Image

Christianity is a hoax if Jesus did not rise from the dead

The historian, Philip  Schaff, is often cited regarding the resurrection of Christ: ‘Truly, Jesus Christ, the Christ of the Gospels, the Christ of history, the crucified and risen Christ, the divine-human Christ, is the most real, the most certain, the most blessed of all facts. And this fact is an ever-present and growing power which pervades the church and conquers the world, and is its own best evidence, as the sun shining in the heavens. This fact is the only solution to the terrible mystery of sin and death, the only inspiration to a holy life of love to God……

The historian, Philip  Schaff, is often cited regarding the resurrection of Christ: ‘Truly, Jesus Christ, the Christ of the Gospels, the Christ of history, the crucified and risen Christ, the divine-human Christ, is the most real, the most certain, the most blessed of all facts. And this fact is an ever-present and growing power which pervades the church and conquers the world, and is its own best evidence, as the sun shining in the heavens. This fact is the only solution to the terrible mystery of sin and death, the only inspiration to a holy life of love to God and man, and only guide to happiness and peace. Systems of human wisdom will come and go, kingdoms and empires will rise and fall, but for all time to come Christ will remain “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”.’ It must be recognised that the apostle sees the resurrection of Christ in ‘all or nothing’ terms: if true, it makes Christianity the best, indeed the only, religion; if false, it transforms it into a giant and miserable hoax (1 Cor.15:12-19).

For now, consider three things, the first being that the resurrection shows – in fact, proves – that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. The liberal English Methodist, Leslie Weatherhead, whose theology resembled psychotherapy more than anything from the New Testament, rejected the historicity of all the miracles of Jesus but then accepted His resurrection. That is like a builder building a house, but then being unable to put together a cardboard box. It makes no sense at all. When the resurrected Christ appeared to Thomas, it all fell into place for the doubting disciple, and he confessed: ‘My Lord and my God’ (John 20:28). Paul told the Roman church that Jesus Christ our Lord was ‘declared to be the Son of God in power … by His resurrection from the dead’ (Rom.1:4). In seeking to evangelise the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers at Athens, Paul spoke of God who would ‘judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead’ (Acts 17:31). Ah, it fits – the miracles, the prophecies, the claims to forgive sinners and to judge the whole world, the insights into human nature, the sinlessness. This is the eternal Son of God who speaks the language of God, and His resurrection demonstrates that all this is true.

Secondly, Christ’s resurrection guarantees the future inheritance of His people. Christ told Peter to take up his cross and follow Him, that is, to exchange any hopes of a comfortable life for one of suffering and death. Peter accepted that, and so wrote to his readers: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you’ (1 Peter 1:3-4). Contrast that to The Free Man’s Worship, published in 1903 by Bertrand Russell where he  said that there is nothing beyond the grave and everything is doomed to extinction: ‘Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.’ The reason why we are to reject the adulterous philosopher, Russell, and believe the martyred apostle, Peter, is not that Peter sounds better. Rather, it is because it is true. The foundation is not unyielding despair but glorious certainty that Christ rose from the dead. This gives His people a living hope and an everlasting inheritance. Because Christ lives forever, His people will live forever.

Thirdly, this comforts all Christians that there will be a wonderful reunion in the new heaven and new earth of all those who are bought with the blood of the Lamb. The Christian will see Christ and be made like Him (1 John 3:2). That is the most life-giving of truths, but there is more. Some of the Christians at Thessalonica were bewildered when some of their number died, so Paul wrote to comfort and encourage them: ‘we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Thess.4:13-14). Will Christians know one another in the new heaven and the new earth? Clearly, the answer is a decided ‘yes’. It does not mean that all who played cricket or rugby here on earth will play cricket or rugby in the life to come. It means that all who have repented of sin and rested on Christ for salvation will join with brothers and sisters who have done likewise, and join in an everlasting communion with each other in glorifying the triune God.

One cannot read the book of Acts without seeing this repeated emphasis on Christ risen. An apostle was one who had witnessed the resurrection (Acts 1:22); the resurrection showed that the Father exalted the one whom sinners condemned (Acts 2:24-36); and it was the great claim to the Jerusalem crowds (Acts 4:2, 33). Then, as now, it is the proof that Jesus is the Son of God; the guarantee of our future inheritance; and our comfort that all Christ’s people will meet again.

Special Request:

For nearly eight years, we've highlighted issues ignored by mainstream media and resisted globalist ideologies eroding Western civilization. We've done this joyfully, without paywalls, despite personal costs to our team. Your support has kept us going, but operating costs exceed donations, forcing us to use ads. We’d love to ditch them, so we’re asking for your help. If you value our work, please consider supporting us via Stripe or PayPal. Every bit helps us keep fighting for our kids’ future. Thank you!

What's New?

Use the blue arrows at the bottom to scroll through the latest.
ACL Under Investigation for Quoting Greens Party Policy

ACL Under Investigation for Quoting Greens Party Policy

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is currently under investigation by the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner after distributing flyers during the federal election that quoted publicly available policy positions from the Australian Greens party.
By
by Staff WriterJun 23, 2025
We Are in the Middle of Armageddon

We Are in the Middle of Armageddon

"I am writing this for people who would think to themselves, 'How on earth can some Christians look at the Middle East and not see biblical prophecy playing out before our very eyes?'"
By
by Jereth KokJun 23, 2025
Freedom Depends on Personal Responsibility

Freedom Depends on Personal Responsibility

"Real freedom isn’t just the absence of external constraints; it’s the ability to live with the consequences of one’s own actions."
By
by Staff WriterJun 22, 2025
Family Voice Australia Urges Health Minister to Keep Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood

Family Voice Australia Urges Health Minister to Keep Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood

"This is not about discrimination. It is about science, safety, and protecting life."
By
by Staff WriterJun 22, 2025
Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

The Sikh community in Griffith makes up just 3.6% of the town's population.
By
by Staff WriterJun 21, 2025
Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

“Australia's foundations are solid, even if we have forgotten them. Our legal system, our freedoms, our sense of fairness—they did not just fall from the sky. They were built on a Christian heritage that honours dignity, mercy, compassion and personal responsibility.”
By
by Rod LampardJun 21, 2025
NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

“The inquiry has agreed to issue arrest warrants” just to get Labor staffers to show up, according to NSW Libertarian John Ruddick.
By
by Rod LampardJun 20, 2025
Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Kim, who has an IQ score of 276, said it "is a highly rational conclusion."
By
by Staff WriterJun 20, 2025

Image

Support

If you value our work and would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our support page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit our search page.

Copyright © 2025, Caldron Pool

Permissions

Everything published at Caldron Pool is protected by copyright and cannot be used and/or duplicated without prior written permission. Links and excerpts with full attribution are permitted. Published articles represent the opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of all contributors at Caldron Pool.

Caldron Pool does not condone the use of violence, threats, or intimidation for political or religious purposes. We strongly advocate for peaceful, respectful, and free communication and open debate without fear of reprisal or punishment.