Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection, 10 Copies

"Alive" is a short apologetic booklet that looks at the evidence surrounding Jesus' resurrection from the point of view of a cold case detective. What is the most reasonable explanation for the accounts found in secular, historical sources and in the Bible?

The author explained his process and then examined the possible explanations using his experience as a cold case detective. He did a good job of covering the various, possible scenarios surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection. His reasoning was easy to follow and logical. Overall, this would be a good resource for those who are uncertain about Jesus' resurrection and only have time for a quick read. It will especially appeal to those who are interested in detective work. However, this will be too brief for anyone wanting a thorough, deep look on the subject.

J. Warner Wallace, a cold-case homicide detective, a Christian case maker and an author present the case for the Resurrection using his skill as a homicide detective. Wallace makes the thing clear, simple and interesting. The tool he used presenting his case for the Resurrection is known as abductive reasoning, also known as inferring to the most reasonable explanation. This method is a form of logical inference that goes from observation to a hypothesis that accounts for the reliable data (observation) and seeks to explain relevant evidence.

Wallace passionately shows his readers that Jesus' resurrection best explanation why the tomb of Jesus was empty, why Jesus' disciples believed that they saw Jesus resurrected from the dead, why Jesus' disciples were transformed.

He begins with an interesting illustration of a death man and how the case is investigated by using abductive reasoning. In such investigation, all the available data and observations are made relating to the dead body, then using the adductive reasoning, the irrelevant/less unreasonable data are eliminated, and finally the data that best explain the occasion or event is taken to be the case.

Taken the claim that Jesus died, was buried, but on the third day rose from the death, Wallace collected the data and observations that are available relating to this case, such as, the disciples were wrong about Jesus' death; the Disciples lied about the resurrection; the disciples were delusional; the disciples were fooled by an imposter; the disciples were influenced by limited spiritual sightings; the disciples' observation were distorted later; and the disciples were accurately reporting the resurrection of Jesus, then Wallace placed them on the table and apply adductive reasoning in each case and investigate the weakness and strength in each data.

Wallace is convinced and he tells us that given the fact that Jesus' tomb was empty, as concurred by Historians and Biblical scholars, that the disciples believed Jesus resurrection, that their lives were transformed, the report of the resurrection by the disciples were accurately, because this data best explain the case. Then he concluded his case with a call to move from just knowing something to be the case, to participating in what is known to be the case, a commitment.

J. Warner Wallace, a homicide detective is a fine example of a man who uses his talent, gift, profession, for kingdom work (Matthew 25:14-30). He is not a man, whom God gave talents, gifts, but hide it because he was afraid to invest his life and gift. And his work, Alive: A Cold Case Approach to the Resurrection is just an example of how he gains one more talent.

If you've read Cold-Case Christianity, then there isn't anything new. However, it is an excellent tract to share the the reliability of the Gospel with your skeptical friends. It's a quick read, and definitely enjoyable. I am looking forward to giving these to my friends pre-Easter.