The Resurrection of Jesus is a historically probable event.

I have neglected to respond to the testimonies contention because I wanted a bit more room for my brief arguments (which, if space permitting, I will defend). II. THE EMPTY TOMB My partner cites the Bible as evidence using the following verses: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; and 1 Corinthians 15. Finally, he attempted to prove the empty tomb via witnesses. The question is begged: how reliable are these “witnesses” and these verses. Moreover, how reliable is Paul? To tackle the empty tomb argument, I will argue these points: (1) Paul, and the gospels, is unreliable; and (2) It is probable that Jesus was removed from the tomb PAUL, AND THE GOSPELS, ARE UNRELIABLE To summarize this point, I would like to point out several errors that I have with the scriptures, especially the gospels: (1) The ending of Mark 16 is unreliable; (2) The gospels contradict each other in the manner of the resurrection; and (3) Paul has been known to change his story and contradicts himself at times. The ending of Mark is disputed What I am about to say is not very popular with mainstream Christianity. The ending of the gospel of Mark is disputed; and thus making it an unreliable source (especially towards the end). A. Manuscripts Mark 16:9-19 does not appear in the two oldest manuscripts. [1] Moreover, church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Ammonius show no knowledge of such an ending. Church fathers testify that the section is absent from Greek copies of Mark known to them (see, for example, Jerome, Epist, cxx. 3, ad hebidiam). [2] B. Variant readings There is another ending to the gospel of Mark which shows that the current edition to Mark 16:9-19 isn’t necessarily reliable. This is the ending[3]: "But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that had been told. And after this Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. " With these two problems (and I can list more), it is apparent that the gospel of Mark is unreliable. This, I believe, is a nail in the coffin of the testimonies. If the gospels are unreliable, then so are the testimonies concerning the testimonies and the empty tomb. A world of contradictions Paul tells us that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christianity. If the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity, then why can’t the gospels get their story straight? Let’s examine some of these contradictions. A. What day was Jesus crucified[4]? after noon on the day before the Passover meal Mid-morning on the day after the Passover meal John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover. John 19:14-16 And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. Mark 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that you may eat the Passover? Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. See also Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-25 Because the synoptic gospels insist that the Last Supper was a Passover Seder, they must maintain that the crucifixion occurred on the first day of Passover. [5] In summary, here is a chart referencing the time of Jesus death[6]: Mark's Chronology Luke's Chronology John's Chronology Thursday Night (14th/15th Nisan) Taken to high priest's house Night trial of the Sanhedrin Thursday Night (14th/15th Nisan) Taken to high priest's house No mention of trial at night. Thursday Night (13th/14th Nisan) Taken to the high priest'sfather-in-law'shouse. Informal interrogation by the high priest. Friday Morning (15th Nisan) "consultation" with scribes, elders and the whole council Handed Jesus to Pilate Trial before Pilate Friday Morning (15th Nisan) Trial before the Sanhedrin Handed Jesus to Pilate Trial before Pilate Friday Morning (14th Nisan) Handed Jesus to Pilate Trial before Pilate The gospels contradict each other; therefore they are unreliable. Paul contradicts himself and is known to change his story A. Paul admitted to lying. Romans 3:7(KJV) – For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 1 Corinthians 9:19-23(KJV) – (19) For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (20) And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (23) And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 2 Corinthians 12:16(KJV) – But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. B. The conversion accounts contradict each other 1. Acts 9:7 says that they “stood speechless, hearing the voice. ” 2. Acts 22:9 says that they “did not hear the voice. .” 3. Acts 26:14 says “When we had all fallen to the ground…” The contradictions are twofold: 1. Did Paul’s men hear a voice? 2. Did Paul’s men stand or fall to the ground? JESUS MAY HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TOMB From Roman and Jewish sources; we know that in Jesus’ time the Jews had the full practice of their own laws. Consequently, the laws required that any crucified man (in this case, Jesus), is to be taken down Friday, that he be placed in a temporary tomb for the Sabbath, and that he is to be buried. Saturday night in a special graveyard reserved for criminals. [7] Gerald Siegal notes[8]: “To bury the body of a crucified individual (or anyone else) was a matter of obeying G-d’s commandments. Joseph…was probably the Sanhedrian burial agent whose task it was to take care of the crucified once they had died. The approach of the Sabbath and the concern that a corpse not be left hanging after sunset (Deut. 21:23). Added to Joseph’s concern to get the body of Jesus (and the other two victims) buried before the sunset…[O]ne may assume that if it is true that the other two individuals were crucified along with Jesus and died the same day, that Joseph may have asked for their bodies as well. ” Tackling the empty tomb argument left me with no space. The appearances and the testimonies can be combined with the same issues above; namely, they are unreliable. Conclusion The gospels are unreliable. [1] The Nelson KJV study Bible notes on Mark 16:9-19 [2] Slick M. (n. d. ) “Baptism and Mark 16:16” CARM: The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Retrieved: 23 April 23, 2012 [3] Ibid. [4] From the Skeptic’s Annotated Bible . http://skepticsannotatedbible.com... [5] Singer, T. “Crucifixion Chart. ” Outreach Judaism. . http://www.outreachjudaism.org... [6] Tobin, P. The Rejection of Pascal's Wager: A Skeptics Guide To Christianity. . http://rejectionofpascalswager.net......; [7] Carrier, R. “Jewish Law, the Burial of Jesus, and the Third Day. ” . http://www.infidels.org... [8] . http://jewsforjudaism.org...