Not Convinced Jesus Rose from the Dead? Hear This

Politics By Faith w/Mike Slater26mApril 4, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

In this special Easter episode of 'Politics by Faith,' host Mike Slater explores the historical and theological significance of Jesus' resurrection, addressing skepticism and offering robust apologetic arguments. Starting with C.S. Lewis's famous trilemma—Jesus must be a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord—Slater emphasizes that the resurrection is not just a religious claim but the foundation of Christian faith. He draws on biblical passages from Paul, Acts, and Romans to show how the resurrection validates Jesus' divinity, provides forgiveness, guarantees eternal life, and empowers the Church to spread the gospel. Dr. Tim Chafee, apologist and author of 'In Defense of Easter,' then provides historical and evidential support: Old Testament prophecies, secular references from Tacitus and Josephus, the martyrdom of the disciples as evidence against a conspiracy, and refutations of alternative theories like the swoon theory and hallucination. The episode concludes with a call to recenter the resurrection in Christian worship and apologetics, not as a once-a-year event but as the very heart of the gospel message.

Key Takeaways
1

The resurrection of Jesus is not a peripheral belief but the cornerstone of Christianity—without it, the faith is futile.

2

The disciples’ willingness to suffer and die for their testimony proves they genuinely believed Jesus rose, not that they fabricated a story.

3

Secular historians like Tacitus and Josephus confirm key details about Jesus, lending credibility to the biblical narrative.

4

Alternative theories (swoon, theft, hallucination) fail under scrutiny—especially given the Roman guard's discipline and the physical evidence of the empty tomb.

5

The resurrection is both a historical event and a promise of future bodily resurrection for believers.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
10 min

The Central Question: Is the Resurrection True?

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you're still in your sins.

Highlight
10:00
10 min

Why the Resurrection Matters: Theological Foundations

Slater unpacks the theological implications of the resurrection, citing Paul’s letters to show how it validates Jesus’ divine sonship, enables justification, guarantees spiritual blessings, and establishes the hope of future resurrection for believers.

20:00
10 min

Dr. Tim Chafee: Historical and Evidential Defense

If the disciples were making it up, why would they go around getting beaten, imprisoned, and killed for a lie?

Highlight
30:00
10 min

Debunking Alternative Theories

It would be a greater miracle for everyone to hallucinate the same thing than for Jesus to rise from the dead.

Highlight
40:00
3 min

The Resurrection as the Heart of the Gospel

The resurrection is a guarantee of what’s going to happen to us in the future—we will be raised in glorified bodies.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you're still in your sins.
Mike Slater5:53
Viral: 95.0
If the disciples were making it up, why would they go around getting beaten, imprisoned, and killed for a lie?
Dr. Tim Chafee20:10
Viral: 88.0
It would be a greater miracle for everyone to hallucinate the same thing than for Jesus to rise from the dead.
Dr. Tim Chafee32:30
Viral: 85.0
Speakers

Host

Mike Slater

Guest

Dr. Tim Chafee
Topics Discussed
Resurrection of Jesus95%Christian Apologetics90%Historical Evidence for Christianity85%Future Resurrection of Believers82%C.S. Lewis Trilemma80%Alternative Theories of the Resurrection78%Biblical Prophecy75%Martyrdom of the Apostles70%
People & Brands

Jesus Christ

person

45xNeutral

Dr. Tim Chafee

person

25xPositive

Mike Slater

person

15xPositive

New Testament

other

12xPositive

Paul

person

10xPositive

Old Testament

other

8xPositive

Acts

other

6xPositive

C.S. Lewis

person

5xPositive

1 Corinthians 15

other

4xPositive

Romans

other

4xPositive

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