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Today, I continue my summary of Gary Habermas’ minimal facts argument for the historicity of the resurrection as presented in The Risen Jesus & Future Hope. The sixth fact which is conceded by almost all scholars is Saul’s conversion due to his experience which he believed was an appearance of the risen Jesus.

Saul of Tarsus was a zealous Jew who was aggressively fighting against the Christian message, when suddenly he was converted and transformed while on the way to Damascus. What brought about this transformation was what Paul believed was an appearance of the resurrected Jesus. Non-Pauline confirmation of this story is presented in Act 9:1-9; 22:1-11; 26:9-19. Paul himself testifies to this encounter more than once:

1 Corinthians 9:1 - Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

1 Corinthians 15:8 - Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Galatians 1:14-17 - And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

(All scripture from the ESV.)

Such a dramatic turn-around requires an equally dramatic explanation. Paul provides the answer: He claims to have seen the risen Jesus. That transformed his life to the point that he eventually gave his life for that message.

Next, a summation of the minimal facts argument.