--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the Resurrection had not occurred, why…" description: "\"If the Resurrection had not occurred, why would the apostle Paul give such a list of supposed eyewitnesses? He would immediately lose all credibility w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/806/norman-geisler-25305_apostle-paul_if-the-resurrection-had-not-occurred-why_2527043.png" --- # If the Resurrection had not occurred, why would the… ![“If the Resurrection had not occurred, why would the apostle Paul give such a list of supposed eyewitnesses? He would immediately lose all credibility with his Corinthian readers by lying so blatantly.” quote by Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/806/norman-geisler-25305_apostle-paul_if-the-resurrection-had-not-occurred-why_2527043.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/806/norman-geisler-25305_apostle-paul_if-the-resurrection-had-not-occurred-why_2527043.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/806/norman-geisler-25305_apostle-paul_if-the-resurrection-had-not-occurred-why_2527043.png) > “If the Resurrection had not occurred, why would the apostle Paul give such a list of supposed eyewitnesses? He would immediately lose all credibility with his Corinthian readers by lying so blatantly.” [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paul’s credibility hinges on the resurrection; without it his testimony would appear deceitful to early Christians. **In simple terms:** Paul’s credibility depends on the resurrection. Key Takeaway Question the resurrection’s role in early Christian credibility. Themes faith credibility historical analysis Mood thoughtful analytical Type theological historical When to use this quote - Theology debates - church history - apologetics - faith formation Key Concepts Resurrection apostolic authority early Christianity Questions to Reflect On - How does belief in the resurrection affect trust in biblical authors? - What evidence supports the resurrection claim? A Different Perspective If the resurrection is doubted, Paul’s arguments lose persuasive power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apostle paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostle-paul/) [Apostles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Corinthians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corinthians/) [Credibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credibility/) [Eyewitnesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyewitnesses/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Resurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection/) ## Related quotes > [“The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred, would undermine not only the Enlightenment’s vision of a split world but also the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-point-is-that-the-resurrection-if-it-had-occurred-would-undermine/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [It was my study of the two Corinthian letters that first caused me to concentrate my attention more directly on the relation of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-christian-baur/it-was-my-study-of-the-two-corinthian-letters-that-first-caused-me-to/) [Ferdinand Christian Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-christian-baur/) > [The Apostle Paul wrote, The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berg/the-apostle-paul-wrote-the-things-which-are-seen-are-temporal-but-the/) [David Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berg/) > [“But by the grace of God I am what I am." ~1 Corinthians 15:10 "Paul was alluding here to his honest response to those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/but-by-the-grace-of-god-i-am-what-i-am-1-corinthians-15-10-paul-was/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ In 56 A.D. \[the apostle\] Paul wrote that over 500 people had seen the risen Jesus and that most of them were still alive… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warwick-montgomery/in-56-a-d-the-apostle-paul-wrote-that-over-500-people-had-seen-the/) John Warwick Montgomery > [“—2 Corinthians 5:18— Paul says he’s been given the ministry of reconciling man to God. Didn’t Jesus do that in his ministry? Back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-doherty/2-corinthians-5-18-paul-says-he-s-been-given-the-ministry-of/) Earl Doherty > [I love a statement by the apostle Paul, in the Book of Philippians in the Bible. I think the Corinthians had been writing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-love-a-statement-by-the-apostle-paul-in-the-book-of-philippians-in/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“If ten eyewitnesses are asked to describe a suspect, you'll get ten different variations. 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It is a kind of second sight, which conveys the owner of it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/imagination-is-the-supreme-endowment-of-the-poet-and-romanticist-it/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“If you’re going to make up stories about miracles and events that you are claiming really happened, you have to wait until all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-clark/if-you-re-going-to-make-up-stories-about-miracles-and-events-that-you/) [Mark Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-clark/) > [I'm interested in such things as the difference between how we perceive the world and what the world turns out to be. The difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/i-m-interested-in-such-things-as-the-difference-between-how-we/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [The proponents of UFOs offer up impressive quantities of principally eyewitness data, which although largely subjective and circumstantial in nature, is nevertheless quite intriguing……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-davenport/the-proponents-of-ufos-offer-up-impressive-quantities-of-principally/) Peter Davenport > [Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-french/eyewitness-testimony-is-notoriously-unreliable/) [Chris French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-french/) ## More by Norman Geisler > [The age of the Earth is a hotly debated issue among evangelicals. Old Earthers believe, like most scientists, that the universe is billions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/the-age-of-the-earth-is-a-hotly-debated-issue-among-evangelicals-old/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [The universe is specifically tweaked to enable life on earth-a planet with scores of improbable and interdependent life-supporting conditions that make it a tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/the-universe-is-specifically-tweaked-to-enable-life-on-earth-a-planet/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Most relativists believe that relativism is absolutely true and that everyone should be a relativist. Therin lies the self-destructive nature of relativism. The relativist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/most-relativists-believe-that-relativism-is-absolutely-true-and-that/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [For some, the belief in a Young Earth seems to be based on a kind of intuition or faith in what they believe an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/for-some-the-belief-in-a-young-earth-seems-to-be-based-on-a-kind-of/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Pluralism is denied logically; inclusivism is denied scripturally, and that leaves us with exclusivism... you have to know that Jesus died and believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/pluralism-is-denied-logically-inclusivism-is-denied-scripturally-and/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [One should never tie his faith to how old the earth is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/one-should-never-tie-his-faith-to-how-old-the-earth-is/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [In 1963 with Abington v. Schempp, The Court said that reading portions of the New Testament could be 'psychologically harmful' to the children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/in-1963-with-abington-v-schempp-the-court-said-that-reading-portions/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [All views can't be true because all views are opposite; this is the logical aspect. For example, Islam says we are good in nature;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/all-views-can-t-be-true-because-all-views-are-opposite-this-is-the/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Satre found atheism 'cruel', Camus 'dreadful', and Nietzsche 'maddening'. Atheists who consistently try to live without God tend to commit suicide or go insane.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/satre-found-atheism-cruel-camus-dreadful-and-nietzsche-maddening/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Jesus is the only way because the Bible says it to be true. Why? Because only He can bridge the gap between God and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/jesus-is-the-only-way-because-the-bible-says-it-to-be-true-why/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [While many have doubted the accuracy of the Bible, time and continued research have consistently demonstrated that the Word of God is better informed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/while-many-have-doubted-the-accuracy-of-the-bible-time-and-continued/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Since the Court took God our of our schools, we've gotten exactly what we should expect: godless schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/since-the-court-took-god-our-of-our-schools-we-ve-gotten-exactly-what/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Even Martin Luther and John Calvin believed that the Roman Catholic church, up to the Council of Trent, was basically orthodox - a true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/even-martin-luther-and-john-calvin-believed-that-the-roman-catholic/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Evangelicals have largely misinterpreted Aquinas, and they have placed on him views that he did not hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/evangelicals-have-largely-misinterpreted-aquinas-and-they-have-placed/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [Even Bertrand Russell, who fancied he saw flaws in Christ's character, confessed nonetheless that 'What the world needs is love, Christian love, or compassion.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/even-bertrand-russell-who-fancied-he-saw-flaws-in-christ-s-character/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) [Explore all 23 Norman Geisler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) ## More Apostle paul quotes > [“Richard Dawkins regards faith as an evil to be eliminated; he takes all religious faith to be blind faith. 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To deny oneself means to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innocent-of-alaska/the-first-duty-of-a-christian-of-a-disciple-and-follower-of-jesus/) Innocent of Alaska > [ Listen to these words of \[apostle\] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we-war-not-against-flesh-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [“What the apostle Paul is saying here is that the evidence the Holy Spirit dwelling in a person is the fact that he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-mendez-ferrell/what-the-apostle-paul-is-saying-here-is-that-the-evidence-the-holy/) [Ana Mendez Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-mendez-ferrell/) > [Millions of people profess and call themselves Christians, whom the Apostle Paul would not have called Christians at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/millions-of-people-profess-and-call-themselves-christians-whom-the/) [J. 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