Many believe that the resurrection accounts are merely "stories of faith". These phrase could simply mean that the gospel writers guided by the Spirit (2Tim 3:16) selected from the extant tradition elements that suited their particular purpose for writing. Furthermore, that the stories they present, view events from the perspective of faith (rather than simply recounting a historical record alone). These evangelists are believers and speak in terms of belief.However, the above phrase may have a meaning that is unacceptable to me at least. While I accept that differences are found among the accounts of the resurrection appearances, I don't accept that these differences mean that we can treat these versions as reducible to the whims and fancies of human writers. The scriptures are completely trustworthy in what they intend which is to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim 3.15).
One feature that NT Wright presented http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/aprilweb-only/114-42.0.html as earning special attention re the Resurrection accounts is the absence of scripture verses. (I've never noticed this feature before!) Up until the resurrection stage in the unfolding of the story of Jesus, OT scriptures are directly quoted or alluded to throughout the records. But, once we get to the resurrection accounts, nothing.
And why might that be? St Paul did not have any trouble citing OT parallels for the resurrection but the gospel writers are silent. One possible reason is that the gospel writers are drawing on an old, oral tradition that has no explanation for the resurrection. It is beyond the experience of the Jewish disciples.
Of course, the Jews knew about people being raised from the dead but Jesus' resurrection is not mere resuscitation. He is not an animated corpse who will die again in due course. Although, He is a real living person, He is a person whom the disciples recognise but not always easily. He also passes through locked doors as well and can come and go to heaven.
Wright therefore concluded that what we get in the gospels is the resurrection unedited and without gloss. Sure, minor differences occur among the evangelists but the core the story is the same: Jesus dies, is buried in an unused sepulchre which is guarded by Roman decree but on the third day Jesus' body is nowhere to be found. He then begins to appear to individuals and to groups who are in the main slow to believe that this is Jesus their Master.
All these accounts are more than individual stories of faith; they are versions emerging from a community of faith, which is convinced that it has seen the Risen Lord.
