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Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus
A pivotal contribution to the history of apologetics.
Gary Habermas has spent a career defending the historicity and truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus. But his earliest writing on Jesus' resurrection has been unavailable to the broader public, until now.
In Risen A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus , readers will encounter Gary Habermas' foundational research into the historicity of the resurrection. With a new, extensive, introductory essay on contemporary scholarship regarding the resurrection, Habermas shows how the questions surrounding the historicity of the resurrection and arguments raised by critics are perennially important for Christian faith.
Gary Habermas has spent a career defending the historicity and truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus. But his earliest writing on Jesus' resurrection has been unavailable to the broader public, until now.
In Risen A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus , readers will encounter Gary Habermas' foundational research into the historicity of the resurrection. With a new, extensive, introductory essay on contemporary scholarship regarding the resurrection, Habermas shows how the questions surrounding the historicity of the resurrection and arguments raised by critics are perennially important for Christian faith.
- GenresTheology
376 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2021
31 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Gary R. Habermas
62 books171 followersGary R. Habermas was born just outside Detroit, Michigan in 1950. Although he was raised in a Christian home and attended a German Baptist Church, he began having serious doubts about Christianity. For more than ten years, he faced uncertainty about key Christian claims and searched other religious and non-religious systems, especially naturalism. His studies centered chiefly on investigating various world views, occasionally getting close to what he thought might be the proper approach. During this time, as he explains, "The last thing I did at night was recall what I had learned that day to further my search. Early the next morning, it seems that the first thing that came to my mind was, 'Where did I end my studies last night?'" This continued for several agonizing years.
Habermas' interest in the field of apologetics began early in his search when he realized that some religions made claims that could be either verified or falsified. He searched the various religious systems to ascertain if such claims were verifiable. After several years of study, he concluded that very few religious claims could be substantiated. Habermas concluded that even Christianity suffered in this sense. While certainly having more evidential considerations than other religions, there always seemed to be a reason why the argument could not be finalized. While Habermas conducted detailed studies of creation, fulfilled prophecy, archaeological discoveries, and the general reliability of the Old and New Testaments, he constantly asked if there were any "clinching" arguments.
Habermas especially studied the notion that Eastern metaphysics were confirmed by modern physics, as well as the claims made on behalf of various other holy books. He reached the conclusion that, while religious beliefs could be held by faith, they usually lacked great evidence and could not be "proven" to be true.
Habermas' search frequently took the form of debating with various adherents of non-Christian as well as Christian views. He told practitioners from both camps that their beliefs were not as grounded as they would like to believe. He especially recalls one encounter where an exasperated Christian told him that he was filled with demons! Once his mother called to see how he was doing, and he announced that he thought he was close to becoming a Buddhist, his latest research interest.
During this time, one subject began to appeal to Habermas more than any other. He realized that if Jesus had been raised from the dead, this would go a long way toward arguing that Christianity was true. He also studied the founders of the major religious traditions, along with some lesser-known figures, to see if there were other claims that someone had been raised from the dead. He was especially interested in whether there was any historical or other evidence for any such teachings. Thirteen hundred note cards later, he was well on the way to a lifetime of being "hooked" on the subject of Jesus' resurrection. Little did he know that his early years of study on this subject would begin his fascination with the topic that has never lessened.
Habermas continued his search as an undergraduate student at Tyndale College, graduating in 1972 with three majors and three minors. Foremost on his mind was still the question of whether it could be known if there was any basis for answering his religious questions. Habermas went straight to graduate school at the University of Detroit. Studying philosophical theology and the world religions, he earned an M.A. a year later, in 1973. After taking a year off, he pursued a Ph.D. at Michigan State University, graduating two years later (1976), after keeping up a torrid study schedule.
Studying relevant historical, philosophical, and religious questions, Habermas proposed an historical study of Jesus’ resurrection (what else?) for his Ph.D. dissertation. The topic was approved by his committee, but he was told specifically that he could not
Habermas' interest in the field of apologetics began early in his search when he realized that some religions made claims that could be either verified or falsified. He searched the various religious systems to ascertain if such claims were verifiable. After several years of study, he concluded that very few religious claims could be substantiated. Habermas concluded that even Christianity suffered in this sense. While certainly having more evidential considerations than other religions, there always seemed to be a reason why the argument could not be finalized. While Habermas conducted detailed studies of creation, fulfilled prophecy, archaeological discoveries, and the general reliability of the Old and New Testaments, he constantly asked if there were any "clinching" arguments.
Habermas especially studied the notion that Eastern metaphysics were confirmed by modern physics, as well as the claims made on behalf of various other holy books. He reached the conclusion that, while religious beliefs could be held by faith, they usually lacked great evidence and could not be "proven" to be true.
Habermas' search frequently took the form of debating with various adherents of non-Christian as well as Christian views. He told practitioners from both camps that their beliefs were not as grounded as they would like to believe. He especially recalls one encounter where an exasperated Christian told him that he was filled with demons! Once his mother called to see how he was doing, and he announced that he thought he was close to becoming a Buddhist, his latest research interest.
During this time, one subject began to appeal to Habermas more than any other. He realized that if Jesus had been raised from the dead, this would go a long way toward arguing that Christianity was true. He also studied the founders of the major religious traditions, along with some lesser-known figures, to see if there were other claims that someone had been raised from the dead. He was especially interested in whether there was any historical or other evidence for any such teachings. Thirteen hundred note cards later, he was well on the way to a lifetime of being "hooked" on the subject of Jesus' resurrection. Little did he know that his early years of study on this subject would begin his fascination with the topic that has never lessened.
Habermas continued his search as an undergraduate student at Tyndale College, graduating in 1972 with three majors and three minors. Foremost on his mind was still the question of whether it could be known if there was any basis for answering his religious questions. Habermas went straight to graduate school at the University of Detroit. Studying philosophical theology and the world religions, he earned an M.A. a year later, in 1973. After taking a year off, he pursued a Ph.D. at Michigan State University, graduating two years later (1976), after keeping up a torrid study schedule.
Studying relevant historical, philosophical, and religious questions, Habermas proposed an historical study of Jesus’ resurrection (what else?) for his Ph.D. dissertation. The topic was approved by his committee, but he was told specifically that he could not
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 23, 2025
The Vital Question of Christianity
Gary Habermas is a renowned Biblical scholar and perhaps the preeminent authority on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the subject of his PhD dissertation. Virtually any apologetics work considering the Resurrection will make significant reference to Habermas’ scholarship. In his excellent book “Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation into the Resurrection of Jesus”, Habermas presents the core of his research on this world-changing event. The topic could scarcely be of greater importance, for, as the Apostle Paul noted, “And if Christ has not been raised, then . . . your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV) The entire Christian faith rests on this critical issue. It’s as profound as that, and that makes this book so vital.
“Risen Indeed” begins with an overview of the historical and philosophical arguments regarding the Resurrection, particularly from the late 18th Century (Enlightenment) through the 20th Century. This period was marked by scientific materialism that essentially made no allowance for the supernatural. Much of the thinking was influenced significantly by philosopher and historian David Hume, who a priori dismissed the possibility of miracles as being scientifically or historically unprovable or impossible. Hence, as Habermas points out, those foundational arguments against the Resurrection rest on circular logic. One wonders how this obvious and basic logical flaw could have been overlooked for so long by so many scholars. Habermas makes the case instead for seeking the best explanation for the Resurrection without setting arbitrary (let alone logically flawed) restrictions.
He then critically examines the two most prominent historical arguments against proof of the Resurrection, namely that it did not actually occur, and that if it did occur it could not be proven. These arguments have been postulated in various forms and details, and Habermas methodically and thoroughly disproves them. He then makes a convincing case for a third possibility, i.e., that the Resurrection did occur and can be evidenced as the most likely explanation for the historical facts.
Habermas’ investigation is comprehensive and convincing. However, as such, it might be in greater depth than the casual reader needs. Other apologetics works also address the historical veracity of the Resurrection effectively if not with Habermas’ thoroughness. “Risen Indeed”, as excellent as it is, may best be recommended for those in search of a highly scholarly approach to this vital topic. But those who seek this depth will not be disappointed.
Gary Habermas is a renowned Biblical scholar and perhaps the preeminent authority on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the subject of his PhD dissertation. Virtually any apologetics work considering the Resurrection will make significant reference to Habermas’ scholarship. In his excellent book “Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation into the Resurrection of Jesus”, Habermas presents the core of his research on this world-changing event. The topic could scarcely be of greater importance, for, as the Apostle Paul noted, “And if Christ has not been raised, then . . . your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV) The entire Christian faith rests on this critical issue. It’s as profound as that, and that makes this book so vital.
“Risen Indeed” begins with an overview of the historical and philosophical arguments regarding the Resurrection, particularly from the late 18th Century (Enlightenment) through the 20th Century. This period was marked by scientific materialism that essentially made no allowance for the supernatural. Much of the thinking was influenced significantly by philosopher and historian David Hume, who a priori dismissed the possibility of miracles as being scientifically or historically unprovable or impossible. Hence, as Habermas points out, those foundational arguments against the Resurrection rest on circular logic. One wonders how this obvious and basic logical flaw could have been overlooked for so long by so many scholars. Habermas makes the case instead for seeking the best explanation for the Resurrection without setting arbitrary (let alone logically flawed) restrictions.
He then critically examines the two most prominent historical arguments against proof of the Resurrection, namely that it did not actually occur, and that if it did occur it could not be proven. These arguments have been postulated in various forms and details, and Habermas methodically and thoroughly disproves them. He then makes a convincing case for a third possibility, i.e., that the Resurrection did occur and can be evidenced as the most likely explanation for the historical facts.
Habermas’ investigation is comprehensive and convincing. However, as such, it might be in greater depth than the casual reader needs. Other apologetics works also address the historical veracity of the Resurrection effectively if not with Habermas’ thoroughness. “Risen Indeed”, as excellent as it is, may best be recommended for those in search of a highly scholarly approach to this vital topic. But those who seek this depth will not be disappointed.
May 30, 2023
The most through refutation of the three naturalistic explanations for the resurrection is presented by Habermas. These three are: swoon theory, vision/hallucination theory, and the legend/myth theory. Then he goes on to show that based on the totality of the historical evidence the conclusion that best explains all the known facts is that Jesus Christ did indeed come bodily out of that tomb in a supernatural way. He also addresses the false assumption that somehow “science” and our “modern scientific worldview” precludes any concept of the supernatural or miracles.
September 10, 2024
It was a great book that looks at the main arguments that oppose the physical resurrection of Jesus and shows why these views lack evidence and probability.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews