Critiquing: Why Is It Said That Jesus Was the First to Rise from the Dead?

January 2, 2023 | #STRask – Stand to Reason

Historical Context — Resurrection Concept — Logical Flow — Claim Substantiation — Counter-Examples

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Introduction

The content discusses the theological assertion that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead despite accounts of others being resurrected in biblical texts. The discussion includes an exploration of the differences between Jesus’ resurrection and other resurrections, explanations of related theological concepts, and comparisons with other religions.

Outline of Logical Analysis

1. Definition and Context
2. Resurrection Types
3. Assertions and Substantiation
4. Logical Fallacies
5. Cognitive Biases
6. Testing Alleged Promises

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Definition and Context

The content begins by addressing a fundamental question: “Why is it said that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead if he already raised Lazarus?” This establishes the need for distinguishing between different types of resurrections mentioned in biblical texts. The speakers state, “there’s a difference between Jesus’ resurrection and the other resurrections because… they were just resuscitated.”

Explanation:

This section sets up a clear distinction, positing that Jesus’ resurrection was unique because it involved a transformation from mortality to immortality. This introduces the primary claim that Jesus’ resurrection is fundamentally different in nature from other resurrections.

Resurrection Types

The discussion differentiates between resuscitation (returning to a mortal life) and resurrection (transformation to immortality), citing 1 Corinthians 15: “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” This scriptural reference is used to support the claim that Jesus’ resurrection was the first of its kind.

Explanation:

By distinguishing between these two types of resurrections, the content attempts to resolve the apparent contradiction regarding Jesus being the “first” to rise. However, the logical coherence of this distinction relies heavily on theological definitions that may not be universally accepted outside the religious context.

Assertions and Substantiation

The assertion that Jesus’ resurrection was unique is substantiated by references to biblical texts and interpretations by religious scholars. The speakers mention various passages and interpretations, such as the transformation described in 1 Corinthians 15, to justify the claim.

Explanation:

While the content provides scriptural references, the logical coherence of these assertions depends on accepting specific theological interpretations. For a non-believer or someone not adhering to these religious texts, the arguments may appear circular, as they rely on the authority of the very texts under question.

Logical Fallacies

Several logical fallacies can be identified in the content:

1. Special Pleading: The content makes an exception for Jesus’ resurrection by redefining the term without equally scrutinizing other claims of resurrection. The statement “Jesus was the very first transformation of a human body from mortal to immortality” introduces a special condition unique to Jesus, without providing independent evidence for this special status.
2. Appeal to Authority: Heavy reliance on scriptural authority (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15) to substantiate claims without providing empirical or independent verification.
3. Circular Reasoning: The content assumes the truth of biblical accounts to validate the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection, which in turn is used to validate the biblical accounts.

Explanation:

These fallacies undermine the logical coherence of the arguments by relying on assumptions and authorities that may not be universally accepted or independently verifiable.

Cognitive Biases

The content exhibits several cognitive biases, including:

1. Confirmation Bias: The speakers selectively use scriptural references that support their theological stance while ignoring or downplaying contradictory evidence.
2. Anchoring: Initial assertions about the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection set a cognitive anchor that influences the subsequent interpretation of all related evidence and arguments.

Explanation:

These biases affect the objectivity and logical coherence of the content, as they lead to a selective and skewed interpretation of the evidence.

Testing Alleged Promises

The content mentions promises of resurrection and immortality for believers, which are grounded in theological interpretations. To assess these promises logically, one would need to devise methods to empirically test them, which poses significant challenges.

Explanation:

1. Empirical Testing: The promise of resurrection and transformation to immortality lacks empirical methods for verification within a scientific framework. Thus, the degree of belief in these promises should be proportionate to the evidence available, which is currently testimonial and scriptural rather than empirical.
2. Degree of Belief: The content should emphasize the principle that one’s degree of belief should be mapped to the degree of the available evidence. Without empirical evidence, strong belief in these promises may not be logically justified.

Conclusion

The content provides a theological explanation for the claim that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead. However, the logical coherence of this explanation is weakened by reliance on theological definitions, scriptural authority, and cognitive biases. The distinction between resuscitation and resurrection, while central to the argument, may not be persuasive without accepting the underlying theological premises.

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If you have any questions or would like to discuss these arguments further, feel free to engage in the comments section below.