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Is Easter Unbelievable? Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story
Did Jesus rise from the dead? This book explores the miracle at the heart of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an extraordinary thing to believe. Such a supernatural event is the stuff of make-believe, many think. Yet millions of Christians around the world believe that Jesus' resurrection was a real, historical event. Indeed, "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" and Christians are "of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15) In this concise book, respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin outlines the evidence that Jesus really did rise from the dead and why it's the best news ever.
64 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2023
37 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca McLaughlin
43 books527 followersRebecca McLaughlin (PhD, Cambridge University) is the cofounder of Vocable Communications, a communications consulting and training firm. She is also a regular contributor to the Gospel Coalition and previously spent nine years working with top academics at the Veritas Forum, which hosts forums on college campuses with conversations that pursue answers to life's hardest questions.
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March 24, 2023
4.5. Simple but superb.
April 7, 2023
“Whether you think that hope of everlasting life is pure naivety or you’re wondering if there might just be a God who has a plan for your life, this book is for you.”
Is Easter unbelievable?
Yes, and I believe it.
It’s unbelievable because it was a miracle and beyond our imagination. I believe it, not only because I trust God and his Word, but because there is historical evidence to support it.
This is a very short (60 pages) and practical book to give a brief overview of why we can believe such an unbelievable thing as a resurrection.
It is the sequel to McLaughlin’s book ‘Is Christmas Unbelievable?’ in which she looks at the miracle of the virgin birth and the person of Jesus.
There is a little overlap in this book as she also addresses the person of Jesus (obviously).
Here are the four questions she poses:
1. Is Jesus’s life historical?
2. Is Jesus’s death ethical?
3. Is Jesus’s resurrection credible?
4. Is Jesus’s offer desirable?
To the first point she talks about extra-biblical sources that talk of Jesus and his crucifixion and the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts, addressing (and debunking) the theory of The Da Vinci Code which claims the Bible was censored to present a certain political agenda.
To the second point she addresses people’s questioning how a good God could punish people for their sin or how the death of an innocent man could be a good thing. She helps us look at the world and reflect on what sin is and our role in it. She also reminds us that Jesus willingly and lovingly chose to go to the cross. It was not an involuntary slaughter. It was a personal sacrifice of love. For us.
(FYI- there is a spoiler in there for the movie No Time to Die if that matters to you…)
To the third point she presents four ‘exhibits’ that give the resurrection credibility:
- The Outbreak (the spread of Christianity, the diversity of Christianity)
"How a man born into a subjugated ethnic group in an obscure Roman province— who lived poor, died young, who never wrote a book, raised an army, or sat on a throne— has come to be the most impactful human in all human history does require some kind of explanation.”
- The Message (the fundamental need of the resurrection for the basis of Christianity, the disciples willingness to die for their beliefs countering the theory that they made it up)
- The Romans (the efficiency and thoroughness of the Romans in their killing methods countering the theory that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross)
"Jesus’ crucifixion was by far the most high-profile that day. The idea that the soldiers botched the job and what the disciples witnessed was a resuscitation and not a resurrection is at best implausible.”
- The Women (the fact that all four Gospels list women as the first witnesses of the resurrection which was culturally and historically considered unreliable)
To the fourth point she talks about the person of Jesus, his love for us, his promises to us, and the real meaning of heaven.
“If heaven is primarily a place to which we might be sent— like some fabulous vacation destination in the sky— the claim that only those who trust in Jesus ‘go to heaven’ seems unfair. But Jesus says he is the destination. Those who turn to Jesus now will find themselves with Jesus for eternity. Those who don’t want Jesus now won’t get him for eternity.”
There is just one pretty big thing I thought was missing from point three: The Body. McLaughlin didn’t talk at all about how no one was able to produce the body of Jesus when it would have been very important to for those who wanted to put down the spread of a miracle. I think this is a very compelling argument to include.
If the disciples hid the body, would they have given their lives for that lie? And if it was someone else, it would have probably been more beneficial to produce the body to the searching public than keep it a secret.
Easter is in a few days as I write this. Easter has largely been hijacked by rabbits and eggs. It may also be one of the few times people actually attend church. Which is great— but if we haven’t surrendered our whole lives to the One who surrendered his for us, it’s all meaningless.
Church isn’t what saves us. Christ is.
Eggs being associated with Easter originally started because an egg is a sign of new life. Out of that egg comes a new animal, a new life. Similarly, belief in Christ, his miraculous birth, his perfect life, his sacrificial death, and his miraculous resurrection gives US new life. We are reborn into the family of God, resting in the power, love, and faithfulness of our Creator.
“If Jesus did come back to life, it means the Maker of all time and space has stepped into the universe for love of you. It means that you were worth his death and that he wants you in his life. It means you are more seen and known and loved than you could dare to hope and that the greatest offer ever made is sitting on the table, waiting for you to take it up.”
Happy Easter everyone!
Other books by Rebecca McLaughlin:
Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion
Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels
Is Christmas Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask about the World’s Most Famous Story
Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
Is Easter unbelievable?
Yes, and I believe it.
It’s unbelievable because it was a miracle and beyond our imagination. I believe it, not only because I trust God and his Word, but because there is historical evidence to support it.
This is a very short (60 pages) and practical book to give a brief overview of why we can believe such an unbelievable thing as a resurrection.
It is the sequel to McLaughlin’s book ‘Is Christmas Unbelievable?’ in which she looks at the miracle of the virgin birth and the person of Jesus.
There is a little overlap in this book as she also addresses the person of Jesus (obviously).
Here are the four questions she poses:
1. Is Jesus’s life historical?
2. Is Jesus’s death ethical?
3. Is Jesus’s resurrection credible?
4. Is Jesus’s offer desirable?
To the first point she talks about extra-biblical sources that talk of Jesus and his crucifixion and the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts, addressing (and debunking) the theory of The Da Vinci Code which claims the Bible was censored to present a certain political agenda.
To the second point she addresses people’s questioning how a good God could punish people for their sin or how the death of an innocent man could be a good thing. She helps us look at the world and reflect on what sin is and our role in it. She also reminds us that Jesus willingly and lovingly chose to go to the cross. It was not an involuntary slaughter. It was a personal sacrifice of love. For us.
(FYI- there is a spoiler in there for the movie No Time to Die if that matters to you…)
To the third point she presents four ‘exhibits’ that give the resurrection credibility:
- The Outbreak (the spread of Christianity, the diversity of Christianity)
"How a man born into a subjugated ethnic group in an obscure Roman province— who lived poor, died young, who never wrote a book, raised an army, or sat on a throne— has come to be the most impactful human in all human history does require some kind of explanation.”
- The Message (the fundamental need of the resurrection for the basis of Christianity, the disciples willingness to die for their beliefs countering the theory that they made it up)
- The Romans (the efficiency and thoroughness of the Romans in their killing methods countering the theory that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross)
"Jesus’ crucifixion was by far the most high-profile that day. The idea that the soldiers botched the job and what the disciples witnessed was a resuscitation and not a resurrection is at best implausible.”
- The Women (the fact that all four Gospels list women as the first witnesses of the resurrection which was culturally and historically considered unreliable)
To the fourth point she talks about the person of Jesus, his love for us, his promises to us, and the real meaning of heaven.
“If heaven is primarily a place to which we might be sent— like some fabulous vacation destination in the sky— the claim that only those who trust in Jesus ‘go to heaven’ seems unfair. But Jesus says he is the destination. Those who turn to Jesus now will find themselves with Jesus for eternity. Those who don’t want Jesus now won’t get him for eternity.”
There is just one pretty big thing I thought was missing from point three: The Body. McLaughlin didn’t talk at all about how no one was able to produce the body of Jesus when it would have been very important to for those who wanted to put down the spread of a miracle. I think this is a very compelling argument to include.
If the disciples hid the body, would they have given their lives for that lie? And if it was someone else, it would have probably been more beneficial to produce the body to the searching public than keep it a secret.
Easter is in a few days as I write this. Easter has largely been hijacked by rabbits and eggs. It may also be one of the few times people actually attend church. Which is great— but if we haven’t surrendered our whole lives to the One who surrendered his for us, it’s all meaningless.
Church isn’t what saves us. Christ is.
Eggs being associated with Easter originally started because an egg is a sign of new life. Out of that egg comes a new animal, a new life. Similarly, belief in Christ, his miraculous birth, his perfect life, his sacrificial death, and his miraculous resurrection gives US new life. We are reborn into the family of God, resting in the power, love, and faithfulness of our Creator.
“If Jesus did come back to life, it means the Maker of all time and space has stepped into the universe for love of you. It means that you were worth his death and that he wants you in his life. It means you are more seen and known and loved than you could dare to hope and that the greatest offer ever made is sitting on the table, waiting for you to take it up.”
Happy Easter everyone!
Other books by Rebecca McLaughlin:
Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion
Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels
Is Christmas Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask about the World’s Most Famous Story
Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
March 30, 2024
A wonderful little book on why Christians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. McLaughlin does a great job of taking rather lofty topics and summarizing them down to understandable pieces. This is a great little walk through of the major points of why for centuries Christians have believed in the truth of the resurrection. I also enjoyed the Harry Potter references (how British millenial of Rebecca) and I was not expecting the spoiler for James Bond: No Time to Die.
March 31, 2023
This is a great little book - only 64 pages. But if you want a clear understanding about what Easter is really about - the gospel - then read it!
January 16, 2023
This short, highly readable apologetics resource addresses four key questions that people should ask to fully understand the Easter story and the Christian faith. These questions are about the historicity of Jesus's life, whether or not a sacrificial death for other's sins is ethical, if the resurrection claim is credible, and if Jesus's offer of eternal life through himself is even desirable. Rebecca McLaughlin answers these questions with thoughtful reflections, explanations from Scripture, and references to scholarly historical writings from both secular and Christian authors.
This concise booklet is about sixty pages long, and it is a quick, easy read for people who are curious about the Christian faith. Because the book is very brief, it does not touch on every possible objection, but it provides a basic introduction to show why the Easter story is far more plausible than most modern, secular people would think. There are much more in-depth resources available for skeptics who want to explore their complex questions and doubts, but this will be a great introduction for people who are passively curious or are reading this at a friend's behest, and don't feel invested enough to read something longer.
This book is a great evangelism resource, and it will also appeal to Christians who want to better understand and articulate the basis for their beliefs. However, people who have already read McLaughlin's other works should be aware that this book presents many of the same arguments and examples that she has already used elsewhere. She uses them afresh in a new context here, and it doesn't feel overly repetitive, but people who have already read McLaughlin's full-length works should be aware that they have already experienced most of this book's foundational material.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This concise booklet is about sixty pages long, and it is a quick, easy read for people who are curious about the Christian faith. Because the book is very brief, it does not touch on every possible objection, but it provides a basic introduction to show why the Easter story is far more plausible than most modern, secular people would think. There are much more in-depth resources available for skeptics who want to explore their complex questions and doubts, but this will be a great introduction for people who are passively curious or are reading this at a friend's behest, and don't feel invested enough to read something longer.
This book is a great evangelism resource, and it will also appeal to Christians who want to better understand and articulate the basis for their beliefs. However, people who have already read McLaughlin's other works should be aware that this book presents many of the same arguments and examples that she has already used elsewhere. She uses them afresh in a new context here, and it doesn't feel overly repetitive, but people who have already read McLaughlin's full-length works should be aware that they have already experienced most of this book's foundational material.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2023
I received this book today at Church, and I felt the need to read it in its entirety, immediately. I'm a non-believer, but I'm very moved by the message of the gospel. I sat down at a coffee shop and read the whole thing (just 50 pages though) in one sitting. These are just initial thoughts upon which I intend to ruminate after reading a couple more times.
The book elaborates on the story of resurrection from an areligious, rational perspective, catering to a non-believer's skepticism of the miracle. The aim is to "show that the resurrection claim is plausible," and "not to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus rose from the dead." A very important distinction to be made, as most skepticism arise from scientific "impossibilities," such as creationism, resurrection, and other unbelievable phenomena (turning water into wine, healing lepers, etc). By switching the point of contention from impossibility to improbability, the author allows skeptics to listen to and follow the story, without the roadblock of factchecking a book written 2,000 years ago - thank you!
First, it is very likely that Jesus actually lived. The Romans corroborate his existence through their own historical account. The Romans were afraid of Jesus, thereby acknowledging his social/political/religious (?) formidability. He clearly walked the roads of Jerusalem and gathered a force to be reckoned with, hence the crucifixion. No contest.
The Easter story also includes a character named the Centurion (mentioned by the pastor, not by the book). One of many puppets of the Roman Empire and a non-believer, he watches as Jesus dies at the cross and recognizes that his death (and life) is unnatural. Unnatural in the sense that there appears to be agony but no desperation for life, a sadness found not in his own situation but for those left behind. The Centurion was a crucifixion veteran. He should know the expression of man facing imminent death, but couldn't find it in Jesus. I would also be in shock, perhaps in disbelief. But again, this doesn't seem impossible, just highly improbable. A statistical outlier doesn't mean that it never happened. We choose to ignore it to facilitate human understanding. But how can humans understand God in the first place?
Interestingly, the accounts of His resurrection are sourced from women, whose words were virtually meaningless at the time. I agree with the author that if the OG Christians had a separate political agenda, this would be a decisively horrible tactic to convince the world of anything. The Bible, if anything, is well-written. The authors knew how to move people. Selecting women as the witness of a literal miracle would work too much against their intent to spread the gospel, and the authors would know that. Unless they were trying to use some kind of advanced reverse psychology tactic 2,000 years ago, the accounts are more likely to be true.
There are a couple important logical fallacies utilized by McLaughlin that discredit her, one of which is the appeal to authority. She keeps on saying that some of the smartest people in each generation believe in the resurrection. So what? I'm sure some of the smartest people in each generation DON'T believe in the resurrection. That wouldn't convince Christians that the resurrection is fiction either.
Another one is the bandwagon fallacy in Exhibit A: the Outbreak. Yes, Christianity is the biggest movement in history, but the rate at which Christianity spread throughout the world has nothing to do with its validity. It's definitely impressive, but it only speaks to the power of the message, not necessarily whether the message is true. A true skeptic would not swallow this at all.
Overall, quite convincing, but not perfect. 4/5.
My main question of Christianity lingers: why must one believe in God to do good for the world? Is there no way for us to do good without the faith? Does Christian theology argue that there is no good without God, or is it supposed to motivate us to do more good to "receive a ticket" to heaven? Then, is faith alone, without doing any good, sufficient?
At this moment (4/9/2023), I'm not convinced that I NEED to go to heaven. I simply want to do good to give people a chance to hope (especially children). Perhaps my definition of hope is a similar concept to heaven, and I'm just too empirical to realize that I'm actually Christian.
But here is the line from the Bible (and the book) that truly resonates within me:
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12).
I want to live like the Man depicted in the Bible. I know I can't, but it's the asymptote towards which I will ceaselessly strive (Kalanithi).
Whether the Bible is an empirical truth, I'm still not sure. Needs further investigation.
To be continued!
The book elaborates on the story of resurrection from an areligious, rational perspective, catering to a non-believer's skepticism of the miracle. The aim is to "show that the resurrection claim is plausible," and "not to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus rose from the dead." A very important distinction to be made, as most skepticism arise from scientific "impossibilities," such as creationism, resurrection, and other unbelievable phenomena (turning water into wine, healing lepers, etc). By switching the point of contention from impossibility to improbability, the author allows skeptics to listen to and follow the story, without the roadblock of factchecking a book written 2,000 years ago - thank you!
First, it is very likely that Jesus actually lived. The Romans corroborate his existence through their own historical account. The Romans were afraid of Jesus, thereby acknowledging his social/political/religious (?) formidability. He clearly walked the roads of Jerusalem and gathered a force to be reckoned with, hence the crucifixion. No contest.
The Easter story also includes a character named the Centurion (mentioned by the pastor, not by the book). One of many puppets of the Roman Empire and a non-believer, he watches as Jesus dies at the cross and recognizes that his death (and life) is unnatural. Unnatural in the sense that there appears to be agony but no desperation for life, a sadness found not in his own situation but for those left behind. The Centurion was a crucifixion veteran. He should know the expression of man facing imminent death, but couldn't find it in Jesus. I would also be in shock, perhaps in disbelief. But again, this doesn't seem impossible, just highly improbable. A statistical outlier doesn't mean that it never happened. We choose to ignore it to facilitate human understanding. But how can humans understand God in the first place?
Interestingly, the accounts of His resurrection are sourced from women, whose words were virtually meaningless at the time. I agree with the author that if the OG Christians had a separate political agenda, this would be a decisively horrible tactic to convince the world of anything. The Bible, if anything, is well-written. The authors knew how to move people. Selecting women as the witness of a literal miracle would work too much against their intent to spread the gospel, and the authors would know that. Unless they were trying to use some kind of advanced reverse psychology tactic 2,000 years ago, the accounts are more likely to be true.
There are a couple important logical fallacies utilized by McLaughlin that discredit her, one of which is the appeal to authority. She keeps on saying that some of the smartest people in each generation believe in the resurrection. So what? I'm sure some of the smartest people in each generation DON'T believe in the resurrection. That wouldn't convince Christians that the resurrection is fiction either.
Another one is the bandwagon fallacy in Exhibit A: the Outbreak. Yes, Christianity is the biggest movement in history, but the rate at which Christianity spread throughout the world has nothing to do with its validity. It's definitely impressive, but it only speaks to the power of the message, not necessarily whether the message is true. A true skeptic would not swallow this at all.
Overall, quite convincing, but not perfect. 4/5.
My main question of Christianity lingers: why must one believe in God to do good for the world? Is there no way for us to do good without the faith? Does Christian theology argue that there is no good without God, or is it supposed to motivate us to do more good to "receive a ticket" to heaven? Then, is faith alone, without doing any good, sufficient?
At this moment (4/9/2023), I'm not convinced that I NEED to go to heaven. I simply want to do good to give people a chance to hope (especially children). Perhaps my definition of hope is a similar concept to heaven, and I'm just too empirical to realize that I'm actually Christian.
But here is the line from the Bible (and the book) that truly resonates within me:
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12).
I want to live like the Man depicted in the Bible. I know I can't, but it's the asymptote towards which I will ceaselessly strive (Kalanithi).
Whether the Bible is an empirical truth, I'm still not sure. Needs further investigation.
To be continued!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
What an impressive job condensing tomes of material into a long pamphlet! I don’t know for sure that I would be satisfied with all of the answers she gives, but that’s probably not the purpose.
I was really satisfied with her explanations of why we all deserve punishment and what Jesus being “the Life” means in particular. I was encouraged by the reminders of the resurrection theology. And I’ll want to read the books that she quotes and uses. Give this one a read as a buzzer-beater refresher on the power of Easter, I read it in one sitting in about 50 minutes!
I was really satisfied with her explanations of why we all deserve punishment and what Jesus being “the Life” means in particular. I was encouraged by the reminders of the resurrection theology. And I’ll want to read the books that she quotes and uses. Give this one a read as a buzzer-beater refresher on the power of Easter, I read it in one sitting in about 50 minutes!
March 31, 2024
outstanding short read
The author does a good job discussing the resurrection of Jesus and pointing out items you might not have thought about before. (Or at least I had not). This is the first work by the author I have read but it is very good. Perhaps the only better way would be to read the gospels. I highly recommend this book.
The author does a good job discussing the resurrection of Jesus and pointing out items you might not have thought about before. (Or at least I had not). This is the first work by the author I have read but it is very good. Perhaps the only better way would be to read the gospels. I highly recommend this book.
March 6, 2025
Ein kompaktes Buch über 4 Fragen bezüglich der biblischen Ostergeschichte:
Ist das Leben Jesu historisch belegbar?
Ist der Tod Jesu ethisch begründbar?
Ist die Auferstehung Jesu historisch glaubwürdig?
Ist Jesu Angebot attraktiv?
Die Autorin adressiert die Fragen mit Argumenten und persönlichen Anekdoten. Trotz der kurzen Länge nicht oberflächlich, dennoch lädt das Thema zu mehr Tiefe ein.
Ist das Leben Jesu historisch belegbar?
Ist der Tod Jesu ethisch begründbar?
Ist die Auferstehung Jesu historisch glaubwürdig?
Ist Jesu Angebot attraktiv?
Die Autorin adressiert die Fragen mit Argumenten und persönlichen Anekdoten. Trotz der kurzen Länge nicht oberflächlich, dennoch lädt das Thema zu mehr Tiefe ein.
February 13, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
A very good and concise read on the fundamentals of Jesus’s resurrection. In an in impressive way, McLaughlin includes so many important truths into such a short book.
Would recommend to a skeptic or someone new to the faith.
A very good and concise read on the fundamentals of Jesus’s resurrection. In an in impressive way, McLaughlin includes so many important truths into such a short book.
Would recommend to a skeptic or someone new to the faith.
March 22, 2023
Phenomenal quick read!
May 21, 2023
Kort, enkel og fin til sitt bruk. Enkelt språk, enkelt oppbygd, tar med det viktigste. Behagelig lesning.
April 22, 2025
Fantastic short listen! Would recommend to anyone who isn’t yet a believer/anyone curious about Jesus. Hearing the gospel story never gets old 🥹
Read
August 29, 2025a very helpful little book
March 23, 2023
Concise, clear and clever. A solid little evangelistic book about central the historical events of the first Easter.
April 8, 2023
Great short, simple apologetics for Christianity.
March 27, 2023
Good short overview of people’s doubts about Easter.
March 27, 2024
The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week and it seemed fitting to me to read this book during this week as I reflect on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This is a very short book, both physically and in length, only 61 pages, so it was a quick read. This book gives a brief overview of the main story arc of Easter from an evangelical Christian perspective. It could be used during Holy Week in a devotional sense by reading the introduction and each of the four chapters over 5 days, though I don’t think that is really the intended purpose of the book. Here are some quotes from the book as well as some of my thoughts.
Introduction
“In Chapter 1, we’ll ask ‘Is Jesus’ life historical?’ Second, Christians believe that Jesus’ death wasn’t just an example of Roman brutality but that he’d planned to die as a substitute for sinners, to take the punishment we all deserve for turning against God. … So, chapter 2 will ask, ‘Is Jesus’ death ethical?’ … in chapter 3, we’ll ask the most Easter-ish question of all: ‘Is Jesus’ resurrection credible?’ Finally, in chapter 4, we’ll question whether Jesus’ offer of eternal life with him is even desirable.” pp9-10. These are very evangelical Christian ways of looking at the Gospel and readers from other Christian traditions may object that these are not the only Christian approaches to these doctrines, particularly the view presented on atonement.
Chapter 1: Is Jesus’ Life Historical
“By any reasonable historical measure, the Gospels have very good credentials – much better, in fact, than many documents we take to be reliable guides when it comes to the lives of other ancient figures. … There’s good reason to believe that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not enhance fact with fiction. Rather, they give us real access to eyewitness testimony about Jesus of Nazareth.” p25. I know that scholars are largely in agreement that Jesus was a “historical” figure but I think that the word “historical” ought to have been defined here and differentiated from Christian doctrines about Jesus.
Chapter 2: Is Jesus’ Death Ethical?
“When evils like the shooting [of 19 children] in Uvalde come into view, we might stop wondering, ‘What kind of God would punish people for their sin?’ and ask instead, ‘Where is the God of justice, and why doesn’t he step in?’ The answer that the Gospels give us to this question is twofold: he has, and he will.” p31. “As when my husband’s money canceled out my student debt [when we married], when Jesus died upon the cross he carried all the sin of those who put their trust in him.” pp35-36. “He [Jesus] loves us so much that he came not to be served, but to serve, and give his life up for our sake.” p38.
Chapter 3: Is Jesus’ Resurrection Credible?
“[Dr. Ian] Hutchinson explains that science cannot disprove the resurrection because miracles aren’t something that science is equipped to address.” p40. “My aim is simply to show that the resurrection claim is plausible.” p40. The author gives four reasons to consider the resurrection plausible: 1. Christianity spread rapidly by once cowardly disciples who became bold. 2. The Christian message from the beginning included the resurrection as its foundation. 3. The Roman soldiers were competent at killing by crucifixion and wouldn’t have “botched the job” of killing the “most high-profile crucifixion that day.” p45. 4. The first witnesses were women and it is improbable that women would be chosen as witnesses to persuade people of a story in that culture when their testimony wouldn’t be believed.
Chapter 4: Is Jesus’ Offer Desirable
“Heaven, in biblical terms, is not primarily a place. Rather, heaven is the full experience of relationship with Jesus as our Savior, lover, and Lord.” p53. “… God made us humans with an emotional capacity for intense romantic love and built it into our biology, so that the most faithful, tender, overwhelming love we can experience with another mere human would give us just a glimpse of Jesus’ love for us.” pp53-54. “Jesus’ offer is offensively exclusive. He doesn’t say that he’s one way to God; he says he is the only way by which humans can be right with God. But Jesus’ claim is also utterly inclusive because he says that anyone who trusts in him can have eternal life.” p57. “There is no third way, set apart for those who think they’re mostly decent people who don’t really need a Savior. There’s only everlasting life with Jesus or eternal, soul-destroying, hope-extinguished death.” p58. “The message of Easter is … that the King of all the universe has died for us, and that if we will trust him, he’ll one day bring us back to an embodied life – richer and fresher and more beautiful than anything we’ve felt on earth so far.” p59.
Many evangelical Christians will find this book to be a good brief summary of their doctrine of salvation and penal substitutionary atonement. Other Christians may wish the book offered more nuance and insight into a richer range of Christian perspectives but I suppose a very short book like this has only a narrow focus. On several occasions, the author used examples from contemporary books, movies, music, and TV shows that I had not seen or read. I think this will date the book and limit its usefulness. This book is probably best for someone who is looking for a short introductory overview of evangelical Christians’ beliefs about salvation and Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Introduction
“In Chapter 1, we’ll ask ‘Is Jesus’ life historical?’ Second, Christians believe that Jesus’ death wasn’t just an example of Roman brutality but that he’d planned to die as a substitute for sinners, to take the punishment we all deserve for turning against God. … So, chapter 2 will ask, ‘Is Jesus’ death ethical?’ … in chapter 3, we’ll ask the most Easter-ish question of all: ‘Is Jesus’ resurrection credible?’ Finally, in chapter 4, we’ll question whether Jesus’ offer of eternal life with him is even desirable.” pp9-10. These are very evangelical Christian ways of looking at the Gospel and readers from other Christian traditions may object that these are not the only Christian approaches to these doctrines, particularly the view presented on atonement.
Chapter 1: Is Jesus’ Life Historical
“By any reasonable historical measure, the Gospels have very good credentials – much better, in fact, than many documents we take to be reliable guides when it comes to the lives of other ancient figures. … There’s good reason to believe that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not enhance fact with fiction. Rather, they give us real access to eyewitness testimony about Jesus of Nazareth.” p25. I know that scholars are largely in agreement that Jesus was a “historical” figure but I think that the word “historical” ought to have been defined here and differentiated from Christian doctrines about Jesus.
Chapter 2: Is Jesus’ Death Ethical?
“When evils like the shooting [of 19 children] in Uvalde come into view, we might stop wondering, ‘What kind of God would punish people for their sin?’ and ask instead, ‘Where is the God of justice, and why doesn’t he step in?’ The answer that the Gospels give us to this question is twofold: he has, and he will.” p31. “As when my husband’s money canceled out my student debt [when we married], when Jesus died upon the cross he carried all the sin of those who put their trust in him.” pp35-36. “He [Jesus] loves us so much that he came not to be served, but to serve, and give his life up for our sake.” p38.
Chapter 3: Is Jesus’ Resurrection Credible?
“[Dr. Ian] Hutchinson explains that science cannot disprove the resurrection because miracles aren’t something that science is equipped to address.” p40. “My aim is simply to show that the resurrection claim is plausible.” p40. The author gives four reasons to consider the resurrection plausible: 1. Christianity spread rapidly by once cowardly disciples who became bold. 2. The Christian message from the beginning included the resurrection as its foundation. 3. The Roman soldiers were competent at killing by crucifixion and wouldn’t have “botched the job” of killing the “most high-profile crucifixion that day.” p45. 4. The first witnesses were women and it is improbable that women would be chosen as witnesses to persuade people of a story in that culture when their testimony wouldn’t be believed.
Chapter 4: Is Jesus’ Offer Desirable
“Heaven, in biblical terms, is not primarily a place. Rather, heaven is the full experience of relationship with Jesus as our Savior, lover, and Lord.” p53. “… God made us humans with an emotional capacity for intense romantic love and built it into our biology, so that the most faithful, tender, overwhelming love we can experience with another mere human would give us just a glimpse of Jesus’ love for us.” pp53-54. “Jesus’ offer is offensively exclusive. He doesn’t say that he’s one way to God; he says he is the only way by which humans can be right with God. But Jesus’ claim is also utterly inclusive because he says that anyone who trusts in him can have eternal life.” p57. “There is no third way, set apart for those who think they’re mostly decent people who don’t really need a Savior. There’s only everlasting life with Jesus or eternal, soul-destroying, hope-extinguished death.” p58. “The message of Easter is … that the King of all the universe has died for us, and that if we will trust him, he’ll one day bring us back to an embodied life – richer and fresher and more beautiful than anything we’ve felt on earth so far.” p59.
Many evangelical Christians will find this book to be a good brief summary of their doctrine of salvation and penal substitutionary atonement. Other Christians may wish the book offered more nuance and insight into a richer range of Christian perspectives but I suppose a very short book like this has only a narrow focus. On several occasions, the author used examples from contemporary books, movies, music, and TV shows that I had not seen or read. I think this will date the book and limit its usefulness. This book is probably best for someone who is looking for a short introductory overview of evangelical Christians’ beliefs about salvation and Jesus’ death and resurrection.
April 18, 2024
Simple but clear exploration of the happenings at Easter. Only 60’pages long. Great to give to a friend.
January 29, 2023
Is Easter Unbelievable? is a short booklet that asks four questions that everyone should ask about the Resurrection story:
1. Did Jesus really live in history? While there isn’t much debate about this at the academic level, there is a lot of popular level debate about the historicity of Jesus. A 2015 survey in the UK found that 40% of respondents either did not believe or were unsure of whether Jesus was a real person. McLaughlin briefly sketches the argument for the historicity of Jesus, focusing on the historicity of the Gospels to make the case. This is a good argument, but it introduces another layer of complexity. I think that making the case that all respected secular historians agree on the historicity of Jesus would have been a stronger argument. That is to say, people who doubt the historicity of Jesus are also going to doubt the historicity of the Gospels. By pointing to them as the primary proof of Jesus, McLaughlin makes the argument more difficult rather than simpler. Focusing on contemporary texts outside of Scripture that mention a historical Jesus would have made a stronger argument.
2. Is it fair for one person to die for another? This is more of a defense of the penal substitutionary theory of atonement than it is a defense of Christianity. Again, this is a weaker argument than I’d like to see, because not all forms of Christianity hold stronger to penal substitutionary atonement—including many early Church Fathers. Reducing the complexity of the atonement to a divine legal substitution, while that is the primary metaphor of atonement, is still just that—a metaphor. It is a fair defense of PSA, albeit weirdly James Bond heavy in its explanations. The length of the book prevents anything but a cursory overview.
3. How can a rational person believe Jesus rose from the dead? The answer that McLaughlin gives to this question is that Christianity exists, therefore Jesus was resurrected. Or, as she puts it, “Christianity without the resurrection would be like Disney’s Frozen without Elsa.” The strongest argument she gives that a mythologized Resurrection wouldn’t have placed women as the first eyewitnesses to it. But overall, her appeal goes mainly back to Scripture, ignoring that her intended audience already doubts the veracity of Scripture. Some stronger alternative arguments would have been that what is rational doesn’t always end up being what is true or that historically even Jesus’s enemies conceded that the tomb was empty.
4. Does anyone genuinely want to live forever? McLaughlin turns back to pop culture here, relying heavily on a Harry Potter metaphor—an interesting choice given the controversy surrounding the author of that series. Just about as much time is spent explaining the plot of the final book as it is talking about the meaning of eternal life. It’s an odd choice that doesn’t hit home for me.
The author of Is Easter Unbelievable? is Rebecca McLaughlin. She’s a smart person, having a PhD in English literature from Cambridge and a seminary degree from Oak Hill in London. She’s also the author of Confronting Christianity, Christianity Today's 2020 Beautiful Orthodoxy Book of the Year. I’ve not read any of her work other than booklet, but I have to assume it’s better than what I’ve read here. Is Easter Unbelievable? reads like a series of blog posts from a layperson typed up in book form. I get what this was trying to do, but I think it fails to engage. There are so many other similar products in this field—Lee Strobel’s The Case for the Resurrection being the standout—that there’s no reason to engage with subpar products.
1. Did Jesus really live in history? While there isn’t much debate about this at the academic level, there is a lot of popular level debate about the historicity of Jesus. A 2015 survey in the UK found that 40% of respondents either did not believe or were unsure of whether Jesus was a real person. McLaughlin briefly sketches the argument for the historicity of Jesus, focusing on the historicity of the Gospels to make the case. This is a good argument, but it introduces another layer of complexity. I think that making the case that all respected secular historians agree on the historicity of Jesus would have been a stronger argument. That is to say, people who doubt the historicity of Jesus are also going to doubt the historicity of the Gospels. By pointing to them as the primary proof of Jesus, McLaughlin makes the argument more difficult rather than simpler. Focusing on contemporary texts outside of Scripture that mention a historical Jesus would have made a stronger argument.
2. Is it fair for one person to die for another? This is more of a defense of the penal substitutionary theory of atonement than it is a defense of Christianity. Again, this is a weaker argument than I’d like to see, because not all forms of Christianity hold stronger to penal substitutionary atonement—including many early Church Fathers. Reducing the complexity of the atonement to a divine legal substitution, while that is the primary metaphor of atonement, is still just that—a metaphor. It is a fair defense of PSA, albeit weirdly James Bond heavy in its explanations. The length of the book prevents anything but a cursory overview.
3. How can a rational person believe Jesus rose from the dead? The answer that McLaughlin gives to this question is that Christianity exists, therefore Jesus was resurrected. Or, as she puts it, “Christianity without the resurrection would be like Disney’s Frozen without Elsa.” The strongest argument she gives that a mythologized Resurrection wouldn’t have placed women as the first eyewitnesses to it. But overall, her appeal goes mainly back to Scripture, ignoring that her intended audience already doubts the veracity of Scripture. Some stronger alternative arguments would have been that what is rational doesn’t always end up being what is true or that historically even Jesus’s enemies conceded that the tomb was empty.
4. Does anyone genuinely want to live forever? McLaughlin turns back to pop culture here, relying heavily on a Harry Potter metaphor—an interesting choice given the controversy surrounding the author of that series. Just about as much time is spent explaining the plot of the final book as it is talking about the meaning of eternal life. It’s an odd choice that doesn’t hit home for me.
The author of Is Easter Unbelievable? is Rebecca McLaughlin. She’s a smart person, having a PhD in English literature from Cambridge and a seminary degree from Oak Hill in London. She’s also the author of Confronting Christianity, Christianity Today's 2020 Beautiful Orthodoxy Book of the Year. I’ve not read any of her work other than booklet, but I have to assume it’s better than what I’ve read here. Is Easter Unbelievable? reads like a series of blog posts from a layperson typed up in book form. I get what this was trying to do, but I think it fails to engage. There are so many other similar products in this field—Lee Strobel’s The Case for the Resurrection being the standout—that there’s no reason to engage with subpar products.
April 9, 2023
I got given this one as a freebie, and enjoyed this. It's not the first book that I've read that has taken historical evidence, and evidence from the eyewitness accounts in the Bible, to give evidence that Jesus' resurrection was no fake, but it came up with some ideas I'd never thought of.
At one point, Rebecca McLaughlin mentions the Romans as "key witnesses" to what happened, which seems surprising, but points to the evidence that the Romans proved the Jesus died on the cross, disspelling any possible claims that He may have simply fainted.
I liked her explanations as to why the Gospels differ from each other, comparing the writers to witnesses about to give evidence in court. She argues that if they had given identical accounts, it would suggest that they were more likely to have agreed on what to say together. This shows that the Gospels were written from the point of view of individuals who witnessed different aspects of Jesus' life, and remembered different occurrences from the same events.
It was an encouraging read, and a good one for anyone looking into the Easter story.
At one point, Rebecca McLaughlin mentions the Romans as "key witnesses" to what happened, which seems surprising, but points to the evidence that the Romans proved the Jesus died on the cross, disspelling any possible claims that He may have simply fainted.
I liked her explanations as to why the Gospels differ from each other, comparing the writers to witnesses about to give evidence in court. She argues that if they had given identical accounts, it would suggest that they were more likely to have agreed on what to say together. This shows that the Gospels were written from the point of view of individuals who witnessed different aspects of Jesus' life, and remembered different occurrences from the same events.
It was an encouraging read, and a good one for anyone looking into the Easter story.
April 10, 2023
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25-26 (ESV)
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus said these words to Martha and to us at the grave of her brother Lazarus. That day, Jesus brought Lazarus from the grave with words. Weeks later, our Savior would himself rise from the grave. We celebrated that glorious event yesterday with Christians around the world. In this short book that I meditated on over the holiday weekend, Rebecca McLaughlin asks for questions about Easter:
1) Is Jesus' Life Historical?
2) Is Jesus' Death Ethical?
3) Is Jesus' Resurrection Credible?
4) Is Eternal Life With Jesus Desirable?
With references to current cultural icons like James Bond and Harry Potter, McLaughlin gives us a case for our hope beyond the grave. My celebration of the Resurrection was elevated and enhanced by this book. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared (C)for those who love him”— ~ I Cor. 2:9 (ESV)
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus said these words to Martha and to us at the grave of her brother Lazarus. That day, Jesus brought Lazarus from the grave with words. Weeks later, our Savior would himself rise from the grave. We celebrated that glorious event yesterday with Christians around the world. In this short book that I meditated on over the holiday weekend, Rebecca McLaughlin asks for questions about Easter:
1) Is Jesus' Life Historical?
2) Is Jesus' Death Ethical?
3) Is Jesus' Resurrection Credible?
4) Is Eternal Life With Jesus Desirable?
With references to current cultural icons like James Bond and Harry Potter, McLaughlin gives us a case for our hope beyond the grave. My celebration of the Resurrection was elevated and enhanced by this book. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared (C)for those who love him”— ~ I Cor. 2:9 (ESV)
April 27, 2023
I love this book! It gives a great explanation of the evidence for the resurrection, among other biblical truths, while engaging the reader with tangible examples. Definitely worth a read to strengthen your own faith or to challenge your beliefs.
Just a note: It's important to realize that while the resurrection and other biblical events are supported by a ton of scientific (or maybe not scientific...see Chapter 2) and historical evidence, it's important not to let the evidence be the basis of interpretation. We need to start with God's word.
I think that Rebecca did an excellent job with that. Her writing is very skillful and she helps clear up a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around the credibility of the gospel accounts and the gospel story.
This book is a must read.
Just a note: It's important to realize that while the resurrection and other biblical events are supported by a ton of scientific (or maybe not scientific...see Chapter 2) and historical evidence, it's important not to let the evidence be the basis of interpretation. We need to start with God's word.
I think that Rebecca did an excellent job with that. Her writing is very skillful and she helps clear up a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around the credibility of the gospel accounts and the gospel story.
This book is a must read.
March 29, 2024
Another entry-level Christian apologetic book by Rebecca McLaughlin, dealing with the Easter story and related events, is well worth reading!
The author draws from contemporary literature, (Harry Potter), films (James Bond) and ideas (Ehrman and Dawkins) to illustrate the reality of the events recorded in the Bible about Jesus' death and resurrection and answer 4 questions:
1. Is Jesus' Life Historical?
2. Is Jesus' Death Ethical?
3. Is Jesus' Resurrection Credible? and,
4. Is Jesus' Offer Desirable?
Her answers are well-argued and plausible.
I recommend this small book for your reading. A solid 4-star read!
The author draws from contemporary literature, (Harry Potter), films (James Bond) and ideas (Ehrman and Dawkins) to illustrate the reality of the events recorded in the Bible about Jesus' death and resurrection and answer 4 questions:
1. Is Jesus' Life Historical?
2. Is Jesus' Death Ethical?
3. Is Jesus' Resurrection Credible? and,
4. Is Jesus' Offer Desirable?
Her answers are well-argued and plausible.
I recommend this small book for your reading. A solid 4-star read!
April 25, 2023
I'm a bit late to the party, but this is pretty good. It's an impressively concise speedrun of a whole bunch of questions about the original Easter, and why those events are central to the Christian faith. McLaughlin writes in an engaging and irenic tone, and although this covers familiar ground (personally), I particularly appreciated the way she explained certain things (e.g. cultural implications of women as eyewitnesses). Pretty short, would make a decent conversation starter.
March 29, 2023
A snappy apologetic with accessible format for uncertain people and non-believers. I wasn't prepared for the hard lean into No Time to Die but fortunately, that is one of the five or so movies that has been released in the last 4 years that I have actually seen. I would encourage anyone curious about Easter and its "believableness" to spend an hour reading this short tract.
April 6, 2023
Our church encouraged us to pass this book out to neighbors and friends this Easter, so I wanted to read through it myself first. I really enjoyed this short and easy to read apologetic treatise. It was an excellent meditation to read on Holy Week and I will definitely pass out a few to neighbors and friends.
April 18, 2023
I read the Christmas version of this a few months ago, and like that one, this was a quick, simple read giving the rundown of the Easter story and some evidence to support it. While it doesn't go into a whole lot of detail, it does give a general summary as well as provide a bibliography in the back with sources for further reading.
March 30, 2024
“If heaven is primarily a place to which we might be sent, like some fabulous vacation destination in the sky, the claim that “only those who trust in Jesus go to heaven" seems unfair. But Jesus says he is the destination. Those who turn to Jesus now will find themselves with Jesus for eternity. Those who don't want Jesus now won't get him for eternity.” 4.5/5!
April 6, 2024
A short concise exposition on the rationality of the resurrection. The book addresses the four following questions:
1. Did Jesus really live in history?
2. Is it fair for one person to die for another?
3. How can a rational person believe Jesus rose from the dead?
4. Does anyone genuinely want to live forever?
1. Did Jesus really live in history?
2. Is it fair for one person to die for another?
3. How can a rational person believe Jesus rose from the dead?
4. Does anyone genuinely want to live forever?
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