Source: “On the Resurrection: volume 1”: Evidences, 2024 by Gary Habermas Published by B&H Academic Brentwood, Tennessee.
The Skeptic Who Became A Pillar.pdf
13. Minimal Fact 5- The Conversion Of James.mp3
This podcast argues for the conversion of James, Jesus's brother, after Jesus's crucifixion, a widely accepted "minimal fact" among researchers. Early Gospel accounts from Mark and John strongly suggest James and other family members did not believe in Jesus during his ministry, portraying them as skeptical or even critical. However, a pre-Pauline creedal tradition in 1 Corinthians 15:7a — exceptionally early testimony — explicitly states that the risen Jesus appeared to James, which most scholars believe caused his dramatic conversion. This encounter transformed James from an unbeliever into a prominent leader of the early Jerusalem church, a position he maintained until his martyrdom. The text emphasizes that this transformation, supported by multiple independent sources and various literary forms, is so profound that if a resurrection appearance to James weren't recorded, it would need to be "invented" to explain his swift rise to leadership.
It’s natural to assume that Jesus’s closest family members—his own mother and brothers—would have been his first and most devoted followers. They grew up with him, knew him intimately, and witnessed his life firsthand. Yet, history presents a more complicated and fascinating picture, particularly in the case of his brother, James. The earliest records don't portray him as a loyal disciple; they portray him as a skeptic.
This stark contrast between what we might expect and what the historical data reveals creates a compelling puzzle. James, a man who once doubted his brother’s mission, ultimately became the revered leader of the early church in Jerusalem and died a martyr for the very beliefs he initially questioned. This article explores the surprising historical facts that explain one of the most significant and well-documented turnarounds in history.
Early historical sources are surprisingly blunt about the fact that Jesus’s own family, including James, were unbelievers during his public ministry. They were not part of his inner circle of disciples; instead, they viewed his activities with concern, doubt, and even alarm.
This skepticism is documented in multiple, independent sources. The Gospel of Mark, our earliest account, recounts an episode where Jesus’s family hears reports that he has "gone mad." Their response was not just to check on him, but to actively try to "take charge of him" (Mark 3:21), an attempt to restrain him and protect "the family's reputation." The depth of this rift is underscored when his family arrives to see him; Jesus pointedly responds that his true family are those who follow him (Mark 3:31-35). The Gospel of John states the situation in even plainer terms: "not even his brothers believed in him" (John 7:5).
Historians call this the "criterion of embarrassment," arguing that its inclusion strengthens its claim to historical accuracy. It's highly unlikely that the early church, which came to revere James as a central leader, would have invented a story that cast him in such an unflattering light. They were reporting what was known to be true, even if it was uncomfortable.