Hallucination Theory

 

As the theory goes, all of Jesus’ post Resurrection appearances were really only “supposed” appearances.

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Three thoughts on this...

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1..  The hallucination theory is simply not plausible because it contradicts laws and principles which psychiatrists say are essential to hallucinations. Psychiatrists claim that only certain kinds of people have hallucinations. These are usually high-strung, highly imaginative, and very nervous people. In fact, usually only paranoid or schizophrenic individuals have hallucinations. More importantly,  Jesus appeared to many different types of people. His appearances were not restricted to people of any particular psychological makeup.

 

2.    Hallucinations are linked to an individual’s subconscious, to his particular past experiences, and this was certainly not a part of any past experience.  How could so many people have hallucinations--especially 500 at one time?

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1 Corinthians 15:6 – “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”

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 Furthermore, the appearances happened under different conditions and were spread out over different times; also, the disciples were reluctant to believe in the Resurrection in the first place. The Hallucination Theory involves a miracle of blindness to reason away the Resurrection. 

 

(Mark 16:11-16; Luke 24:11-12;  John 20:24-30)

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3.  Hallucinations are usually restricted to when and where they occur. They usually occur in a nostalgic atmosphere or in a place of familiar surroundings which places the person to a reminiscing mood. They occur in people when there is a spirit of anticipation or hopeful expectation. The historical record shows no such anticipation existed. They were prone to disbelieve even after they were told of the resurrection.

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Conclusion                                                                                                                                    

 

Hallucinations do not eat (Luke 24:42-43; John 21:1-14), the disciples touched Jesus (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27),  they also spoke with him, and he spoke back. Figments of your imagination do not hold profound, extended conversations with you and your friends at the same time, unless you are by yourself and have the kind of mental disorder that isolates you to do so.  This "hallucination" conversed with at least eleven people at once, for forty days (Acts 1:3).  

 

Let’s be real. 

 

The hallucination theory just does not hold up.

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