The Christian Clinician: Faith-Based Functional Medicine for Christian Women in Midlife

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? Investigating the Evidence for the Resurrection

The Christian Clinician: Faith-Based Functional Medicine for Christian Women in Midlife

Show Notes

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter launches a three-part apologetic series on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, focusing on the "minimal facts argument." As a practitioner who combines faith with evidence-based medicine, Dr. Tanya Paynter discusses how understanding historical evidence for the resurrection can strengthen both faith and well-being. She walks through the first two of five widely accepted minimal historical facts: Jesus’ death by crucifixion and the disciples’ genuine belief in his resurrection. The episode also highlights the value of early oral creeds, extra-biblical accounts, and even medical insights. Dr. Tanya Paynter encourages listeners to engage deeply with the evidence and to let their discoveries inform both mind and spirit.

Today's Action Steps Investigate the minimal facts argument for yourself and assess the level of historical confidence you require when evaluating evidence. Research the dating and significance of the oral creed in 1 Corinthians 15, as referenced in the episode. Reflect on what would motivate you to risk everything for a belief, using the disciples’ transformation as a model. Seek out additional resources on the historical evidence for the resurrection to deepen your own understanding. Recognize the connection between a secure faith and physical health, and allow truth to bring you greater peace.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998. “CHURCH FATHERS: Contra Celsum, Book II (Origen).” Accessed November 17, 2024. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04162.htm. Edwards, William D., Wesley J. Gabel, and Floyd E. Hosmer. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” JAMA 255, no. 11 (March 21, 1986): 1455–63. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1986.03370110077025. Eusebius. “CHURCH FATHERS: Church History, Book II (Eusebius).” Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250102.htm. Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. 2nd ed. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022. Habermas, Gary R. The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ. 11th ed. Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing Company, 1996. Habermas, Gary R. The Risen Jesus and Future Hope. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2003. Habermas, Gary R., and Michael R. Licona. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2004. Smithsonian’s Department of Anthropology. Letter. “The Bible as History.” Letter, n.d. https://csnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/SmithsonianLetter-o.pdf. Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2007. Tacitus. “The Internet Classics Archive | The Annals by Tacitus.” Accessed November 21, 2024. https://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/annals.11.xv.html.

Timestamps 02:02 – What counts as historical proof and standards for evaluating ancient events 05:24 – An introduction to the minimal facts argument and its five core claims 06:28 – Fact #1: The historical documentation of Jesus’ crucifixion 08:30 – Synoptic Gospel accounts and extra-biblical corroboration 09:46 – Non-Christian sources and archaeological evidence supporting crucifixion 11:23 – Medical evidence reviewed by modern physicians 12:15 – Debunking the “swoon theory” and affirming Jesus’ actual death 13:24 – Fact #2: Evidence for disciples’ genuine belief in Christ’s resurrection 13:58 – The disciples’ post-crucifixion transformation and willingness to die for their belief 15:28 – Multiple sources confirming unwavering apostolic faith and message 16:11 – Consistency of the gospel and non-Christian affirmations 16:50 – The unexpected shift in Jewish tradition and rapid adoption of new beliefs 17:25 – The dating and importance of the early oral creed in 1 Cor 15 23:18 – Reflection: Would you risk everything for your beliefs? 24:29 – Romans 10:9 and the per

More from The Christian Clinician: Faith-Based Functional Medicine for Christian Women in Midlife

Oct 15, 2026

If your anxiety treatment isn’t working the way you hoped, the problem may not be the treatment itself — it may be that you haven’t identified the anxiety triggers actually driving your symptoms. The missing piece may be something you haven’t connected to anxiety at all, which is why changing medications, adding supplements, or trying another stress-management strategy may not be enough. In this episode of The Christian Clinician, Dr. Tanya Paynter looks at some of the less obvious contributors to anxiety that don’t always get much attention in a conventional anxiety workup. Instead of assuming every case of anxiety needs the same solution, she walks through how patterns in your symptoms can help point you toward the kinds of anxiety treatment that are more likely to fit what’s actually going on. Could a supplement that seems perfectly reasonable on paper be the wrong choice for you once your nutrient status, genetics, and everything else you’re taking are considered? Could something as ordinary as when you have your coffee, how you use your phone, or where you feel anxiety in your body offer clues about what’s driving it? And could two episodes that you both call “anxiety” actually be coming from very different places? Some of the clues can be measured. Others require paying attention to patterns you may have never thought were relevant. And some take the investigation in an entirely different direction — into the things you believe about yourself, the relationships around you, and even assumptions about God that you may consciously reject but still react to as though they were true. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: Why conventional anxiety treatment doesn’t work for everyone How to start identifying your underlying anxiety triggers Which labs are worth discussing with your healthcare provider Why expensive specialty testing isn’t necessarily the best place to start One five minute practice that can point you to what you’ve been missing How to distinguish biochemical anxiety (anxiety as a result of a physical imbalance) from anxiety tied to thoughts, emotions, or circumstances Identifying how control may contribute How beliefs (sometimes unconscious beliefs) about yourself and God can become part of the anxiety picture How relationships impact anxiety (are yours helpful or harmful?)

Oct 8, 2026

High-functioning anxiety doesn’t always look like anxiety. It can look like productivity, overthinking, perfectionism, staying busy, taking care of everyone else, and feeling responsible for outcomes you were never meant to control. In this episode, Dr. Tanya Paynter talks with licensed professional counselor Ashley Hageman about anxiety in Christian women, the need for control, shame, over-responsibility, faith, and why “just have more faith” can make things worse instead of better.

Oct 1, 2026

Why am I anxious for no reason? If you've tried everything — cut the caffeine, managed your stress, worked on trusting God more — and anxiety is still your default, it's time to dig deeper. In this episode, Dr. Tanya Paynter explores overlooked physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational contributors that anxiety conversations almost never explore — including food sensitivities, supplement interactions, blood sugar, genetic factors, toxic relationships, and the beliefs about God your body holds onto even when your mind thinks you've settled them. If anxiety feels like a mystery you can't solve, this episode is your starting point.

Sep 24, 2026

Dr. Paynter says: "I have people coming to me saying some people say I should be on the carnivore diet, and other people are swearing it has to be vegan — and you have testimonies for both extremes. What am I supposed to do with that?"

Sep 17, 2026

Many Christian women are dealing with chronic symptoms — anxiety, fatigue, hormone imbalance, thyroid issues, gut problems, insomnia, or just feeling "off" — and can't find answers in labs, supplements, or treatment plans alone. In this Season 4 opener, Dr. Tanya Paynter introduces Theophysiology: the framework that will shape the entire season. If your physical symptoms are the last thing to manifest, not the first, then healing requires looking at all five areas of health — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational — and understanding how each one shapes the others. If you've been doing everything right and still don't feel well, this episode is your starting point.

See all episodes →