Chris Reese is the Managing Editor of the Worldview Bulletin Newsletter. He was on my radio program recently to talk about this article, “Resurrection and the Fear of Death.” In discussing the importance of the resurrection to the Christian faith, he later turns to the futility that secular philosophers experience in attempting to find meaning in life.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul describes what the gospel consists of by listing two foundational elements. “Christ died for our sins” and “he was raised on the third day.” Both events happened “in accordance with the Scriptures.” This was an early creed used by believers that Paul included in his letter.

Chris Reese goes on to quote from secular philosophers who don’t believe in God and don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Naturalist philosopher Alex Rosenberg answers some of the basic philosophical questions in this way:

What is the purpose of the universe? There is none.
What is the meaning of life? Ditto.
Why am I here? Just dumb luck.
Is there a soul? Are you kidding?

Another physician talks about trying to resolve his fear of death intellectually but concludes that it can’t be done. Atheist professor Andrew Stark adds, “After all the reasoning and all the rationales, I’d still desperately prefer to be a conscious, healthy human being than a corpse. Who wouldn’t? 

Of course, the resurrection of Jesus does provide hope. The Apostle Peter declares that God has given us “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . . that your faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 1:3, 21)."

We should be grateful that our hope rests in the historical fact of the resurrection. And this should stimulate all of us to share this Good News with others.