I.

Introduction

A key point of difference between Islam and Christianity is the Bible's testimony that Jesus was executed on a cross and rose from the dead. Often with differences between religions the differences are matters of personal opinion or interpretation. There are, though, areas that are more than opinion or interpretation, that put themselves into the realm of fact. Both Islam and Christianity pride themselves on being historical religions. They both hold that at a specific time and place, God intervened and acted in human history, and that one can still investigate these events through the historical evidence that has been left. This facet of these two religions takes their historical claims out of the realm of personal opinion into the realm of historical fact. Islam is based on the historical evidence surrounding the claims of Muhammad to prophet-hood and his receiving the Qur'an. Christianity is based on the historical evidence concerning the claims and life of Jesus the Messiah. As concerns this discussion, Christianity explicitly stakes its validity on the historical fact of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul stated:

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB)

This lecture will present the historical evidence that supports 1) that Jesus was crucified and died from this torture, and 2) that Jesus rose from the dead in the same body in which He died. It will also consider the major Islamic objections to Christ’s crucifixion.