Source: “On the Resurrection: volume 1”: Evidences, 2024 by Gary Habermas Published by B&H Academic Brentwood, Tennessee.
Investigating_Ancient_Miracles.mp4
Minimal Facts Resurrection History.pdf
4. The Minimal Historical Facts About Jesus.mp3
This topic introduces the minimal facts method, a historical framework designed to demonstrate the reality of Jesus’s resurrection by focusing on a select group of events that meet two rigorous criteria: they must be supported by abundant, independent evidence and be accepted as historical by the vast majority of critical scholars. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on the general reliability of the New Testament, this methodology functions even if the biblical texts are viewed as untrustworthy, as it utilizes only the data that skeptics and believers alike concede as historical bedrock. The author contrasts this technique with broader reliability arguments, noting that while the latter are useful, they often struggle to authenticate supernatural claims and are vulnerable to charges of special pleading when compared to miracle reports in Greco-Roman history. Ultimately, the text serves to promote this "lowest common denominator" approach as a more robust and specific way to establish the central tenets of the Christian faith within a modern, critical academic landscape.
Introduction: Beyond the Stalemate
Debates about the historical Jesus often feel like a predictable and endless stalemate. On one side are believers who lean on faith, and on the other are radical skeptics who dismiss the sources outright. The arguments are well-worn, the battle lines are drawn, and productive conversation seems impossible.
But what if there were a different way? A powerful and intellectually honest methodology exists that bypasses this stalemate by focusing on a common ground of evidence—a core set of facts that even the most critical scholars accept. This approach, known as the "Minimal Facts Method," offers a more productive path forward.
This post will explore four surprising takeaways from this method, revealing a more nuanced and rigorous way to approach one of history's most debated figures.
1. You Don't Need to Believe the Bible Is Flawless (Or Even "Reliable")
An Argument That Doesn't Assume a "Holy Book"