Is Easter Unbelievable?

Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story

from 7 reviews

Explores the evidence for the resurrection. A trailer for use at outreach events can be downloaded from the Free Extras section.

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Description

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an extraordinary thing to believe. Such a supernatural event is the stuff of make-believe, many think. Yet millions of Christians around the world believe that Jesus' resurrection was a real, historical event. Indeed, "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" and Christians are "of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15)

In this concise book, respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin outlines the evidence that Jesus really did rise from the dead and why it's the best news ever.

Rebecca McLaughlin gained a PhD from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary in London before working at The Veritas Forum. She is the author of the award-winning Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion and a regular contributor for The Gospel Coalition.

Ideal to give away at Easter outreach services and events, as well as to give to new Christians wanting to remind themselves of the evidence for their faith.

Product details

Contents

  • 1. Is Jesus's life historical?
    2. Is Jesus's death ethical?
    3. Is Jesus's resurrection credible?
    4. Is Jesus's offer desirable?

Free extras

Specification

Age range: 14+
Contributors Rebecca McLaughlin
ISBN 9781784988302
Format Paperback
First published February 2023
Dimensions 110mm x 178mm x 6mm
Weight 0.05 kg
Language English
Pages 64
Publisher The Good Book Company
Endorsements

Peter J Williams

Principal, Tyndale House, Cambridge; author, Can We Trust the Gospels?

A really short book, showing that the best-ever story is not only historically true but also great news for people today. What more could you want?

Molly Worthen

Associate Professor of History, University of North Carolina; New York Times columnist; Author, Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism

Christianity stands or falls on the truth of the resurrection, and this is the pithiest, zestiest case for the resurrection that I’ve seen. Whether you are looking to renew your faith or exploring the evidence for the first time, McLaughlin will guide you along the way—in roughly the time it takes to find all the Easter eggs.

Ian Hutchinson

Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; author, Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?

This compact book explains in a simple but profound way the reasons for believing in the resurrection of Jesus and of the Christian.

Customer reviews


Jun 1, 2023

“Great for apologetics and evangelism”

Quick and concise read with 4 short chapters to explore the Easter story. Rebecca McLaughlin packs a punch of evangelism and apologetics in these 60 pages as she covers

Is Jesus’ Life Historical?
Is Jesus’ Death Ethical?
Is Jesus’ Resurrection Credible?
Is Jesus’ Offer Desirable?

Clear and encouraging. Humble, yet standing firm in Scripture. A great read for those who doubt, for those who are young in their faith, and for the spiritually mature who can always use a reminder of the truth surrounding Jesus, the foundation of our faith.


Apr 2, 2023

“Helpful, concise argument for Easter”

Very engaging and well-explained, compelling argument for the historicity of Easter and a helpful explanation of why it matters.


Mar 28, 2023

“Helps skeptics come to terms with the Easter story”

Easter is around the corner, and perhaps there is someone in your life who is a bit skeptical of the story of a man coming back to life 2,000 years ago after being brutally tortured and then crucified on a wooden cross. Consider gifting them this new, short book (<60 pages) published by @thegoodbookcompanyusa. Is Easter Unbelievable? by Rebecca McLaughlin provides a basic overview about the historicity of Jesus, the implications of Jesus’s death on a cross, the plausibility of his resurrection, and the desirability of Jesus’s offer of eternal life with him. As I’ve come to expect from her other books, she deftly uses other stories to illustrate the truths of Christianity, like events from Harry Potter. But my favorite analogy in this work is how she uses the 007 movie, No Time to Die, to explain the greatness of Jesus’s love for us and his actions as the Savior. In a world where happy endings are hard to come by, McLaughlin shows why the resurrection of Jesus makes for the happiest ending of all.

McLaughlin writes, “You see, if Jesus really did come back to life, it's not just a matter of magical curiosity, like "What do mermaids eat?" If Jesus did come back to life, it means the Maker of all time and space has stepped into the universe for love of you. It means that you were worth his death and that he wants you in his life. It means you are more seen and known and loved than you could dare to hope and that the greatest offer ever made is sitting on the table, waiting for you to take it up.”


Feb 28, 2023

“perfect for educated doubters”

This book hit the sweet spot for my friend who had wandered from the faith. She wanted to believe, but struggled with the resurrection and what it meant. I have ordered ten more to give to other friends. Also great for college campuses! It's clear, encouraging, and culturally relevant. If I could give it ten stars I would. Thank you for such a wonderful book!


Feb 4, 2023

“Excellent Mini Book for Easter Evangelism”

Rebecca McLaughlin writes some superb resources for Christians and she's recently been writing resources for evangelism. This is another superb example of her giving us books which could easily be given away to those already starting to ask questions about faith, especially at Easter. For those Christians who have friends who are starting to ask questions about faith (especially Jesus death/resurrection and its credibility), this would be a perfect gift to read together. It would also be a good option for churches who want a giveaway book for Easter services or to, like us, have available as part of the free book stall that those enquiring about faith can help themselves to.


Jan 17, 2023

“Excellent Apologetics Resource”

This short, highly readable apologetics resource addresses four key questions that people should ask to fully understand the Easter story and the Christian faith. These questions are about the historicity of Jesus's life, whether or not a sacrificial death for other's sins is ethical, if the resurrection claim is credible, and if Jesus's offer of eternal life through himself is even desirable. Rebecca McLaughlin answers these questions with thoughtful reflections, explanations from Scripture, and references to scholarly historical writings from both secular and Christian authors.

This concise booklet is about sixty pages long, and it is a quick, easy read for people who are curious about the Christian faith. Because the book is very brief, it does not touch on every possible objection, but it provides a basic introduction to show why the Easter story is far more plausible than most modern, secular people would think. There are much more in-depth resources available for skeptics who want to explore their complex questions and doubts, but this will be a great introduction for people who are passively curious or are reading this at a friend's behest, and don't feel invested enough to read something longer.

This book is a great evangelism resource, and it will also appeal to Christians who want to better understand and articulate the basis for their beliefs. However, people who have already read McLaughlin's other works should be aware that this book presents many of the same arguments and examples that she has already used elsewhere. She uses them afresh in a new context here, and it doesn't feel overly repetitive, but people who have already read McLaughlin's full-length works should be aware that they have already experienced most of this book's foundational material.

Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Jan 14, 2023

“good for those who question or are seeking more”

McLaughlin does a good job of bringing to light the message of the Easter story through Scripture supporting Scripture.

This is a very simple, short pocket style book. It's structured with only four chapters, each discussing a specific question in regards to the Easter event.

- Is Jesus' Life Historical?

- Is Jesus' Life Ethical?

- Is Jesus' Resurrection Credible?

- Is Jesus' Offer Desirable?

McLaughlin brings up several earthly misconceptions of the Gospel and Jesus's resurrection such as The Da Vinci Code books and movies or the Harry Potter series.

Along with Scripture references, she also touches on historical events and evidence.

This book is definitely geared more towards those who question or doubt the Easter events. It did not provide anything new or profound for me - a believer for many years. But those who are seeking or newly believing, could benefit from further discussion, reading, and pondering of the events around Jesus' resurrection.

I received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.

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Is Easter Unbelievable? | Rebecca McLaughlin |
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