Is there historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?
Ehrman vs Craig: Evidence for Resurrection
The debate centers on whether the resurrection of Jesus can be established as the best historical explanation for certain agreed-upon facts about Jesus' burial, empty tomb, postmortem appearances, and the origin of the disciples' belief in his resurrection.
The case is decided
It wasWilliam Lane Craig.
William Lane Craig defended 6 of 8 claims, while Bart Ehrman defended 4 of 8. The balance of successfully defended claims across the debate favors William Lane Craig.
Score panel — adjudicator
Crowd verdict
1 voteThe model called this for William Lane Craig. Who do you say won?
Spread the verdict
Receipts attached. The link opens at the deciding moment.
William Lane Craig
The resurrection of Jesus is the best historical explanation for four well-established facts: Jesus' burial, the discovery of his empty tomb, his postmortem appearances, and the origin of the disciples' belief in his resurrection.
- Claims raised8
- Defended6
- Refuted2
- Unanswered0
- Concessions0
- Fallacies (weighted)0.6
Bart Ehrman
Historians cannot establish the resurrection of Jesus as a probable historical event because miracles are inherently improbable and cannot be verified by historical methodology, which is limited to naturalistic explanations.
- Claims raised8
- Defended4
- Refuted4
- Unanswered0
- Concessions2
- Fallacies (weighted)1.0
Definitional alignment
When the same word means two different things, the entire exchange becomes contestable. Below: every term where the debaters did not agree on a definition.
- historical evidencenot alignedWilliam Lane Craig
Facts about the past that are accessible to the historian and can be explained by various hypotheses, including miraculous ones if they best fit the evidence.
Bart EhrmanEvents that can be established as probable based on contemporary, independent, and disinterested sources, excluding supernatural explanations.
high
- resurrectionnot alignedWilliam Lane Craig
A supernatural event in which God raised Jesus from the dead, leaving an empty tomb and resulting in physical appearances to his disciples.
Bart EhrmanA theological interpretation of Jesus' vindication by God, possibly involving visions or legendary developments rather than a physical rising from the dead.
high
- miraclenot alignedWilliam Lane Craig
An event caused by the direct intervention of God, which can be inferred as the best explanation for certain historical facts.
Bart EhrmanA highly improbable event that cannot be established by historical methodology due to its supernatural nature.
high
- criteria of authenticitynot alignedWilliam Lane Craig
Historical criteria such as multiple attestation, early sources, and embarrassment that establish the probability of certain facts about Jesus.
Bart EhrmanTools used to evaluate the historical reliability of sources, which often reveal inconsistencies and legendary developments in the gospel accounts.
medium
Another case?
Try the next debate.