When confronted with the early Christians’ testimony about the Resurrection of Jesus, it is natural to question whether it’s credible. A healthy skepticism demands we test the claims of such an event.

One way to do so is by offering alternative explanations, and one such explanation is the conspiracy theory. This theory purports to explain Christ’s empty tomb and postmortem appearances by claiming the early Christians stole the body and made up the Resurrection story.

I don’t fault anyone for raising the question, because it's natural to ask, “Did the early Christians make this stuff up?”

I contend they did not, and there are two good reasons to think so.

The apostolic dilemma

First, the early Christians had nothing to gain and...

In parishes throughout the world on Sunday, Catholics will proclaim, “He is risen, alleluia!”

But what will most have in their minds when they speak those words? Probably something along these lines: “Jesus Christ rose from the dead and now in him we have the forgiveness of sins. Thank you, Lord!” Or maybe, “Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This is a fact of history. Christianity isn’t a cleverly devised story but is really true!”

These are both good responses. But I want to add something here. When we look at the teaching of the New Testament, the Resurrection isn’t only about the forgiveness of sins, or evidence that Jesus was who he claimed to be and who the earliest believers claimed him to be. In the New Testament, the Resurrection is about power to become holy....