Atheist

Is there historical evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus?

Historians across the spectrum agree on several bedrock facts — Jesus' death by crucifixion, the disciples' sincere belief they saw him risen, and the rapid rise of the Church — which the Resurrection explains far better than any naturalistic alternative proposed to date.

Catholic teaching

The Church proclaims the bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ as a true historical event, the central fact of the Christian faith, attested by eyewitnesses and transforming fearful disciples into martyrs willing to die for what they claimed to have seen.

Biblical foundation

Paul, writing within roughly twenty years of the event, hands on an early creed listing multiple eyewitnesses, including 'more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive' (1 Cor 15:3-8), an invitation to verification unlikely to be included if it were fabricated.

Scripture references

1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Luke 24:36-43
Acts 1:3

Historical evidence

Non-Christian sources like Josephus and Tacitus confirm Jesus' execution under Pilate, and the sudden emergence of a Jewish sect worshiping a crucified man as divine, along with the empty tomb tradition unrivaled by any competing burial account, are widely regarded as facts any adequate historical theory must explain.

The Church Fathers

I know and believe that he was in the flesh even after the resurrection... he ate and drank with them as a being of flesh.
St. Ignatius of Antioch · Letter to the Smyrnaeans 3 (c. AD 107)

Catechism

CCC 639
CCC 643

Related topics