Although the nation seems to be growing more secular, there is good news for Christians this Easter season. Two-thirds of Americans still say they believe Jesus physically rose from the dead. Nearly half say they strongly believe in the historical event that forms the core of Easter, according to a Lifeway Research survey.
The survey found that two-thirds of Americans agree that the “biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate.” A total of 47 percent of Americans say they “strongly” agree with the statement. Among Americans who attend a religious service at least once or twice a month, 90 percent agree.
Nevertheless, many Americans don’t agree with the statement, with 23 percent saying they either somewhat or strongly disagree with it. Jeremiah Johnston, author of” Body of Proof: A Study on the Resurrection of Jesus,” said the resurrection is key to the Christian faith. Johnston serves as the pastor of apologetics and cultural engagement at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.
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“For the early church, Johnston says a belief in the resurrection ‘was no mere footnote but rather a focal point,” an article on the Lifeway website said. “Every Sunday was resurrection Sunday. Flowing out from this, he notes ‘Jesus’ resurrection is a central focus of our New Testament scripture, with over 300 verses referencing this truth. When we study what the Bible teaches about the resurrection of Jesus, we are struck by the power this singular historical event had on the early followers of Jesus.’”
According to the Lifeway data, 26 percent of Christians associated with mainline churches don’t believe in a bodily resurrection.
“You cannot be a follower of Jesus if you deny the historical, physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Johnston said. “I am surprised at how controversial this answer has been in modern media. Our living hope is based on the historical, unchangeable fact of Jesus’ physical, bodily resurrection from the dead. The Bible teaches us that in the resurrected Christ we have a ‘living hope’ (1 Peter 1:3), a ‘better hope’ (Hebrews 7:19) and a ‘sure’ hope (Hebrews 6:19).”
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
