Body of Proof: The 7 Best Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus--and Why It Matters Today Paperback – March 14, 2023

This is an excellent book. It is well-researched and well-written. I like the fact that the author presented the facts of Jesus' resurrection after providing information as to why detractors would not believe in the resurrection. I have shared this with several people, both Christians and non-Christians.

I have the paperback. I am a believer so you can use that to measure my review. I'll first direct to page 29 of the book where the author describes the viva voce (oral defense) of his 93,000 word dissertation. Professor William Telford started the viva by asking the author if he believed that Jesus physically rose from the dead. The author said he did and Professor Telford said he didn't. As the author notes, there are no "do overs" for a doctoral defense at Oxford so the author's personal stakes were very high. Three hours or so later (page 31) Professor Telford and the committee passed the author with commendation.The book reads well. It starts with the arguments against the resurrection. If you are interested, I have read two books, The Passover Plot, and Why the Jews Rejected Jesus, that go into more detail if you want further detail on the arguments against those put forward by Dr. Johnston in this book.Next, the book follows with a chapter entitled "the Resurrection Bears a Heavy Burden of Proof." Here, the author looks at Judeo-Christian ideas of resurrection including the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel and passages in Isaiah and Daniel. The differing views of the major Jewish groups of Pharisees and Sadducees on an afterlife are noted.Then the book goes to Part 3 with an exposition on what the author feels are the 7 best reasons to believe in the physical resurrection. You can form your own opinion on each reason. One aspect of the argument with which I was not familiar was the attacks on early Christianity by Celsus and Porphyry in the 2nd and 3rd centuries for various reasons including that much of Christianity was adopted by the lower classes and not by the leading classes in the Roman Empire.The book ends with Part 4, an assessment of other evidence. Chapter 11 looks at the issue of where the actual burial place is located. Jewish burial practices in the 1st century are outlined. Chapter 12 looks at how the resurrection was received by Romans in the 1st - 3rd centuries who, according to the author, were offended by the resurrection. The author posits that the extra-canonical books of The Gospel of Peter and the Acts of Pilate may have been written as a response to writings of Celsus and Porphyry in an effort to counter some of their objections. This argument was new to me.If the subject interests you, I recommend the book highly.

Is very interesting book. The evidence I never had read before. And I hope many more people discover this book and read it. I am going to read other books of the same author.

I enjoyed this book with all the different aspects that people believed about Jesus a d his resurrection.So much material you have to take it slow to understand it all.

Great insight into the resurrection of Jesus.

GREAT BOOK!

We received only 9 books

9 pages of scholarly references. Unique arguments to defend the faith.Currently working through Mcdowells “Evidence that demands a verdict” - looking forward to a shorter read with Body Of Proof.Don’t be a resurrection denier! This book will help you accept the historical truth of the resurrection of Jesus. (Or Yeshua if you prefer)Edit: As I continue through, his sections on the conversions of early skeptics Saul & James are quite convincing.In Sauls conversion he’s not simply choosing a new belief but a full reconstruction of his world view.Previously he sees Christianity as a threat. A heresy of his faith. Where his faith called for circumcision, a kosher diet and a list of moral duties which Israel must adhere to - the new dangerous sect invites Greeks, Romans, and people of all nations to join their faith without the same obligations and duties. Without the same actions required. Merely through the resurrection, the blood and sacrifice of a man who Saul believed could not possibly have been the Messiah.When Saul becomes Paul and embraces Jesus as Lord he’s embracing all of humanity. He accepts “the full program” of Jesus. He accepts ideas far more “socially progressive” than views seen in Judah, Rome or Greece at the time. He takes positions which elevate the importance of woman and children.You need to get this book. :)