McDowell is making a strong apologetic for the resurrection. That is to say, he believes that any rational person would agree with his conclusions. However, as Christian philosopher of religion Stephen T. Davis wrote, "disbelief in the resurrection does seem to be a rational position" (1984, p. 158).
The Contemporary Debate on the Resurrection
Secular Objections to the Resurrection
Assessment
Summary
I think there are two main flaws in McDowell's approach. First, I think his approach to miracles is downright naive. McDowell seems to think that anyone who rejects the resurrection must have an "a priori" bias against the miraculous. However, as I showed in chapter 3, a rational person can reject the resurrection without having ruled out the miraculous. Indeed, one could be a declared supernaturalist and reject the material resurrection McDowell defends.
This leads to my second main criticism of McDowell. McDowell assumes, without so much as even acknowledging the other viewpoint, the "material" understanding of the resurrection. But as I showed in chapter 1, there are two possible ways to understand the resurrection. Even if all of McDowell's historical arguments are correct, and there was an empty tomb, protected by a Roman guard, etc., that would do little to bolster the Easter faith for those in the Christian community who do not believe the resurrection body was/is a material body.
Perhaps what is most disturbing about McDowell's entire approach to apologetics is his flippancy. I remember when McDowell spoke in chapel at SPU and he made the following statement:
You know, I wish more people would try to disprove the resurrection! You know, because then we'd have more Christians, and they'd know why they believe what they believe.
McDowell is making a strong apologetic for the resurrection. That is to say, he believes that any rational person would agree with his conclusions. However, as Christian philosopher of religion Stephen T. Davis wrote, "disbelief in the resurrection does seem to be a rational position" (1984, p. 158).
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