As we’re in Holy Week, and Easter Sunday is fast approaching, I thought it might be interesting to look at this oft stated question. It is, of course, true that if the resurrection is hokum based on earlier pagan myths, it isn’t a strong ground for the Christian faith and does great damage to its claims. So, the question, if the presuppositions on which it is based are true, is a significant one.

Few Ancient Historians or New Testament scholars defend the suggestion that early Christianity was plagiarising pagan mythology. The suggestions were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, principally stemming from Germany, but didn’t last very long. It is widely recognised that Jesus and the Apostles were Jewish and ought to be understood within that cultural context.

Here is William Lane Craig making the point: