Regarding Dr. Paul Maier’s April article, “Reservations about the Resurrection?”: In answering the argument of the Resurrection doubters that “if the Resurrection really happened, it would have been reported exactly and with no disagreements,” the author cites the example of his students, whose powers of observation miserably failed the test Dr. Maier planted by having one of his colleagues come disguised into his classroom to interrupt his lecture.
An interesting story, yes, but certainly Dr. Maier does not intend to leave the impression that the classroom episode is analogous to what happened to the four evangelists, does he? To say so would be to imply, “Yes, the evangelists did get the details all mixed up, but the event did take place.” We dare never defend the fact of the Resurrection at the expense of assuming that the Spirit’s inspired penmen had a case of blurred remembrance.
Indeed, it might have been wise to mention in the article that ultimately we do not accept the Resurrection story on the basis of historical “proofs.” Just as it is “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God” (Heb. 11:3), so it is by faith we accept the fact of our Lord’s victory over death, faith in that inspired Word which brings us to Him.
Dr. Karl L. Barth
Wauwatosa, Wis.
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