Why Men Don't Want a Resurrection

The Resurrection, by Gustav Dore

We are nearing the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, a day which also remembers one of the most debated subjects regarding the Christian religion. What is the debate? Namely, whether or not Christ truly rose from the grave. Men have been at war with the concept of the resurrection since the earliest days of the church, when enemies of Christ suggested that either the entire thing was made up, or that the apostles fabricated it all. Even during the time of the apostles it was an issue, as the apostle Paul wrote: "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain" (1 Co 15:14).

It continues to this day, with every theory in existence. Some claim Christ was dug up by dogs and eaten. Some claim that the resurrection was just a copy of pagan myths. Some claim Christ just fainted and got better. Either way, many desire to disprove and deny that the resurrection ever took place, and therefore belief and celebration of it is entirely irrelevant in our day-to-day affair.

Why is this? Why do so many protest the resurrection? What is underlying it all? Let's imagine, just for the sake of argument, that the resurrection happened beyond all question. What would that mean?

If there was a resurrection, it means the events around the resurrection are true.

If there was a resurrection, it means that Christ was raised from the dead.

If there was a resurrection, it means Christ truly did appear to the disciples and countless others.

If there was a resurrection, it means Christ truly did ascend to the heavens and sit at the right hand of the Father.

If there was a resurrection, it means Christ's claims of divinity were true.

If there was a resurrection, it means Christ is King and Lord of all.

If there was a resurrection, it means that God exists.

If there was a resurrection, it means that men will one day be held accountable to God for their sins.

...and there, underlying it all, is why men do not want a resurrected Christ...because it means they will have to submit to God and follow Him rather than their own passions. God bless.