📅 Today is Day 9 of The 20-Day Easter Special
Each day leading up to Easter, we’re critically examining a core resurrection claim—one at a time—through the lens of reason, evidence, and The God Question’s Core Philosophy.
“A wise man… proportions his belief to the evidence.”
— David Hume, Of Miracles
The resurrection of Jesus is often called the cornerstone of Christian faith. But it’s also one of its most extraordinary claims—a literal return from the dead after three days in a tomb. For skeptics and critical thinkers alike, this raises a profound question:
What counts as sufficient evidence for a miracle?
🧠 The Core Issue: Miracles vs. Natural Law
Philosopher David Hume, writing in the 18th century, offered perhaps the most famous critique of miracles. He didn’t say miracles were impossible—only that belief in them is never reasonable, because a miracle is, by definition, a violation of the laws of nature.
If natural law tells us that dead people stay dead, then any claim to the contrary carries a heavy burden of proof.
“No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish.”
— Hume
In other words: Is it more likely that someone rose from the dead, or that people misunderstood, misremembered, or misreported what happened?
🕵️ Eyewitnesses and Testimonies
Christian apologists often cite eyewitness testimony as compelling evidence for the resurrection:
- “Hundreds saw Jesus after the resurrection.”
- “The disciples were willing to die for this belief.”
But Hume would respond: So have people of many other religions.
Martyrdom is not unique to Christianity. Nor is sincere belief the same as truth.
If thousands believed Elvis was still alive after his death—or saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary—does that make those claims true?
🧬 Extraordinary Claims, Extraordinary Evidence
The idea that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence is now a bedrock principle of rational inquiry. And resurrection—bodily, irreversible, and historical—is among the most extraordinary of all.
What would such evidence need to look like today?
- DNA tests?
- Global video footage?
- Medical records?
Now ask: Does the ancient claim of Jesus’ resurrection meet even a basic standard of ordinary evidence?
🧩 A Deeper Question
Let’s flip the script.
If someone told you today that their dead uncle came back to life, visited people, then ascended into the sky—but that the event occurred decades ago, was written down in texts filled with theological embellishments, and was supported only by the faithful—would you believe them?
If not, why make an exception for Jesus?
📺 For Further Exploration
YouTube: David Hume – On Miracles | Explained and Critiqued
This short, insightful video unpacks philosopher David Hume’s devastating critique of miracles—focusing on why testimony alone is never enough to override the natural laws we know through experience. With clear explanations of probability theory, bias in religious contexts, and common counterarguments, this video challenges viewers to confront a tough question: Is it ever rational to believe in a miracle?
📅 Note: After we wrap up our 20-Day Easter Special on April 20, we’ll return to our regular schedule of posting three times a week:
- Tuesdays & Fridays – our structured explorations through all 11 blog categories
- Sundays – our Sunday Special Feature, where we critically respond to real-world religious claims in real time
We hope you’ll stay with us as we continue asking bold questions and applying reason to faith.
God or Delusion? 