Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Figment: A Debate between William Lane Craig and Gerd Ludemann Edited by Paul Copan and Ronald K. Tacelli
Book Review
by Steve Cowan

Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Figment: A Debate between William Lane Craig and Gerd Ludemann Edited by Paul Copan and Ronald K. Tacelli. InterVarsity, 2000; 206 pages

This volume records a debate between Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist New Testament scholar Gerd Ludemann. As the title indicates, the topic of the debate was the resurrection of Jesus. Craig presented the evidence for the resurrection, pointing to the empty tomb, the resurrection appearances and the transformation of the apostles. Ludemann attempts to counter the evidence for the empty tomb, and defends the hypothesis that the resurrection appearances were merely visions or hallucinations.

After the formal debate, the book includes written responses by scholars on both sides of the issue. Supporting Craig’s position are Stephen T. Davis and Robert H. Gundry. For Ludemann are Michael Goulder and Roy W. Hoover. Finally, the book contains closing responses from Craig and Ludemann in which they reply not only to each other but to the other respondents as well.

This would be an excellent book for anyone who wants to become familiar with the arguments both for and against the resurrection of Jesus.

Reviewed by Steven B. Cowan
Associate Director of the Apologetics Resource Center

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