Iron Sharpens Iron: Gary Habermas: Did The Resurrection Happen?

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Gary Habermas: Did The Resurrection Happen?

Gary R. Habermas, (Ph.D., Michigan State University), Distinguished Research Professor and chair of the department of philosophy and theology at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia (see www.liberty.edu), will address the theme: "Did the Resurrection Happen?".

In 2004 philosopher Antony Flew, one of the world's most prominent atheists, publicly acknowledged that he had become persuaded of the existence of God. Not long before that, in 2003, Flew and Christian philosopher Gary Habermas debated at a Veritas Forum at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Habermas, perhaps the world's leading expert on the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, made the case for rational belief on the basis of the reliability of the evidence. Flew argued for alternative understandings of the evidence presented.

For two-and-a-half decades Flew and Habermas have been in friendly dialogue about the plausibility of the resurrection and the existence of God. The book, "Did the Resurrection Happen?", edited by David J. Baggett, presents the full content of their third and final debate, as well as transcripts of the Q & A session with the audience afterward. Also included are a 2004 conversation between Habermas and Flew shortly after Flew's much-publicized change of position, as well as editor David Baggett's assessment and analysis of the full history of Habermas and Flew's interactions.

Dr. Habermas is the author, coauthor or editor of twenty-seven books including Resurrected?: An Atheist & Theist Dialogue , The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus , The Risen Jesus & Future Hope , The Resurrection: Heart of New Testament Doctrine and The Resurrection: Heart of the Christian Life.

Co-hosting this broadcast is Pastor Ron Glass of Wading River Baptist Church in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY, who has done his own thorough research on the writings of contemporary Atheists and Agnostics.

Dr. Gary R. Habermas's personal web site is http://www.garyhabermas.com/.

2 comments:

Steven Carr said...: Gary Habermas claims it is a fact that James was converted by the resurrection of Jesus and that James was a witness to the resurrection.

Acts 1
14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the believers....Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

So the very brothers of Jesus were believers and they weren't even in consideration to become witnesses to the resurrection?

So how did James make the list in 1 Corinthians 15?

Why did Luke introduce the brothers of Jesus only to immediately disqualify them as even being considered as candidates for witnesses to the resurrection?

How could James have been a witness to the resurrection, when Acts says the entire church discussed the matter and chose between two other people to become witnesses to the resurrection?

If Habermas is convinced of the resurrection by the 'fact' that James, the brother of Jesus was converted by this alleged resurrection, why does Acts rule out every brother of Jesus as a candidate for the position of 'witness to the resurrection'?; September 10, 2009 at 2:57 AM
Roland Tignor said...: Why did Luke introduce the brothers of Jesus only to immediately disqualify them as even being considered as candidates for witnesses to the resurrection?

Because of Peter's standard here:
"Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

Remember that Jesus family thought He was beside Himself. A subtle way of saying, "He's crazy". (Mark 3:21 NIV)
By us knowing that, His brothers weren't with Him through the time Peter mentioned, thus disqualifying them.; September 23, 2009 at 4:51 PM

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