I would have a hard time being a Christian if Jesus Christ's resurrection were a farce. The resurrection is proof that Christ's sacrifice was accepted by the Father. Without the resurrection, the claims of achievement of His sacrificial death would be reduced greatly. It would logically lead me to wonder about Vicarious Atonement as a whole. "From the standpoint of an apologetic for Christian theology, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God stands or falls with the question of His bodily resurrection. . . . The resurrection, therefore, is properly considered a proof of the person of Christ, His deity, Messiahship, and His power to save from sin" (John Walvoord, Jesus Christ Our Lord, pg. 191). The belief of the resurrection is a non-negotiable for all Christians.
The resurrection was one of the most prominent aspects of teaching used by the apostles in the New Testament and the early Church. If the resurrection was a farce, I highly doubt the commitment of the early Church to Christ would be taken to the point of martyrdom. The Resurrection also separates Christianity from all other religions and cults. The resurrection is proof that Christianity offers the only living God. "If Christ did not rise from the dead then, of course, He would not be alive to do all His post resurrection ministries. His ministry would have ended at His death. We would not, therefore, have a High-Priest now, an Intercessor, Advocate, or Head of the church. Furthermore, there would be no living Person to indwell and empower us (Rom. 6:1-10; Gal. 2:20)” (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, pg. 308).
If the resurrection is a farce, then scripture and Christianity does not pass the law of non-contradiction. In John 14:1-4, John writes that Jesus promises to prepare a place for the disciples, how can we believe this if Jesus is dead and buried in the tomb? How can He prepare a place for us, when He doesn't have a place for Himself? Thus, all hope for our resurrection and place in Heaven/New Jerusalem is not logically grounded. I join the sentiments of Mike Licona, Dr. Dave Johnson, and surely many others; if Christianity is false, let's find the truth. If the resurrection is a farce, then Christianity is not the truth as Jesus claims in John 14:6. Paul writes to the Romans that the resurrection shows proof that Jesus is the Son of God in 1:4.
The resurrection is essential in our salvation. Without it, where do we place our hope? (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, pg. 308)."The resurrection was God's receipt for Calvary. Christ died to discharge our heavy debt of sin, and that all claims were fully met is evidenced by His triumph over man's last enemy" (Herbert Lockyer, All the Doctrines of the Bible, pg. 53). Even the disciples that literally followed Jesus had no faith in Jesus after His death until His resurrection. Think about the ones on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the angel reminding Mary of the promise of the resurrection at the empty tomb (Luke 24: 5-8), and Thomas still questioning the other disciples until he saw for himself (John 21:24-29). I highly doubt those that were martyred would have been tested to death for a farce. The swoon theory, Judas or Simon of Cyrene being crucified instead of Christ, the body being stolen, or any other theory would have been exposed by at least one of the disciples when pressured by death.
Keep in mind, the New Testament we read today would not have been written were the resurrection not true, as most of the writing makes the resurrection a vital part of the message. Other men claimed to be the Messiah near that time, and they were exposed as frauds when they were not resurrected. Those men are highly unknown now, as I assume Jesus would be were it not for His resurrection. It is much more logical to cling to faith when the facts line up in your favor. I find it hard to believe anyone would still be a Christian if it were proven Jesus was not resurrected, mainly because Christianity wouldn't have made it 2,000 years without the resurrection. I believe if the truth were in something other than the Resurrection of Jesus, so would be our faith.
