Chapter 9: The Historic Crux of the Problem Summary and Analysis

The profound conviction that Christ had risen from the grave was initially shared by a small group of people. It was not just two "hysterical" women who came to believe that he had risen, it was the entire body of disciples. Word about the phenomenon rose quickly and was rapidly spread far and near by. But the news originated from a small group of simple, common people - not kings or those of high rank. It would almost seem impossible but that was what happened.

It was seven weeks after the Crucifixion that the first public statement of the resurrection was made. But it was forty years between the events that Luke wrote about it in Acts. Although witnesses had died, the elapsed allowed time for the legend to...