The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

There a lot of long, scholarly monographs on the resurrection. (NT Wright, Mike Licona) Bass gives us a fun to read, condensed version of where modern scholarship is on the facts of the post mortem experiences of the disciples and the two most popular responses to it. I liked that he talked a bit regarding how the risen Jesus changes lives now. This book presents great scholarly, historical evidence of the resurrection but with an evangelistic flair.

Well written, easy to read, and yet has sufficient depth and references. Bass argues that the following facts, primarily from First Corinthians 15, are supported by 99% of scholars (making them bedrock facts) (p. 200–201): 1) "Jesus’ death by crucifixion in the early 30s ad 2) The claim that Jesus was raised from the dead is an unparalleled, threefold innovation: a) A positive interpretation of a crucified Messiah b) A two-stage resurrection, Jesus raised now and the general resurrection still to come c) This crucified Messiah is claimed to be divine, even Lord of the world 3) Soon after Jesus’ death, his earliest followers, individuals and a group of them, and at least one enemy became convinced he appeared to them alive, raised from the dead 4) These individuals included Peter, James, Paul and at least one group, the Twelve 5) Paul was a Pharisaic persecutor of the church who was transformed into Paul the apostle after becoming convinced Jesus appeared to him 6) Paul spent two weeks as Peter’s houseguest and also met with James, Jesus’ brother 7) Within a decade of Jesus’ death, either after Paul’s conversion or at this meeting with Peter and James in Jerusalem, Paul received traditions and hymns concerning the historical Jesus. The most significant of these was the creedal tradition quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, which could be multiple independent traditions, but even so they all date to within a decade of Jesus’ death 8) Last, these individuals who believed Jesus appeared to him formed a movement that, through love and sacrifice, went on to overtake the Roman Empire, built Western civilization, and continues to extend overwhelming influence over nations and billions of individuals across the world. This movement known as Christianity is still the largest religion in the world." Bass thinks that the best explanation of these facts is that "Jesus did in fact rise from the dead" (201). Although he considers other views and considers the question of miracles. Recommended.