Can We Prove That Jesus Rose from the Dead?

Proving historical events, like Jesus’s resurrection, is fundamentally different from proving scientific facts. Since historical events cannot be reproduced or observed directly, absolute proof is impossible. However, strong historical evidence can offer a high degree of certainty, though it still requires faith—especially for something as extraordinary as the resurrection.

Faith and Assumptions Matter

Our assumptions about the world greatly influence how we interpret evidence.

• Believers in a personal God who created the universe are more likely to accept the resurrection as fact.

• Skeptics who see the world as governed by chance and time tend to reject the possibility of supernatural events.

Historical Evidence Is Strong

While historical evidence is not the same as scientific proof, the evidence for Jesus’s resurrection is extensive and credible. Thousands of books and articles, such as The Resurrection of the Son of God by N. T. Wright, explore this evidence in depth.

Faith Complements Evidence

Faith in Jesus’s resurrection is both intellectual and spiritual—it involves trusting the historical evidence and believing in the meaningfulness of life. As Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Conclusion

While absolute proof is unattainable, the overwhelming historical evidence makes belief in Jesus’s resurrection far from a blind leap of faith. It requires a heart open to the possibility of a personal, supernatural God who intervenes in human history.