This will be the first post in a series of posts designed to build the case for the resurrection of Jesus. Before we get into the details however, I want to spend some time on some misconceptions on both our side and the opposing side. Often we assume to much in a debate and those assumptions can lead to easy counter arguments and off topic conversations.
Reply in Love
Remember, we are playing the roles of lawyers in a court case. It is very important to keep your debate professional. Especially as Christians it is important to respond in love, gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Whenever we post our responses to even the most livid of atheists, we should always make sure our response can pass all of the criteria mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 because we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).Keep it Focused
Stay on topic! Skeptics will often respond to Christian apologetics by diverting the topic. For example, I have had people consistently bring up pedophilia among Catholic priests in the middle of a debate. When these type of things happen, ignore it. Don't try to defend it, don't try to call them out on trying to divert the conversation, simply ignore it. It's not relevant and they probably know it, it's simply a way to get around answering harder questions.Always make sure they answer your questions. Many times if they do use diverting statements, it is because they do not want to answer your question. Other times it is because they may think it answers your question, but always make sure they answer your question. If you need to, ask the question again.
Build a Case
One piece of evidence is not enough. A question I get often from atheists is "What is the one piece of evidence that makes you believe the resurrection occurred?" Whether they intend it to be or not, if you answer this question, you will have walked into a trap. One piece of evidence is not enough to believe anything at all. There is nothing we believe based solely on one piece of evidence. If you give them only one piece of evidence, they can and will be able to counter it, because anyone can counter one piece of evidence. Even if you say "I saw the resurrected Jesus myself" they could counter with hallucinations or many different things which can manipulate sight. One piece of evidence is never enough evidence.Remember again, we are playing the role of a lawyer. No lawyer can win a case on one piece of evidence alone. We have to build a case based on significant amounts of evidence, not simply one piece. You may want to practice this part and play around with your responses. I rarely answer the question at all and ask them what one piece of evidence makes them believe there is no god. Another response would be to get three or four pieces of evidence you know well and lay them all down at once. It will force the atheist to create a string of counter arguments, to which you can simply reply "Or Jesus was resurrected. Which is the most simple answer?"
They are Watching
You may not be writing these responses for the skeptic themselves. Remember that in public forums many times other people are reading your conversation. This is another reason you want to keep your responses reasonable and professional and loving. Even if the skeptic is being livid, if someone else is reading the conversation, you will lose credibility in their eyes if you are livid right back at them. Rarely have I ever seen a skeptic concede during a debate, but many times I have been contacted days and even weeks later by people who read a debate of mine just to thank me for what I said and how much it encouraged their faith. With this in mind, remember others are paying attention, even if you don't see them.Keep it Short
Keep it as short as you can. Even if they write 10 pages, I often will only write maybe a paragraph or two in response. This assures a few things. One is that they will read your entire response. Long responses are often not read in forums, many TL-DR it (too long, didn't read). Two, it leaves little room for confusion of what you are trying to get across.Some techniques I use to keep it short is only responding to one point at a time. The skeptic may have brought up several points of contention, however, if you reply to all of them, then their response gets longer till no one wants to read either response. Keep it focused. One topic at a time, one question at a time. These type of responses seem to keep the case able to move forward.
