Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? Part 2: The Theories

Posted On November 27, 2020

Review of the Facts

Recall from Part 1 that when we investigate the evidence for the resurrection, we use a logical process called abductive reasoning. This is also known as “inference to the best explanation.”

In this process, we identify as many solid, known facts surrounding the events as we possibly can. Then, we look at competing theories of what might have happened and see how all the facts fit. If the theory is right, the truth of what happened, we know that all the facts will nicely fit. If on the other hand just one fact does not fit, then that theory must be discarded.

Also, recall that due to the work of Gary Habermas, we have 5 minimal facts that all serious historians and scholars agree upon, including non-Christian skeptics.[1] These facts include:

  1. Jesus died by Roman crucifixion.
  2. The tomb was found empty just a few days later.
  3. The disciples believed he rose from the dead and appeared to them.
  4. James, bother of Jesus and a skeptic, was converted due to what he believed was an appearance of the risen Jesus.
  5. Paul, an enemy, was converted due to what he believed was an appearance of the risen Jesus.

The Theories

So what are all the possible theories?[2]

The numbers are facts that do not fit the theory.

The Resurrection is a legend (2, 3, 4, 5)

The Resurrection is simply a fabrication that was made up and evolved over a long period of time, to try to vindicate a leader long since dead, or validate the teachings of Jesus and his claims. We see this taught in many “religious studies” classes. It would be like telling stories around the campfire. The stories get exaggerated.

  • If the resurrection was an embellishment over time, it would mean that the original story told by the disciples did not include resurrection. But we know that it did.[3]
  • The facts tell us that the disciples believed they saw the risen Jesus.
  • Appearances were the cause of the conversions of Paul and James. So the Resurrection could not have been a later invention.
  • The legend theory fails on the appearances. It also fails on the empty tomb.

Disciples lied or stole the body (3, 4, 5)

This is a conspiracy theory. Jesus’ disciples went to his tomb and stole his body, then lied about it.

  • This fails on the appearances, because it would mean there were no appearances to anybody.
  • James and Paul wouldn’t be convinced by only a missing body. They would suspect foul play. If we found out the grave of Joseph Smith was now empty, would that be enough for us to want to change our faith to Mormonism?
  • The disciples were totally changed and willing to die for their beliefs. We know for sure that many of them did. People don’t die for what they know is a lie. Especially deaths involving torture.
  • Why did the disciples change? Because they had proof that there is life after death, so they weren’t afraid of death anymore.
  • Only a very small number of critical scholars have opted for this view in last 200 years.

Someone other than the disciples stole the body (3, 4, 5)

There were basically three parties present at the time: the early believers (disciples), the Jews, and the Romans.

  • Why would the Jews or Romans steal the body? If they wanted to crush Christianity, which they did, then to steal the body would not be in their best interest. Instead, they would want to produce a body to show everyone.
  • Even if someone else stole the body, it doesn’t really matter. Again, an empty tomb alone does not account for anybody’s belief that they had seen the risen Jesus. So, the stolen body theory fails on the appearances.
  • A missing body isn’t enough to convince anyone of a resurrection. Mary Magdalene thought the gardener took the body. Peter was not convinced. And Thomas had to see Jesus before believing.
  • Very few scholars have held this view in the 20thcentury.

Wrong or Unknown tomb (3, 4, 5)

The witnesses went to the wrong tomb, or the body of Jesus was thrown into a common pit grave unknown to the disciples. Maybe his body was eaten by wild dogs.

  • It is very unlikely that nobody knew where the body was. William Lane Craig puts it this way: “A wrong tomb theory assumes that all the Jews and Romans had a kind of collective amnesia about what they had done with the body.”
  • The wrong or unknown tomb misses on all the appearances. This is another case where a missing body alone will not convince anyone of a Resurrection.
  • Really, it is the appearances that changed everything, and caused Christianity to take off like wildfire.

Apparent Death (1, 3, 4, 5)

Jesus didn’t really die on the cross but fell into a coma and survived. The cold air and spices in the tomb resuscitated him.

  • Highly unlikely considering the nature of scourging and crucifixion. No one survived crucifixion.
  • Even if he revived, unwrapped himself, and managed to escape from the tomb, he would be near death, with terribly crippling, mutilating wounds.
  • The disciples would not believe he came back from the dead. They would want to get him a doctor and hide him.
  • This theory misses on the fact that he did die, and on all of the appearances.

Hallucination (2, 3, 4, 5)

When the disciples, James, and Paul claimed they saw the risen Jesus, they had actually only seen hallucinations.

  • This might work if Jesus supposedly appeared to just one person. But science has shown us that hallucinations are personal. Multiple people don’t hallucinate the same thing.
  • (Note that both Mormonism and Islam rely on private visions of just one man, in each case.)
  • Why would an enemy, Paul, or a skeptic, James, hallucinate Jesus?
  • Some modern skeptics respond to the appearances by saying that “we’ll never know what the early disciples really saw.” But this just rejects the conclusion and walks away. That answer is not sufficient. The appearances require an explanation.

Jesus had a twin, or there was an imposter (2, 3, 4, 5)

Jesus died and was buried, but shortly afterwards his long lost identical twin brother or another imposter emerged on scene and was worshiped as the risen Jesus.

  • Fails on the empty tomb. Jesus’ body would be in it and that could have been verified.
  • Would require a conspiracy to put the twin on the scene at just the right time. Who would do this and what is the motive?
  • Mary, Jesus’ mother, would obviously know of a twin. Wouldn’t others, such as Jesus’ brother James, recognize a difference?
  • A suspected imposter could be tested by talking about common past experiences.

A Substitute took Jesus’ place on the cross (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Someone else besides Jesus was on the cross. This misses on all 5 facts.

  • Can so many witnesses to the crucifixion be wrong? It would be like saying Abraham Lincoln was not the one killed next to his wife. Was Mary Lincoln mistaken?
  • It doesn’t explain the appearances. Jesus had wounds that his disciples could see.
  • Muslims don’t believe Jesus died on the cross, due to what is said in the Qur’an.[4] But the Qur’an came 600 years after the death of Jesus, so historians do not consider it a reliable source.

Spiritual Resurrection (2, 3, 4, 5)

Jesus’ physical body did not rise from the dead. Instead, he rose from the dead as a spirit. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this.

  • Misses on the empty tomb. Again, that would have been checked.
  • It misses on the appearances. They all thought they had seen Jesus in a real, physical body.
  • Jesus ate fish with them, and they touched him. He proved to them he wasn’t a spirit.

Jesus Was an Alien (All facts fit)

Like Star Trek. The body on the cross was a very realistic android or robot. It was later exchanged by transporter or teleportation by a cloaked or hidden space ship for the real living alien Jesus after the robot appeared to be dead. All facts fit.

  • As a side point, we could say that by proper definition, Jesus was an alien. He had access to the Father’s power.
  • But this theory is too easy. How do you know I’m not an alien. Maybe all of us are aliens.

Bodily Resurrection (All facts fit)

Jesus actually rose physically from the grave as claimed by the disciples and the rest of the early church. All the facts fit perfectly.

Conclusion

We have to admit that given the facts, no other theory comes close to a real bodily resurrection. The resurrection stands way above all the others. If we’re honest, this is where the evidence leads.

So where does it take us? If Jesus really did rise from the dead, it follows that everything that he said and taught is true. Else, why would God raise up a liar? And the implications are huge.

We’ll discuss that in our next post.

[1]There are at least 12 historical facts that nearly all scholars agree upon, but these five alone are sufficient.

[2]A full analysis of the Resurrection theories can be found in Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregal, 2004).

[3]The New Testament documents are filled with early Resurrection claims, for example, Acts 2:32 and Acts 3:15.

[4]Sura 4:157 says, “And for their saying, ‘We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.’ In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him.”

One Comment
  1. Elaine

    This is wonderful Greg! If I didn’t already, I would have to believe Jesus arose. I’m so glad He did!

    Reply

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