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Peace In Believing Ministries
Devotional Lessons
"grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." - 2 Peter 3:18

Easter Series #47
03/28/2019, by John Kincaid

Lesson 2015: Resurrection Alternatives, Pt.4

Unbelievers offer the “Hallucination” theory as an alternative explanation for the resurrection:
 
In this theory, the appearances were just visions, mass hysteria.  A woman claimed she saw it, the experience became contagious; soon others could “see” it too.

Prophecies had prepared the followers to expect this, so it became self-fulfilling, as a delusion to help them out of their despair. 

This explanation was also recorded in the 2nd century.
 
Obstacles:  perhaps this would be feasible if only one person made the claim, but the disciples were toughened fishermen, and not prone to hallucinate, especially Thomas.

The 1 Cor.15:6 report of 500+ people seeing Jesus after Easter is not consistent with medical knowledge of mass hallucinations.
 
Acts 1:3 presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
 
Why would these visions suddenly stop for everyone after 40 days?

This theory does not address the problem of an empty tomb.

Peace In Believing Ministries
Greenville, SC

 

For Further Reading

These authors and books
were helpful in preparing
this series:

Paul L. Maier:
   "In the Fullness of Time"
Warren Wiersbe:
   "Bible Exposition
    Commentary"
J. Vernon McGee:
   "Thru the Bible
    Commentary"
John F. Walvoord:
   "Bible Knowledge
    Commentary"
William MacDonald:
   "Believer's Bible
    Commentary"
William Hendriksen,
Simon Kistemaker:
   "Baker New Testament
   Commentary"
Paul Enns:
   "Moody Handbook
    of Theology"

Copyright © 2019 Peace In Believing Ministries, All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are from: The Holy Bible: English
Standard Version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

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