Dear Dr. B,

I was shocked recently when a neighbor asked me, ‘What’s all the fuss about Easter?’ He knows that we are a Christian family, and I don’t think he was being facetious. His question completely took me off guard, and I wasn’t happy with my answer. The next time the opportunity arrives, I want to give him something more to consider. Any suggestions?

Signed, 

Caught Off Guard

Dear Caught Off Guard,

Don’t be too hard on yourself.  All of us have had the same type of experience.  ‘Thinking on our feet often leaves us sitting on our posterior!’  I would advise you to become familiar with the Easter narrative, which is found in the Gospels. Saint Paul’s writings will provide you with good historical reflections concerning Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Did you know that the historical Church has consistently held that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the corner stone of Christianity?  I’ll give you a few pointers, and you can take it from there.

You should share with your neighbor that the resurrection of Jesus is the ‘corner-stone’ of your faith. Saint Paul was very clear when he addressed the Corinthian Church concerning this. He succinctly put it this way, “If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ.  And face it — if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-15, (The Message Bible). I’m assuming that your neighbor is not a follower of Jesus so believing that the resurrection is a historical fact will be a challenge for him. In one way you are not directly asking him to believe what you believe; but sharing your faith with him will, no doubt, leave a lasting impression upon him.

Saint Paul was aware that there were those in his day that would also wonder ‘what’s all the fuss was about’? In light of this,he was motivated to meticulously lay down his case for the resurrection.  In his first letter to the Corinthians he gave several ‘truth claims’ concerning the event.  In some ways he was giving them some help with their questioning neighbors. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul very painstakingly attempted to give a theology of the resurrection. He even mentioned that numerous eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection were still alive at the time of his writing, i.e., Cephas (Peter), the twelve Apostles; after that a group of about five hundred brethren, James, and last of all Paul himself.  Paul claimed that soon after his conversion experience, Jesus Himself had appeared to him and taught him the important matters of the Gospel for about three years, I Corinthians 15:3ff.  I am sure you realize the importance of an eyewitness? Well, Paul mentioned several of them.  Since Paul wrote more concerning the resurrection than all the other contributors of the New Testament, it is important that you familiarize yourself with this chapter before you reengage dialogue with your neighbor.

My final mention has to do with the words of Jesus Himself when he spoke to Martha after her brother had died. “I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26.

If you truly believe the words of Jesus and sincerely share them with your neighbor, perhaps your neighbor will understand what all the fuss is about!

His best to you, 

Dr. B

If you have a practical life question that you would like to ask Dr. B. you may email him at: askdoctorb@ gmail.com.  You may write Dr. B. at: Ask Dr. B., 117 Granberry Street, Humble, Texas 77338. All questions become the property of Ask Dr. B and may not be reproduced without written permission. The identity of the person submitting a question for Dr. B. is protected. If this column has been an encouragement, email Dr. B your testimony. Disclaimer: Any action taken in light of this column is solely the responsibility of the reader and is not to be considered professional counsel or advice.