As an encouragement to believers and to "put a stone in the shoe" of non-believers, I want to offer evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is no longer dead. Lent begins this year on Wednesday, Feb 13, so in less than two weeks we'll be in the season when we remember (officially) the death and resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps you and I will have the opportunity to discuss this with an unbelieving friend or co-worker. I hope to give you something to talk about.

I will be using what has been called the "minimal facts" approach to the Resurrection. There are certain facts that are agreed to by the overwhelming majority of New Testament scholars, not all of which are Christians. A surprising number of scholars are not Christians themselves, and approach the Bible simply as a work of literature by humans. But even the majority of these skeptical scholars agree to the "minimal facts" of the Resurrection as I'll be sharing them.

Next time: Minimal Fact #1