The hypothesis that Jesus did not die on the cross does not fit all the evidence.

• Dr. Habermas and Dr. Licona provide a more complete response to this hypothesis in their book The Case for the Resurrection, including some of my points below:1

  • Does not fit with what we understand about crucifixion, as one of the most likely causes of death is asphyxiation.2 As the victim hangs down on the cross, they cannot breathe; and when the victim becomes tired of pushing up, they eventually asphyxiate. It would be very difficult to fake death knowing this fact.

  • Does not account for the experiences the disciples had, which provided confidence in Jesus' resurrection, not the need to get a doctor.

  • Does not account for Paul's conversion experience.

The hypothesis that Jesus' disciples stole His body, so that it appeared that Jesus was resurrected, does not fit all the evidence.

• Dr. Habermas and Dr. Licona provide a more complete response to this hypothesis in their book The Case for the Resurrection, including some of my points below:1

  • Does not fit with the disciples willigness to die for their convictions. People are willing to die for a cause, but not a lie they know is not true.

  • Does not fit with experiences of Paul or James, as they would not have been in on this scheme.

The hypothesis that the disciplines hallucinated seeing Jesus after His death does not fit all the evidence.

• Dr. Habermas and Dr. Licona provide a more complete response to this hypothesis in their book The Case for the Resurrection, including some of my points below:1

  • Although people do have hallucinations, people do not have group hallucinations, which are claimed in the gospels. One example is the passage below, which comes from an early Christian creed:

    • For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:3-7 CSB emphasis added)

  • Does not fit with experiences of Paul or James, as they would not have been in the mindset amenable to an hallucination.

  • Does not fit with the empty tomb.