Philosopher C. Behan McCullagh provides the following approach to evaluate and compare multiple competing explanations that try to account for a given set of facts. This method will turn out to be crucial in evaluating what explanation accounts best for the minimal historical facts pertaining Jesus’ resurrection. At page 19 of the book “Justifying Historical…
How Is a Fact Deemed Historical
In our previous article “Introducing the Structure of the Historical Argument for the Resurrection of Jesus” we briefly saw the minimal facts from which historians start to discuss what happened to Jesus after his death and how these same historians try to provide viable explanations in light of these facts. Lets now see what are…
Introduction to the Structure of the Historical Argument for the Resurrection of Jesus
So, how is the issue of Jesus’ resurrection approached by modern Christian apologists? The argument for the Resurrection as normally presented stands on several historical facts that are so well historically attested to be considered by the majority of historians to have occurred beyond a reasonable doubt[1]. These facts are certain episodes concerning Jesus and…
Does Psychological Reductionism Prove Materialism and an Enumeration of Possible Materialistic Arguments
Quite some time ago I received the following question: “Does psychological reductionism prove materialism?”. The question is very confusing and, in my opinion, shows multiple misunderstandings on how certain premises lead to certain conclusions. Lets start by defining some terms. Materialism is defined as the claim that “only matter exists” (which I define as “absolute…
Perchè l’Apologetica è Importante?
Cos’è l’apologetica? La parola apologetica deriva dal greco “apologhìa”, e significa letteralmente “discorso di difesa” L’apologetica, in un contesto cristiano, è la difesa razionale della Fede. In genere, può essere sviluppata filosoficamente, scientificamente e storicamente. Nel passato, fu principalmente usata dai padri della Chiesa e scrittori ecclesiastici per rispondere alle prime eresie cristologiche. Le prime…
Criticizing Hume’s Objection to the Cosmological Arguments
The various types of Cosmological arguments (like the first, second and third way of T. Aquinas, the Kalam cosmological argument, the Leibnizian argument and the Platonic argument from composite entities) all start from considerations of the Universe. The universe can be defined as the physical object made of all physical objects. Such broad definition encompasses…
Preliminary Considerations on the Evidentialist Approach to the Resurrection of Jesus
Before starting to talk about how it can be proven that Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead, I believe it is necessary to make some preliminary remarks so that the non-acquainted reader will subsequently fully appreciate the power and the importance of showing how Jesus, from a historical point of view, truly rose from…
The Message of the Gospel
What are the Gospels? What would we say about the Gospels to a loved one who does not know Jesus? What is the essence of these books that changed the course of history? We must start by considering what the word “Gospel” itself means: it derives from old English “god spel” meaning “good news.”[1] What…
How Robert J. Spitzer Makes his Case for Christianity
Robert J. Spitzer is a brilliant Catholic priest and apologist. In the past few years he wrote a series of four books that represent his case for Christianity. The books are “Finding True happiness”, “The Soul’s Upward Yearning”, “God so loved the World” and “The Light Shines On in the Darkness”. Spitzer’s case for Christianity…
CONFIDENT FAITH 