It is often stated that the crux of Christian faith rests on the belief that Jesus truly resurrected from the dead, conquering death and triumphing over sin.
I would agree. The resurrection is the single most important event in the history of the world – and if it’s true, we’ve got to assume the teachings of Jesus are true. That’s what we preach. If it’s not true, much of what we believe as Christians is invalidated.
Of course, we can say we believe in the resurrection because the Bible says it’s true – which is a great point – but a point that doesn’t hold much weight with a skeptic who might not believe the Bible is true or authoritative.
Most of these books help us make a case for the historical accuracy of the resurrection, pulling from historical documents, science, and more to prove Christ’s resurrection was a historical reality. It’s a tough thing to prove, kind of like the Trinity, but these authors and thinkers do a fantastic job.
I also threw in a couple of books that talk about the implications of the resurrection as well. Check them out:
4 Helpful Books About the Resurrection
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
Written by: Gary Habermas & Michael Licona
We who hold the Bible as God's spoken word can believe the resurrection based on its mention in the scriptures. But it's a great help to our faith and our apologetics when we can also point to historical evidence.
This book helps Christians understand the extra-biblical evidence for the resurrection and equips us to use these evidences in casual conversation with skeptical friends.
The Resurrection of the Son of God
This is a thick book full of wisdom, but unfortunately pretty tough to get a hold of. In it, NT Wright makes a strong case for the historical case of the resurrection, what it means for us as Christians, and what it means for the world.
It's a really deep dive and a tough read, but a rewarding one for anyone up for the challenge.
Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life
Written By: Eugene Peterson
Most books on the resurrection of Jesus focus on the historical event and the apologetics surrounding it. Eugene Peterson takes a break from that discourse to discuss the resurrection life.
He walks us through how Christ's resurrection impacts every aspect of our lives, and how Jesus invites us to live the resurrection life He's won for us.
Alive: How the Resurrection of Christ Changes Everything
Written by: Gabriel Fluhrer
This book is a great blend hitting on the historical claims of the resurrection as well as what it looks like to truly believe in the resurrection.
He walks through the evidence and shows us what it looks like to embrace the reality of the resurrection.
Resurrection Power Can’t Fit in a Book
The resurrection of Jesus is the most incredible feat in the history of the world. Reading about it is a great step to understanding it.
But we’d be amiss if we didn’t say that the resurrection can’t be grasped by reading some words of a non-fiction Christian book. It was an event to be understood, yes, but the resurrection was a show of the power of our God – and the power available to us as believers. Resurrection power is meant to be lived out, not simply read about.
So grab one of the above books on the resurrection of Jesus, and let the truth of it penetrate deep into your soul, so that you begin to live in the power you have access to.
Other Helpful Biblical Resources and Books
We’re passionate about helpful resources. We live in an age where we have more access to sound Biblical resources than any generation ever before. That said, we also have access to a lot of not-so-sound Biblical resources. So we’re always trying to share books and commentaries that we believe are accurate and edifying.
Here are some other roundups of books and resources we’d recommend:
