Within Reason #107 Dale Allison - Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?
102 snips
Jun 12, 2025 
Dale Allison, an esteemed American historian and Christian theologian at Princeton Theological Seminary, dives deep into the resurrection of Jesus. He tackles the historical complexities and the interplay between faith and evidence. Their discussion spans the nuances of collective resurrection claims and the implications of varying Gospel narratives. Allison also explores the intriguing cultural symbolism of 'the 12' and presents alternative theories of resurrection, prompting listeners to reflect on the intersection of belief and history.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Limits of Historical Proof on Resurrection
- Historians can't prove or disprove Jesus's resurrection as it's a theological claim beyond historical proof.
- Historical evidence is pliable and interpreted through worldviews, making conclusions dependent on prior beliefs.
Historical Probability Is a Spectrum
- Some historical facts about Jesus, like his crucifixion, are highly probable, but others, like the empty tomb, are debatable.
- Historical probability exists on a spectrum, and reasonable people disagree on certain resurrection details.
Ancient Body Theft and Ambiguity
- Body theft was common in antiquity, making an empty tomb ambiguous for resurrection claims.
- Historical evidence does not conclusively prove or disprove Jesus's resurrection; the data is limited and open to interpretation.