Climbing the Two-Rung Ladder to Jesus:
From Atheism to Theism, and from Theism to Christ
Of course, life is a nuanced affair filled with infinite variety. But I think the journey from agnostic to Christian in the foundational sense is as simple as a two-rung ladder. If you step onto this ladder, two short steps will get you believing in and exploring the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The first rung involves moving from atheism to theism, recognizing a higher power’s existence. The second rung takes us from general theism to specific belief in Jesus Christ, grounded in the historical evidence for His resurrection. Let’s face it, if Jesus really rose from death after being executed by the Romans, life is very different than it appears on the surface and Jesus is worth knowing about.
Ready to climb?
The First Rung:
From Atheism to Theism
The Universe’s Origin: A Case for Theism
One of the most compelling arguments for theism is the origin of the universe. The cosmos, with its complexity and order, suggests a cause beyond naturalistic explanations. Each of the arguments below powerfully suggests a creator. Taken together, they speak with great force to anyone who has not ruled out a creator as an explanation.
1. The Cosmological Argument:
The cosmological argument posits that everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist; therefore, it must have a cause. The most widely accepted scientific model, the Big Bang theory, suggests that the universe had a definite beginning. This aligns with the concept that the universe is not eternal but had a beginning, necessitating a cause outside of itself.
2. The Fine-Tuning Argument:
The fine-tuning argument observes that the universe’s physical constants are precisely tuned and balanced to allow for life. If any of these constants were slightly different, life as we know it could not exist. The improbability of such precise calibration occurring by chance suggests the presence of a deliberate designer.
3. The Moral Argument:
The moral argument asserts that objective moral values exist, and these values are best explained by the existence of a moral lawgiver. Atheism struggles to ground morality in anything beyond societal consensus or evolutionary advantage. In contrast, theism provides a robust foundation for objective morality.
4. The Argument from Contingency:
This argument states that everything in the universe is contingent, meaning it relies on something else for its existence. The universe itself is contingent, implying the existence of a necessary being that is not contingent on anything else. This necessary being is what many understand to be God.
Recognizing Our Limits: The Nature of the Creator
While these arguments support the existence of a creator, they do not necessarily reveal the nature of this creator. I acknowledge, at this stage, that the one who created the universe is beyond our full comprehension. This being, often referred to as God, transcends the physical realm and human understanding. If we have such difficulty understanding the nature of our physical universe, it is reasonable to expect that the creator who sits outside our universe would be beyond our explanatory capacity.
There are more arguments. How does the chaos of an unimaginably hot and energetic universe at the point of the big bang give rise to organization, information, and intelligence by random processes? That’s a hard sell.
The Second Rung:
From Theism to Jesus Christ
The Historical Case for the Resurrection
Having demonstrated the reasonable foundation for a theistic worldview, the next rung on the ladders is to consider the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. The historical evidence for the resurrection is very strong and merits serious consideration by anyone claiming to be in pursuit of the truth. Further, if it is true, it changes the way we think about life, the universe, and everything.
1. The Empty Tomb:
The fact that Jesus’ tomb was found empty is a critical piece of evidence. Historical records, including those from hostile sources, acknowledge the empty tomb. If Jesus’ body had remained in the tomb, it would have been impossible for Christianity to gain traction in Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified and buried. The religious leaders would have simply exhumed the body and brought it into the city to counter the claims of Jesus’ resurrection.
2. Post-Resurrection Appearances:
Multiple accounts document Jesus appearing to individuals and groups after His death. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, provides a list of these appearances, including over 500 witnesses. The consistency and number of these appearances bolster the case for their authenticity.
3. The Transformation of the Disciples:
The disciples’ dramatic transformation from fearful deserters to bold proclaimers of the resurrection is significant. This change is difficult to explain without the resurrection. They faced persecution and death, which suggests they genuinely believed in the risen Christ they proclaimed.
4. The Emergence of the Christian Church:
The rapid growth of the early Christian church, despite severe persecution, points to something extraordinary happening. The resurrection provided a powerful foundation for the apostles’ preaching, which resonated deeply with many in the ancient world.
What about arguments against the resurrection?
Below are some of the common arguments martialed against the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To my mind, these are desperate attempts to avoid the overwhelming evidence for the truth of the resurrection. Judge for yourselves.
1. The Swoon Theory:
Some suggest that Jesus didn’t actually die but merely fainted and later revived. However, the Roman executioners were proficient in ensuring death, and the nature of Jesus’ crucifixion wounds makes survival highly improbable.
2. The Hallucination Theory:
Another theory posits that the post-resurrection appearances were hallucinations. However, hallucinations are typically individual experiences and cannot explain group appearances or the empty tomb.
3. The Theft Theory:
Some argue that Jesus’ body was stolen from the tomb. This theory does not account for the Roman guard, the sealed tomb, and the disciples’ subsequent willingness to suffer and die for their proclamation of the resurrection.
Summing It Up
The ladder to Jesus involves two significant rungs. The first rung, from atheism to theism, is supported by arguments for the universe’s creation, fine-tuning, moral values, and contingency. This rung acknowledges a creator beyond our full understanding. The second rung, from theism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is anchored in the historical evidence for the resurrection, transforming our understanding of God and calling us to a relationship with Him.
If you have reached the second rung of this ladder, where you believe Jesus rose from death, the implications are profound. I would suggest your next step would be to start studying the person and work of Jesus to see where that leads.