LOB Team I http://www.livingourbible.com I Thursday 13th November 2025
Introduction
During Day 1 of The God Summit 2025 at ICGC Christ Temple East, Dr. Benjamin Shaw delivered one of the most faith-strengthening and intellectually rigorous teachings of the entire conference. Shifting topics with Dr. Harry Allotey for the second session, Dr. Shaw unpacked what he called “the central question of Christianity.”
“Of all questions, the most important one for Christianity is the resurrection,” he declared.
With engaging storytelling, personal testimony, and a masterclass in historical reasoning, he showed why the resurrection is not wishful thinking, not blind faith, and not emotional hype—but a historical event supported by overwhelming evidence.
1. The Resurrection Is the Core of Christian Hope
Dr. Shaw began by pointing to 1 Peter 3:15, reminding believers that apologetics is not about arguing: “It doesn’t have anything to do with apologising… we want to be able to give reasons for the hope we have.”
He then took the audience to 1 Corinthians 15—what he called “the resurrection chapter.”
Paul’s summary of the gospel includes three essentials:
- Christ died
- He was buried
- He rose again
“This is the gospel of first importance,” Dr. Shaw emphasised. If the resurrection is true, Christianity stands. If it is false, “our faith is in vain.”
2. The Historical Evidence Is Overwhelming
Dr. Shaw outlined six “minimal facts”—historical points accepted by the vast majority of scholars, including sceptics:
i. Jesus died by crucifixion
Reported in at least 12 independent historical sources, including the hostile Roman historian Tacitus. Dr. Shaw quoted him directly: “Christus… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of Pontius Pilate.”
ii. The disciples believed they saw the risen Jesus
He cited 1 Corinthians 15 as an early eyewitness record: “He appeared to Cephas… to the Twelve… to more than 500… to James… and last of all to me also.” These include people who doubted and denied Him—Peter, James, and Paul.
iii. These reports are extremely early
Dr. Shaw stressed: “This creed dates to the early 30s AD. That’s a long way from 325.”
iv. The disciples were transformed
The same men who fled in fear became bold preachers willing to die for their testimony. “Liars make poor martyrs,” he reminded the audience.
v. Jesus’ sceptical brother James converted
Mark and John show James did not believe in Jesus, yet he later became a church leader.
Why? “He appeared to James.”
vi. Paul, the persecutor, became Paul the apostle
Dr. Shaw quoted Paul’s own words describing his sufferings—beatings, stonings, imprisonment—asking, “What makes someone change from persecutor to preacher? He tells us: he saw the risen Jesus.”
Conclusion
After presenting the evidence, Dr. Shaw quoted Acts 17:31: “God has furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
The resurrection is not just historical truth—it is a call to commitment.
“If Jesus rose from the dead, we cannot ignore that fact,” he insisted. And he urged believers to respond like Paul: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
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