Copyright © 2019 Suheil Odeh Madanat All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. EVIDENCE FOR THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST EXAMINED THROUGH THE ISLAMIC LAW __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Suheil Odeh Madanat December 2019 APPROVAL SHEET EVIDENCE FOR THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST EXAMINED THROUGH THE ISLAMIC LAW Suheil Odeh Madanat Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Theodore J. Cabal (Chair) __________________________________________ Ayman S. Ibrahim __________________________________________ Timothy K. Beougher Date______________________________ To Abeer, the virtuous wife who is clothed in strength and dignity, and our two sons, Layth and Louay TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................1 The Evidentiary Challenge ..................................................................................2 Christian Claims and Islamic Denials .................................................................6 Thesis ..................................................................................................................9 Limitations and Delimitations .............................................................................9 Significance .......................................................................................................10 Why the Islamic World? .......................................................................... 10 Why Evidential Historical Apologetics? ................................................. 11 Apologetics vs. Polemics ......................................................................... 23 Evaluating the Juridical Approach in the West ....................................... 29 Why the Islamic Law? ............................................................................. 32 Originality of the Study ........................................................................... 36 A Brief Overview of the History of Juridical....................................................36 Apologetics in the West ....................................................................................36 Methodology .....................................................................................................44 Personal Interest and Background .....................................................................46 2. AN OVERVIEW OF ISLAMIC LAW ................................................................47 Nature, Formation, and Features .......................................................................48 Sources and Formation ............................................................................ 50 Concluding the Formative Period and Closing Ijtihād Gates .................. 62 iv Chapter Page Islamicity of the Law ............................................................................... 65 Components of Islamic Law .................................................................... 66 The Islamic Law School Selected for This Study ................................... 68 The Tension between Stagnation and Development in Islamic Law ................74 Attempted Solutions ................................................................................ 74 Current Islamic Reactions ........................................................................ 78 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 85 Introductory Overview of Court .......................................................................85 Procedure and Evidence ....................................................................................85 Court System ........................................................................................... 86 Admissibility of a Lawsuit ....................................................................... 90 Penal Law ................................................................................................ 91 Standard of Proof ..................................................................................... 93 Burden of Proof ....................................................................................... 95 Categories of Evidence ............................................................................ 97 3. AUTHENTICITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT DOCUMENTS .....................98 De Jure Admissibility of Documentary Evidence ............................................99 Documents between Theory and Practice .............................................. 100 Rules for Admissibility of Documents .................................................. 101 Broad Principles vs. New Testament Documents .................................. 103 The Evidence of Istiṣḥāb ....................................................................... 104 De Facto Admissibility of Documentary Evidence ........................................106 Compilation and Authentication of the Qur’ān ..................................... 107 New Testament Authenticity vs. Qur’ān Authenticity .......................... 120 Compilation and Authentication of the Sunna ....................................... 157 New Testament Authenticity vs. Sunna Authenticity ............................ 169 v Chapter Page The Islamic Story of the Corruption of the New Testament ................. 178 Conclusion ......................................................................................................183 4. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY AND CONFESSION ........................................184 Eyewitness Testimony ....................................................................................184 Number and Gender of Eyewitnesses .................................................... 185 Qualifications of Eyewitnesses .............................................................. 186 Consistency of Testimonies ................................................................... 207 Confession .......................................................................................................227 Compliance with Confession under Islamic Law .................................. 229 Confession by Paul ................................................................................ 231 Confession by James .............................................................................. 233 5. EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE ........................................................................................................236 Expert Witness Testimony ..............................................................................236 Circumstantial Evidence .................................................................................242 The Empty Tomb ................................................................................... 247 The Origin of Christianity ..................................................................... 253 Sunday Worship and the Eucharist ........................................................ 255 Archaeology and Ancient Literature ..................................................... 255 Miracles and Visions ............................................................................. 263 Christianity and Civilization .................................................................. 265 6. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................272 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 276 vi PREFACE The resurrection of Jesus Christ captivates my entire being like no other reality. It is the dazzling ultimate evidence that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and it is the guarantee of my own resurrection. I see no surer evidence; no greater inheritance. At the same time, no deadlier lie has ever been devised after the serpent’s lie in Eden than denying this reality and depriving billions of the life and glory that are in the crucified and risen Christ. This dissertation is another apologetic tool aimed at exposing this lie and opening their eyes. I have been immensely blessed to have Dr. Ted Cabal as my doctoral supervisor and, before that, as my instructor during the coursework. His passionate encouragement and wise guidance were fuel and light throughout this wonderful journey. I thank Dr. Ayman Ibrahim and Dr. Tim Beougher for serving on the dissertation committee, and Dr. David Johnston for serving as the external reader. I also thank the now-retired Dr. James Parker for his effort during the coursework, and Dr. Albert Mohler for his distinguished leadership. To these godly and knowledgeable men, I will remain ever grateful. Graduating from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, this monumental institution in both its unwavering commitment to the Truth and its highest academic standards, is an undeserved honor for which I thank the Lord of Southern. Suheil