Why believe in the resurrection of Jesus?

Listening to: Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here

[I've been asked by someone to explain why I believe in the resurrection. I'm just trying to get some thoughts together before I write. As I've got a few days I thought I'd throw down my first thoughts of a plan in the likely event that it could do with some improvements. Unfortunately I haven't really thought about this in a structured way for a long, long time. Nobody usually asks me about it! No time for much fresh reading or a masterpiece, but any suggestions appreciated. I'm particularly concerned about handling part 1. as that seems quite tricky to do right.... I must admit - I'm a bit nervous about posting any of it though in case it falls on the wrong side of anyone in the fat apologetics debate on Glen's blog.]

1. Limits of reasons

   (a) intellectual: Any experience of any kind can be explained away. People start with assumptions about the impossibility of miracles which would prevent them believing accounts of miracles even if they did happen.

   (b) moral: our unwillingness to believe the Gospel because of its implications.

   (c) Resurrection as starting point: Necessary given nature of God as ultimate authority. Witness of the Holy Spirit.

   (d) 'Fit' with experience/reason/historical method: Explanatory power of the bible's message. Personal experience. Role of reasons within framework of the resurrection as starting point.

2. Biblical account

   (a) The empty tomb: failings of alternative explanations.

   (b) Witnesses: Women, early writings of Paul when witnesses still alive.

   (c) Changed disciples: Fear to boldness (the 12), enemies to friends (Paul), spread of the Gospel, martyrs, miracles of disciples.

3. Ancient worldviews

   (a) similarities/dissimilarities with Jewish worldview

   (b) dissimilarities with Greek worldview

   (c) Chronological snobbery: common-sense of ancient society

4. The church

   Resurrection life in believers.

5. Good news

   Jesus is Lord. Therefore death and sin defeated. Hope for eternal life and adoption. Physicality and personality retained.

Books I'm leaning on: The Reason for God (Keller), Basic Christianity (Stott), Surprised by Hope (Wright), The Case for Christ (Strobel), Gospel in a Pluralistic Society (Newbigin)