FACT 1: A Jewish Rabbi named Jesus of Nazareth was killed by crucifixion in the first century by Roman executioners.
Sure, I think something like this happened based on available evidence, though it is scant.
FACT 2: Jesus’ followers had real experiences after Jesus’ death that they believed were appearances of Jesus, risen from the dead.
This is not a fact. This is a claim made long after Jesus died. But maybe they believed magic happened, sure.
FACT 3: Jesus’ followers’ lives were transformed as a result of this belief—even to the point of being willing to die for their belief in His resurrection.
Some people flew planes into buildings, dying for their beliefs. Does that make them true?
What happened at Jonestown? Many more people died there, does that make it more true?
FACT 4: James and Paul – both enemies of Jesus’ message – came to believe in Jesus’ resurrection and became Christians as a result. Both claimed the reason was that Jesus spoke to them after His death.
Maybe they missed their pal and thought about him a lot.
FACT 5: Jesus was buried in a tomb in Jerusalem which was found empty shortly after His death.
Sure.
these are a series of facts most historians agree with
None of which suggest the existence of magic. Jesus was a cult leader, and his cult was repurposed to suit someone else’s agenda.
The body being stolen and the disciples lying cannot be true due to facts 4, 2 and 3
Yes, both can still be true. People steal bodies, even shortly after death, especially if he was a popular or famous person. People cling to false beliefs even if it kills them, sometimes.
hallucination theories are proven false due to fact 4 and 5
No, still perfectly possible.
Jesus “didnt really die” theories are disproven due to fact 1 and 4
I find this one unlikely anyway, but it is possible he had a double killed in his place. I suspect he really did die. I have no reason to believe he or anyone else was resurrected after 3 days.
He turned fishermen into scholars and philosophers and theologers. Their lives were radically transformed
I’m not sure you get this. This is like Donald Trump waking up one day, disbanding ICE, apologizing for his actions, turning himself in for those crimes and putting welfare above warfare.
Alright
If Jesus and his followers were lying, James and Paul would’ve been the PERFECT semi-biased-against-them investigators. But they investigated and converted.
If it was a hallucination, why would his tomb be empty and james and paul converted after investigation?
Sure, I think something like this happened based on available evidence, though it is scant.
This is not a fact. This is a claim made long after Jesus died. But maybe they believed magic happened, sure.
Some people flew planes into buildings, dying for their beliefs. Does that make them true?
What happened at Jonestown? Many more people died there, does that make it more true?
Maybe they missed their pal and thought about him a lot.
Sure.
None of which suggest the existence of magic. Jesus was a cult leader, and his cult was repurposed to suit someone else’s agenda.
Yes, both can still be true. People steal bodies, even shortly after death, especially if he was a popular or famous person. People cling to false beliefs even if it kills them, sometimes.
No, still perfectly possible.
I find this one unlikely anyway, but it is possible he had a double killed in his place. I suspect he really did die. I have no reason to believe he or anyone else was resurrected after 3 days.
alright
This is a fact
He turned fishermen into scholars and philosophers and theologers. Their lives were radically transformed
I’m not sure you get this. This is like Donald Trump waking up one day, disbanding ICE, apologizing for his actions, turning himself in for those crimes and putting welfare above warfare.
Alright
If Jesus and his followers were lying, James and Paul would’ve been the PERFECT semi-biased-against-them investigators. But they investigated and converted.
If it was a hallucination, why would his tomb be empty and james and paul converted after investigation?