1 Corinthians 15:12-19: If Christ is not Raised...

October 28, 2026 Blaize

Doubters are nothing new, and they even exist in the church. Even Paul dealt with skepticism among some Corinthians regarding the resurrection of the dead. He poses a logical argument: if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection? He explains the critical implications of denying the resurrection, stating that if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then Christian preaching is in vain, and so is the faith of believers, that the apostles are false witnesses about God, they are still in their sins, that those who have died believing in Christ have perished forever, and that Christians are to be pitied.

In ancient Greek culture, beliefs about the afterlife were varied and often centered around a concept of the soul's immortality rather than bodily resurrection. The concept of resurrection, as understood in Christian theology, was relatively alien to Greek thought. Paul encounters Stoics and Epicureans in Athens who scoffed at the idea of bodily resurrection (Acts 17:22-34). Stoics did not believe in a personal, bodily resurrection as understood in Christian doctrine. Instead, they held that the soul was a material entity that persisted after death but would eventually be reabsorbed into the logos at the end of a cosmic cycle. Epicureanism was fundamentally materialistic, positing that the universe was composed entirely of atoms and void. Epicurus taught that the soul was made up of atoms just like the body and that it dissipated upon death. The idea of a bodily resurrection would have been completely at odds with Epicurean beliefs since they did not believe in any form of personal existence after death. Other Greek beliefs had similar views. So, it is no surprise that there might be some people in the Corinthian church that did not believe in resurrection. They were trying to reconcile their Greek worldviews with the Christian belief in a bodily resurrection. Some just downright denied it.

Suffice it to say, skepticism is nothing new. Engaging with modern skeptics about the resurrection requires an approach that acknowledges the different lenses through which historical faith and empirical science view the world. In conversations with skeptics, it is beneficial to incorporate philosophical reasoning to discuss the plausibility of resurrection within the concept of a theistic worldview where a divine being has the power to create and alter the universe. Employing Dr. Gary Habermas's "Minimal Facts Approach" can be effective, as it relies on historical facts about the resurrection that are widely accepted by scholars, including skeptics. Also, personal testimonies, while not empirical evidence, serve as powerful narratives that illustrate the life-changing impact of belief in Christ.

While it’s the Spirit of God that leads one to conviction, Christians are the instruments God uses the to delivery his message. Engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue that weaves together historical, philosophical, and personal experiences can offer a holistic perspective on the subject, but a skeptic cannot be argued into heaven. Skeptics need to personally deal with the Gospel and see their need for a savior. It is crucial to maintain a respectful discourse when discussing such matters while emphasizing that the resurrection is undergirded by historical evidence. Listening to skeptics, understanding their viewpoints, and responding thoughtfully is key to meaningful dialogue. Belief in the resurrection, though historically substantiated, invokes a heart change that confronts one with sin. But for those who do accept it, it can change a life!

Lord, help those who doubt you see the power of the resurrection, and believe!