Catholic Bible Study – Lectio: The Case for Jesus

Episode: The Resurrection of Jesus
Host: Augustine Institute Scholars
Date: February 21, 2026

Main Theme

This final episode in the “Lectio: The Case for Jesus” series explores the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the climax of the Christian story and the principal motive for Christian faith. The episode methodically examines the historical, scriptural, and theological evidence for the Resurrection, clarifying its meaning and addressing skepticism, while grounding arguments in Catholic teaching and biblical scholarship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Foundational Catholic Teaching on the Gospels

• [00:01 – 05:45]
  • The host summarizes the previous sessions’ explorations: authorship, dating, genre, reliability, messiahship, divinity, and crucifixion of Jesus.
  • Reiterates that the Catholic approach to the Gospels affirms both their apostolic origin and historical reliability, citing Dei Verbum from Vatican II:

    “Holy Mother Church has firmly and with absolute consistency maintained and continues to maintain that the four Gospels… faithfully hand on what Jesus… really did and taught for their eternal salvation until the day he was taken up.” (Host quoting Dei Verbum, 03:00)

  • Stresses that undermining Gospel credibility erodes the entire foundation of faith, especially regarding the Resurrection.

2. Clarifying the Meaning of ‘Resurrection’

• [05:45 – 18:00]
  • It’s essential to distinguish “resurrection” from related but different concepts. The host identifies what the Resurrection is not:
    • Not simply a miraculous “resuscitation” of Jesus to ordinary life (like Lazarus or Jairus’ daughter); these figures died again.
    • Not merely the survival or immortality of Jesus’ soul. The Greek anastasis means bodily standing up, distinct from athanasia (deathlessness of the soul).
    • Not to be confused with the Ascension; Resurrection and Ascension are separate events.
  • The meaning of Resurrection:
    1. Return to Bodily Life: Jesus’ body and soul are reunited in a new, transformed existence.
    2. Same Body as Crucified: Emphasizes continuity; it is the very body crucified that is raised.
    3. Transformed Body: Jesus’ resurrected body is both physical and glorified—capable of eating, appearing/disappearing, not bound by space or time.
  • Scriptural Example: Luke 24:36-43 – Jesus appears to his apostles, says "Touch me and see… For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have," and eats fish with them.

  • “If you’ve ever wondered how real will my body be in the final resurrection? Well, I would say just as real as Jesus’ body is here with the apostles…” (Host, 16:30)

  • Christianity, unlike many religions, proclaims bodily (not spiritual) resurrection as the believer’s ultimate destiny.

3. Addressing Skepticism About the Resurrection

• [18:00 – 28:30]
  • Counters the notion that ancient people were “credulous,” emphasizing that even Jesus’ own disciples doubted initially:

    “All four gospels, what’s the apostles’ initial response to the Resurrection? Doubt, doubt, doubt and doubt.” (Host, 21:50)

  • Cites Gospel passages showing apostles’ disbelief (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, Thomas’ famous skepticism in John 20).
  • Argues that such honesty about doubts strengthens the historical credibility of the resurrection accounts.

    “If the Gospels were making up the story… why are they so honest about the doubt of the apostles?” (Host, 24:30)

4. Three Principal Arguments for the Resurrection

• [28:30 – 51:00]

A. The Empty Tomb

• [28:30 – 36:30]
  • Women discover the tomb empty on the first morning after the Sabbath (Luke 24:1-12, John 20, Matthew 28).
  • Early Christians interpreted the empty tomb as essential to resurrection belief; it demonstrates they were speaking of a bodily resurrection.
  • Host critiques explanations like body theft or “spiritual resurrection.”

    “The faith is based on the claim of Jesus’ bodily resurrection… Not just that he’s alive in spirit.” (Host, 34:45)

B. Bodily Appearances of the Risen Jesus

• [36:30 – 45:45]
  • Multiple, independent Gospel and Pauline accounts of post-resurrection appearances to individuals and groups (Mary Magdalene, the other women, Peter, Thomas, the disciples, over 500 witnesses).
  • Emphasis that women are the first witnesses—a detail unlikely to have been invented in that culture.

    “All four of the Gospels say the first witnesses to the Resurrection were not just women, but Mary Magdalene… This is not the kind of thing you do if you’re fabricating a story…” (Host, 44:00)

C. Prophecy and Fulfillment of Scripture

• [45:45 – 59:00]
  • The New Testament claims the Resurrection fulfills prophecy (“on the third day according to the Scriptures”—Luke 24, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15).
  • No explicit Old Testament prophecy of Messiah’s third-day resurrection, but the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38–40) is invoked by Jesus: Jonah’s three days in the whale as a typological foreshadowing.
  • The host argues Jonah represents a “death and resurrection,” referencing ancient Jewish exegesis and Church Fathers (Ephrem the Syrian, Eusebius of Caesarea).

    “The only sign that will be given to this generation is the sign of the prophet Jonah… death and resurrection on the third day, then mission to the nations.” (Host, 53:20)

  • Memorable Moment:

    "Pentecost is not over. It continues to spread throughout the world. And this is our task. This is our mission as members of the church, to bring the good news of Christ's resurrection to the nations of our time." (Host, 57:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Catholic foundation for Gospel trust:

  “If any of it’s surprising to you, just go back and reread Vatican II and the Catechism… This is the Catholic faith, right?” (Host, 04:10)

• On the uniqueness of bodily resurrection:

  “There are 1,001 religions that proclaim the immortality of the soul… But Judaism and Christianity are the only religions that talk about the resurrection of the body.” (Host, 17:25)

• On skepticism in the first century:

  “Ancient people, just like modern people today, knew that as a rule, dead people stayed dead.” (Host, 21:10)

• On the witness of women:

  “If you want to make up a story… don’t say, ‘No, trust me, the first woman to see him was this former demoniac [Mary Magdalene]’… but if you’re telling the truth, it makes perfect sense.” (Host, 44:20)

• On the continuing impact of the Resurrection:

  “You don’t have to take my word for it. Look at the words of the prophets and how all this changed when Jesus of Nazareth came into the world… and look around us today. You know what? They’re still converting, aren’t they?” (Host, 56:20)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Introduction & Review of Previous Sessions | | 03:00 | Dei Verbum Quotation on Gospel Trustworthiness | | 06:00 | Defining Resurrection vs. Other Concepts | | 14:00 | Luke 24:36–43 Analysis: Resurrected Body Explained | | 21:00 | Apostolic Doubt as a Mark of Authenticity | | 28:30 | Three Arguments for the Resurrection Outlined | | 29:00 | The Empty Tomb—Historical and Theological Role | | 36:30 | Bodily Appearances—Gospel and Pauline Testimony | | 45:45 | Prophecy Argument: The Sign of Jonah | | 55:45 | Application: Mission, Evangelization, and Conversion| | 57:50 | "Pentecost is not over…" – Memorable Closing |

Conclusion & Tone

The episode is rich in both academic insight and pastoral application, affirming traditional Catholic faith in a reasoned, accessible style. The host gently challenges mistaken notions, clarifies theological language, and inspires listeners with the ongoing resonance of the Resurrection. The tone is enthusiastic, respectful, and deeply rooted in Church teaching and scriptural study, encouraging faith not only as a matter of tradition but of credible, lived experience.

For listeners new or seasoned in the Catholic faith, this episode offers a clear, robust presentation of the Resurrection’s meaning and motive—placing it at the very heart of what it means to be Christian.