Thomas Sherlock
Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus
"Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus" by Thomas Sherlock is a theological discourse likely written in the early 18th century. The work engages in a critical examination of the evidence surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, specifically addressing the arguments presented by an opponent named Woolston, who questioned the validity of Christ's miracles and resurrection. Sherlock organizes his inquiry in a trial format, presenting a debate on whether the legal and logical grounds of evidence support the resurrection claim. At the start of the work, a group of gentlemen, who are all familiar with one another, discusses Woolston's recent trial and subsequent arguments against the miracles attributed to Jesus. This conversation organically evolves into a formal debate, with one participant agreeing to defend the evidence for the resurrection against the objections raised by Woolston. The mood is light-hearted at first, but as the discourse unfolds, it becomes a serious examination of both the nature of evidence and the historical claims surrounding Jesus's resurrection. The gentlemen explore various objections and defences, leading to greater deliberations on what constitutes valid evidence, ultimately setting the stage for a rigorous engagement with the opposing viewpoints regarding this foundational aspect of Christian theology.