proclaims the verifiable facts of Jesus’ death and resurrection to his audience in Pisidian-Antioch: “When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:29-31).

When Festus challenges Paul’s testimony Paul appeals to what had been witnessed publically as well prophetically. Notice how Paul told Festus that the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection were not done in a corner.

At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

The Old Testament prophets also appeals to historical and prophetic evidence. Isaiah exposes the foolishness of idolatry through the inability of other gods to predict the future.

“This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one” (Isaiah 44:6-8).

Today, evidential apologetics follow the Biblical example of proclaiming the factual nature of Christianity. Evidential apologists establish the trustworthy nature of Scripture and the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection. While evidentialists are not opposed to utilizing the classical methods they may view such methods as superfluous. The evidential apologist may see the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a single stone that can kill two birds. Why begin with the cosmological argument when the resurrection of Jesus demonstrates both the existence of God and the truthfulness of Christianity? Gary Habermas and Josh McDowell are two of today’s most popular evidential apologists. Classical apologists such as William Lane Craig also make contributions. Also noteworthy is the fact that a few Lutherans have made contributions to this apologetic field including John Warwick Montgomery and Craig Parton.

The appeal of evidential apologetics is that it begins with Christ and the Scriptural record. Evidential apologetics acknowledges that the Christian faith is founded on fact, facts that do not arise out of man’s science or man’s reason but on the observed events that took place when God entered human history.