Dear Friends,
Within a few weeks Christians around the world will be celebrating the most significant event in Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Did you know that approximately 90% of all critical historical scholars accept many historical facts about Jesus Christ? My guest this month is Dr. Gary Habermas, Chairman of the Department of Philosophy and Theology at Liberty University, and author of over 40 books. His last four books contain about 5,700 pages of research detailing what the top 4,000 scholars in the world have stated are historical facts about Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, His appearances to His disciples, and the spread of their message across the Roman empire.
Dr. Habermas says, “A wide swath of scholars… recognize that there are a number of known historical facts over this time in Jesus’s life. We will list here a dozen facts that are acknowledged as historical by virtually all researchers who investigate this area, regardless of their many differences in other tendencies…. We will not argue here for the historicity of these items…. This list is simply for the sake of getting this data out on the table, so to speak.”
He says, “At the time of this writing, the overall bibliography in this study presently numbers approximately 4,500 sources,… the vast majority from 1975 onward published originally in French, German, or English….
“Here are just 6 of 12 minimal facts… that are acknowledged as historical by virtually all researchers who investigate this area, regardless of their many differences in other tendencies:
In our television programs, entitled “Did Jesus Literally Rise from the Dead?”, Dr. Habermas and I will talk about 12 minimal historical facts that about 90% of scholars agree are true.
He asks: “What are the prerequisites for an occurrence to be designated as a minimal fact?... [M]y thesis has been that there are at least two major requirements for an occurrence to be designated in this manner. Each of these events must be established by an abundance of strong evidences, usually by multiple critically ascertained, independent lines of historical argumentation. In addition, the vast majority of published contemporary scholars with credentials in relevant fields of study have to acknowledge the historicity of the event.”
Many believe Dr. Habermas is going to be acknowledged as the most authoritative historical authority on the resurrection of Jesus in the world. I want you to listen to these programs.
Now, the John Ankerberg Show airs each week in every nation (with the exception of China). We present and defend the existence of God, the deity of Christ, the Bible, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, His offer to forgive our sins because of His death on the cross, heaven, hell, and much more, with some of the best Christian scholars in the world.
We are a viewer-supported ministry, but costs are rising and we need your help. We have raised funds so that close to 21 million people are listening to Bibles in their own language (many for the first time). Approximately 11 million have accepted Christ. In addition, where Christians are being persecuted, we are secretly training 9,500 pastors, and have a waiting list of another 9,000 pastors. In 5 years, we could be training a million pastors. This is a move of God, but we are providing the funds for this to happen.
So, today, could I ask you to consider becoming a Friend of ATRI (Ankerberg Theological Research Institute) and help us monthly? As a monthly Friend of ATRI, you will help us continue bringing television programs that defend the faith and challenge the skeptic. You will also make it possible for us to tape with renowned guests, edit every episode, and pay for airtime on stations worldwide so that millions of people can hear the truth of God’s Word.
Here is how you can help: Choose a Monthly Donation Amount on the enclosed card, or use the QR code to give online. Pray about what God would have you do. Then, each month give your gift by your payment method of choice. You can choose the amount you give, and you are free to stop your gift at any time.
Your gifts will make a huge impact in our ability to continue to broadcast our TV programs in America, Canada, Africa, South America, Europe and Asia.
Each month when we receive your donation, we will say thank you by sending you reports of the impact your gifts are making and send you resources that are exclusive only to Friends of ATRI.
For example, this month, when you order our Resurrection Package which includes two DVD/Blu-ray series, Did Jesus Literally Rise from the Dead? and The Evidence for the Historical Jesus, for your gift of $98, you will also receive resources that go to the very foundation of the Christian faith.
As our thank-you, we will also send you a free 20-page booklet titled Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Fiction? along with “Common Questions About the Resurrection.” You may receive these resources by mail when you return the enclosed card, or you may download them anytime by visiting jashow.org.
You can order or give monthly by calling us at 423-892-7722.
You may also text us to order the Resurrection Package (text “RISEN” to 423-720-5422), or to send an Audio Bible to those who need to hear God’s Word (text “BIBLE” to 423-720-5422), or to give monthly (text “MONTHLY” to 423-720-5422).
Please know that you are important to us. We appreciate your support not only financially, but also through your prayers and your words of encouragement. Thank you.
Until the whole world hears about our risen Lord,
John and Darlene