The historical evidence for the bodily resurrection is compelling. The minimal facts accepted by virtually all historians: Jesus died by crucifixion, his tomb was found empty (implicitly acknowledged by the Jewish authorities), multiple people including 500 simultaneous witnesses claimed post-resurrection appearances, and the disciples were dramatically transformed. The resurrection is the best historical explanation of these facts. 98/100 Christ-Centered.
The resurrection is not merely a matter of faith — Paul explicitly stakes Christianity on it: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14). Christianity makes a historical claim that either happened or didn't. The minimal facts approach (Gary Habermas, Mike Licona) uses only data accepted by the vast majority of historians including secular skeptics — setting a high evidential bar.
1. Jesus died by crucifixion — confirmed by non-Christian sources (Tacitus, Josephus, the Talmud). Virtually no serious historian doubts it. 2. His tomb was found empty — the Jewish authorities implicitly acknowledged it by inventing a theft story (Matthew 28:11-15). You don't invent a theft story if the body is still there. 3. Multiple people and groups claimed post-resurrection appearances — Paul's list (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, written ~25 years after the events) includes Peter, the Twelve, over 500 simultaneous witnesses, James, and Paul himself. The 500 simultaneous witnesses rules out individual hallucination. 4. The disciples were dramatically transformed — from terrified fugitives to bold proclaimers willing to die for their testimony. People die for what they believe is true, not for what they know is fabricated. 5. Paul's hostile conversion — a Pharisee who persecuted Christians became Christianity's greatest missionary after claiming to see the risen Jesus.
Wrong tomb: Joseph of Arimathea knew where his own tomb was; the authorities would have corrected it. Swoon (Jesus survived): Roman soldiers were professional executioners; the spear wound (John 19:34) confirmed death; a barely-alive Jesus would not inspire resurrection proclamations. Hallucination: Hallucinations are individual, not shared by 500 simultaneously; the tomb was still empty. Legend: Paul's creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 dates within a few years of the crucifixion — far too early for legend development.
See our guides on Is Christianity True? and Is the Bible True? See our Theology hub. Habermas.com has the most extensive scholarly treatment. The Gospel Coalition on the resurrection is comprehensive.
For the broader question of Christianity's historical reliability, see our guide Is the Bible Historically Accurate?