The Centrality of the Empty Tomb to Christian Faith

?I find that Holy Week is draining; no matter how many times I have lived through his crucifixion, my anxiety about his resurrection is undiminished?I am terrified that, this year, it won?t happen; that that year it didn?t. Anyone can be sentimental about the nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event; if you don?t believe in the resurrection, you?re not a believer.

?If you don?t believe in Easter,? Owen Meany said. ?Don?t kid yourself?Don?t call yourself a Christian.?

John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany