Joe Rogan Debates the Truth of Jesus’s Resurrection Claims

Alright, folks, welcome to this special, completely fictional conversation—emphasis on imaginary—where we’re diving deep into one of the most debated events in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now, before anyone starts tweeting, let me say this isn’t a real event, but the ideas and perspectives we’re bringing together are inspired by some of the brightest minds out there.

Imagine you’ve got me as your guide, and on this panel, we’ve got Stephen Meyer, a philosopher and scientist who knows how to connect the dots between history, faith, and reason. Then there’s Bart Ehrman, a historian and critic who doesn’t hold back when it comes to examining the New Testament’s claims. Joining us, Gary Habermas, who’s spent decades defending the resurrection as one of the most well-documented events in history. And finally, N.T. Wright, a biblical scholar who’s all about the big picture and why this event matters today.

This is gonna be one heck of a ride—evidence, doubt, belief, and everything in between. And remember, this conversation is purely hypothetical, but the questions we’re tackling are as real as it gets. Let’s jump in!

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Historical Evidence and Objective Sources

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, folks, welcome to today’s deep dive into one of the most debated events in human history—Jesus’ resurrection. I’ve got an all-star lineup of thinkers, historians, and scholars here to unpack the evidence. First up, we’ve got Dr. Stephen Meyer, who’s known for bridging the worlds of philosophy, science, and faith. Stephen, how’s it going?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Great to be here, Joe. Excited to have this conversation and explore the fascinating historical foundations of one of the most pivotal moments in history."

Joe Rogan:
"Awesome. Joining us today, we’ve got Bart Ehrman, a historian who takes a more critical stance on the New Testament’s reliability. Bart, welcome back."

Bart Ehrman:
"Thanks, Joe. Always a pleasure to bring some critical perspectives into these discussions."

Joe Rogan:
"And we’re not stopping there. Dr. Gary Habermas is with us—a leading expert on the resurrection of Jesus. Gary, good to see you."

Gary Habermas:
"Thanks, Joe. It’s a privilege to be part of this important discussion."

Joe Rogan:
"Finally, rounding out the panel, we’ve got N.T. Wright, who’s written extensively on the resurrection and its implications for Christianity. N.T., welcome to the show."

N.T. Wright:
"Thanks, Joe. It’s great to be here and engage in this vital topic."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, so here’s where I want to start. Stephen, you’ve talked about archaeological discoveries that corroborate key figures and events in the New Testament. Can you break that down for us? What’s the evidence, and why should we care?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Absolutely. One of the most striking discoveries is the Pilate Stone, found in Caesarea Maritima in the 1960s. It’s an inscription that explicitly mentions Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, who played a central role in Jesus’ trial. For centuries, skeptics doubted Pilate’s existence, claiming there was no evidence outside the Bible. But this discovery flipped the narrative, providing independent confirmation of a key figure in the Gospel accounts."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, what’s your take? Does evidence like the Pilate Stone strengthen the case for the Gospels' reliability?"

Bart Ehrman:
"Well, Joe, I’d say it’s significant, but we need to be cautious. Finding evidence for a historical figure like Pilate doesn’t necessarily mean the entire narrative surrounding him is accurate. It tells us Pilate existed, but not that the events described in the Gospels happened exactly as written."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, you’ve dedicated a lot of your career to studying the resurrection. How does evidence like this fit into the larger picture?"

Gary Habermas:
"It’s part of a broader mosaic, Joe. We have multiple lines of evidence—archaeological, documentary, and historical—that collectively support the New Testament’s reliability. Beyond Pilate, we have inscriptions and artifacts tied to figures like Caiaphas and Herod Antipas, and even non-Christian sources like Josephus and Tacitus confirm key elements of the narrative."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., what about the resurrection itself? It’s a massive claim—how do we go from historical evidence of key figures to believing in something as extraordinary as a man rising from the dead?"

N.T. Wright:
"Great question, Joe. The resurrection is unique because it’s not just about historical figures or events—it’s about a transformative claim that shaped the early Christian movement. The best explanation for the rise of Christianity, even among skeptics, is that the disciples genuinely believed they encountered the risen Jesus. The empty tomb and the radical transformation of Jesus’ followers demand an explanation that aligns with historical reality."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, this is getting intense, and I love it. Let’s take a quick break and then dive into how different scholars weigh the evidence for the resurrection and what it means for history and belief systems."

The Role of the Resurrection

Joe Rogan:
"Welcome back, everyone. We’re diving deeper now into what many believe is the cornerstone of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus. To kick us off, I want to ask Dr. Gary Habermas, you’ve spent decades researching this specific event. Why is the resurrection so central to Christianity?"

Gary Habermas:
"Thanks, Joe. The resurrection isn’t just an event in history; it’s the foundation of Christian belief. Without it, the entire faith collapses. Paul says as much in 1 Corinthians: 'If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.' What makes it unique is that it’s not just a theological claim but one rooted in history, with evidence to support it."

Joe Rogan:
"Evidence is a strong word. What kind of evidence are we talking about?"

Gary Habermas:
"We’re talking about multiple lines of evidence. First, the empty tomb—most scholars, even skeptics, agree it was found empty. Second, the post-resurrection appearances reported by multiple sources. And third, the dramatic transformation of the disciples, who went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming the resurrection, even under threat of death. These are historical facts that demand an explanation."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, but transformation doesn’t necessarily prove a resurrection, right? Bart, what’s your take?"

Bart Ehrman:
"That’s a fair point, Joe. The transformation of the disciples is compelling, but it doesn’t prove Jesus rose from the dead. People can have profound experiences—visions, dreams, or even psychological phenomena—that change their lives. What we need to ask is whether the accounts of the resurrection are reliable and if there’s another explanation for these transformations."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., you’ve written extensively about this. How do you see the resurrection in the bigger picture of Christianity?"

N.T. Wright:
"The resurrection isn’t just about proving that Jesus rose from the dead—it’s about what that event signifies. It’s the beginning of God’s new creation, a turning point in history. The evidence—like the empty tomb and the appearances—is compelling, but it’s the larger context that makes it transformative. The resurrection gave Jesus’ followers a new vision of what it means to live, die, and hope for the future."

Joe Rogan:
"Stephen, what about you? How do you connect the resurrection to the bigger questions of life and faith?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Great question, Joe. For me, the resurrection is more than just a historical claim—it’s a philosophical and theological turning point. If Jesus rose from the dead, it validates his claims about God, humanity, and salvation. It also provides an answer to some of the biggest questions we face: What happens after death? Is there meaning to life? The resurrection speaks to all of that."

Joe Rogan:
"Let’s get practical for a second. People might say, ‘This is just a faith claim. Why should I care?’ Gary, how do you respond to that?"

Gary Habermas:
"I’d say this: if the resurrection happened, it’s the most important event in history. It means there’s a God who cares about us, a purpose to our existence, and hope beyond death. That’s not just a religious claim—it’s a worldview shift. And the evidence makes it worth taking seriously."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, last word on this before we break?"

Bart Ehrman:
"I think it’s important to keep the conversation open. The resurrection is a profound claim, and while I don’t personally believe it happened, I respect the effort to ground it in historical evidence. At the end of the day, these are questions that each person has to wrestle with."

Joe Rogan:
"Fair enough. Alright, we’ll be back in a moment to unpack some of the most common objections to the resurrection and how scholars respond to them."

Addressing Skepticism

Joe Rogan:
"Welcome back, folks. We’ve heard a lot about the evidence and significance of the resurrection, but let’s face it—not everyone buys into it. So, let’s tackle skepticism head-on. Bart, let’s start with you. Why do you think so many people—yourself included—remain skeptical about the resurrection?"

Bart Ehrman:
"Well, Joe, skepticism is natural when it comes to extraordinary claims. The resurrection is an event unlike anything else in history, so we should approach it with a critical eye. One reason for skepticism is the reliance on ancient texts, which often reflect the beliefs and biases of the people writing them. Add to that the lack of contemporary, independent accounts, and it’s hard to treat it as a straightforward historical fact."

Joe Rogan:
"Stephen, Bart raises a good point. How do you respond to the idea that the resurrection accounts are biased or unreliable?"

Stephen Meyer:
"It’s a valid concern, Joe. All historical documents reflect the perspectives of their authors. What makes the Gospels unique is the level of detail and the consistency of their accounts, combined with external corroboration from non-Christian sources like Josephus and Tacitus. The challenge isn’t eliminating bias—it’s weighing the evidence in light of all available data. The transformation of the disciples and their willingness to die for their testimony is also hard to explain away as mere bias."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, you’ve said people die for things they believe in all the time, even if those things aren’t true. Is that what you think happened here?"

Bart Ehrman:
"Exactly, Joe. People can be sincerely wrong. Take modern examples of cult leaders or doomsday predictions—they have followers who believe wholeheartedly, even to the point of death. The sincerity of the disciples doesn’t prove the resurrection—it just shows they believed it happened."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, I can see how that makes sense. How do you counter the argument that the disciples were just mistaken?"

Gary Habermas:
"It’s an important point, Joe. The difference here is the nature of their belief. The disciples weren’t just holding onto a vague idea—they claimed to have physically seen and interacted with the risen Jesus. Mistaken beliefs don’t explain the empty tomb, the multiple independent appearances, or the radical shift in their behavior. Those facts demand a better explanation."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., let’s bring you in. One thing skeptics often bring up is the possibility of legendary development—that the resurrection story grew over time. What do you think?"

N.T. Wright:
"The idea of legend development doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, Joe. The resurrection accounts are remarkably early. Paul’s letters, which reference the resurrection, date to within 20 years of the event. That’s not enough time for legends to develop, especially in a community that valued eyewitness testimony. And don’t forget, these stories emerged in a context hostile to the idea of a resurrected Messiah—this wasn’t the kind of claim people would make lightly."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, but Bart, let’s say the disciples weren’t lying, and it’s not just legend. What else could explain their belief?"

Bart Ehrman:
"One possibility is that they had visions or hallucinations of Jesus. We know from psychology that grief can trigger powerful experiences, and those experiences can feel real. It doesn’t take a resurrection to explain why people might believe they’ve seen someone after their death."

Joe Rogan:
"Stephen, is that a fair critique? Could the resurrection appearances have been hallucinations?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Hypothetically, sure, but it doesn’t explain the full picture. Hallucinations are individual experiences, not group phenomena, and the resurrection appearances were reported by multiple people in different settings. It also doesn’t account for the empty tomb. If the body had been in the tomb, the authorities could’ve easily disproven the resurrection claim."

Joe Rogan:
"This is fascinating stuff. Let’s wrap up this segment with final thoughts. Bart, for the skeptics listening, what would you say?"

Bart Ehrman:
"I’d say it’s okay to ask questions and seek evidence. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and it’s worth exploring both sides critically."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, how about you?"

Gary Habermas:
"I’d encourage people to look at the cumulative case. It’s not about one piece of evidence but the convergence of historical, archaeological, and testimonial data that makes the resurrection a compelling explanation."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., final word?"

N.T. Wright:
"The resurrection isn’t just a puzzle to solve—it’s a story that invites us to rethink everything. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, it’s worth wrestling with the evidence and what it might mean for your life."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, let’s take a quick break. When we come back, we’ll talk about how to engage with people who have completely different beliefs. Stay tuned."

Engaging Non-Believers

Joe Rogan:
"Welcome back, everyone. We’ve explored the evidence and skepticism around Jesus’ resurrection, but now I want to talk about how believers can engage with people who don’t share their faith. Stephen, let’s start with you. You’ve talked to a lot of skeptics—what’s your approach?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Thanks, Joe. The first thing I try to do is listen. When you’re engaging with non-believers, it’s not about winning an argument—it’s about understanding their perspective and showing respect. I also focus on presenting evidence that goes beyond personal experience, so the conversation isn’t just about my faith but about objective reasons for belief."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, from your perspective, what works and what doesn’t when Christians try to talk to skeptics?"

Bart Ehrman:
"Great question, Joe. What doesn’t work is dismissing people’s doubts or treating skepticism as a lack of morality or intelligence. What does work is honesty—being upfront about what we know, what we don’t, and why we believe what we do. It’s also important to acknowledge that faith involves an element of trust that goes beyond evidence."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, you’ve debated skeptics for years. What’s been your biggest takeaway?"

Gary Habermas:
"The key is humility, Joe. You’re not going to convince anyone by being combative or condescending. Instead, focus on building bridges. One thing I emphasize is that even though we may disagree, we’re all seeking answers to life’s big questions. Finding common ground makes the conversation much more meaningful."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., you’ve written about how the early Christians spread their message in a hostile environment. What can we learn from that?"

N.T. Wright:
"The early Christians were remarkable in how they engaged with others. They didn’t just argue—they lived out their faith in ways that made people take notice. They cared for the poor, treated women with dignity, and built communities that transcended social barriers. For us today, the challenge is to embody that same spirit—to live lives that make others curious about what drives us."

Joe Rogan:
"Stephen, let’s talk strategy. What’s the most important thing to keep in mind when discussing something as big as the resurrection with a non-believer?"

Stephen Meyer:
"Patience, Joe. Conversations about faith aren’t one-and-done—they’re a journey. I also think it’s important to address the person’s specific questions. For example, some people are more concerned about scientific objections, while others are wrestling with emotional or moral doubts. Tailoring the conversation to their concerns makes a huge difference."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, when you were a Christian, did you ever struggle with how to talk to people who didn’t believe?"

Bart Ehrman:
"Absolutely, Joe. One thing I struggled with was the tendency to feel defensive when someone questioned my beliefs. Over time, I realized that questioning isn’t an attack—it’s an opportunity to think more deeply about what you believe and why. That’s something I encourage both believers and skeptics to embrace."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, what’s one mistake you think believers make when engaging with skeptics?"

Gary Habermas:
"One big mistake is assuming that everyone’s objections are purely intellectual. For many people, doubts about faith are tied to personal experiences—maybe they’ve been hurt by religious institutions or struggled with suffering. Recognizing that and responding with empathy goes a long way."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., any final thoughts on this before we wrap up?"

N.T. Wright:
"Yes, Joe. I think the most powerful way to engage non-believers is to invite them into the story of the resurrection—not as something to argue about but as something to explore together. The story of Jesus isn’t just about proving a point—it’s about offering hope, purpose, and a vision of life that’s bigger than ourselves."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, this has been a fascinating discussion. When we come back, we’ll dive into the final topic—how to wrestle with doubts and questions while staying true to what you believe. Don’t go anywhere."

Acknowledging Doubt and Inquiry

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, welcome back. We’ve covered a lot of ground—evidence, skepticism, and how to engage with others. Now I want to ask something that hits closer to home for a lot of people: What do you do with doubt? Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, doubt seems to be part of the human experience. N.T., let’s start with you. How do you see doubt in the context of faith?"

N.T. Wright:
"Doubt is a natural part of faith, Joe. It’s not the opposite of belief—it’s often the companion to it. Throughout history, great thinkers and saints have wrestled with doubt, and that struggle has often deepened their understanding of God. Faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting in the midst of questions."

Joe Rogan:
"That’s deep. Stephen, as a philosopher, how do you approach doubt?"

Stephen Meyer:
"I think doubt is an invitation to dig deeper. When we encounter questions or challenges, they push us to examine the foundations of our beliefs. For me, doubt has often led to breakthroughs, whether it’s in philosophy, science, or faith. It’s a process of refining what you believe and why."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, I know you’ve gone through your own journey from belief to skepticism. How do you handle doubt?"

Bart Ehrman:
"For me, Joe, doubt was what led me to where I am today. It’s not something to fear—it’s something to explore. I think the danger comes when people feel they’re not allowed to question their beliefs. In my experience, the truth stands up to scrutiny. If something is true, it can handle our doubts and questions."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, what about you? You’ve spent years defending the resurrection—do you ever have doubts?"

Gary Habermas:
"Absolutely, Joe. I think everyone has doubts at some point. The key is how you respond to them. For me, I turn to the evidence. The historical and philosophical foundations of my faith give me confidence, even when I don’t have all the answers. Doubt isn’t a reason to give up—it’s a reason to keep searching."

Joe Rogan:
"N.T., you mentioned earlier that many great thinkers wrestled with doubt. Can you give an example?"

N.T. Wright:
"Sure, Joe. One example is C.S. Lewis, who went from atheism to Christianity after years of questioning and wrestling with his doubts. His journey shows that doubt doesn’t have to end in disbelief—it can lead to a stronger, more thoughtful faith. He once said, 'Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.'"

Joe Rogan:
"Stephen, you’ve talked about the importance of inquiry. How do you recommend people handle their doubts?"

Stephen Meyer:
"My advice is to be honest with yourself and seek out reliable sources. Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions—faith isn’t about avoiding them. Surround yourself with people who can offer wisdom and guidance, and don’t rush the process. Doubt can be a powerful teacher if you let it."

Joe Rogan:
"Bart, do you think believers and skeptics approach doubt differently?"

Bart Ehrman:
"I think they do, Joe, but the difference isn’t as big as we might think. Both groups are searching for answers to life’s big questions. The difference is often in how they interpret the evidence and where they place their trust. But at the core, we’re all grappling with the same fundamental uncertainties."

Joe Rogan:
"Gary, last question for you. What do you say to someone who’s struggling with doubt but wants to hold on to their faith?"

Gary Habermas:
"I’d say, first, you’re not alone. Doubt is part of the journey for almost everyone. Second, focus on the core of your faith—what you know to be true—and build from there. And third, don’t be afraid to seek answers. The resurrection, for example, isn’t just a matter of blind faith—it’s grounded in evidence that can strengthen your confidence even in times of doubt."

Joe Rogan:
"Alright, this has been an incredible conversation. We’ve explored the evidence, engaged with skepticism, and wrestled with doubt. Thanks to all of you for bringing your perspectives to the table. For everyone listening, the big takeaway here seems to be that it’s okay to question and explore—just don’t stop searching for the truth. See you next time."

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