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In a trial, an alternate theory of the case must account for all the evidence presented.   So, if we assume that the evangelists were presenting what they believed to be true and were generally accurate as to the facts, to present an alternate theory it must be able to account for all those facts in a plausible manner.

So, what is that essential evidence which must be explained?  Scripture reveals 10 specific things about the crucifixion, resurrection, and post-resurrection experiences of the eyewitnesses which must be accounted for by any alternate theory of the resurrection.

• Jesus is scourged with a whip known as a "cat of nine tails"
• A crown of thorns is pressed down into his skull
• Jesus is nailed to a cross. Nails piece his feet and his wrists.
• Jesus' side is pierced by a soldier's spear and a mixture of fluid and blood pours out.
• Jesus is laid in a tomb.  A heavy stone seals the door.  A guard is placed at the door of the tomb.
• A group of women come to the tomb on Sunday morning to adorn the body.  They find the tomb open.  A man, whom they believe to be an angel is sitting on the stone.  He tells them that Jesus is not there and that they can look inside the tomb and verify it for themselves.
• A man speaks to Mary whom she mistakes for a gardener, but he reveals himself as Jesus and tells her to tell all of his disciples about what has happened.
• Over the intervening 40 days Jesus is seen by as many as 500 people at one time.
• He is seen ascending to heaven
• After this event, the disciples began to preach that Jesus has the power to forgive sin, that he is the messiah, and that the church grows rapidly, beginning in Jerusalem.

These are the essentials which need to be explained by an alternative theory.  Obviously, some will say, "Sure all that is reported, but while I agree the accounts are generally accurate I don't accept some of those events."  However, the obvious question is which ones will you not accept and on what basis do you not accept it.  Do you have reason to believe that the evangelist is lying or mistaken or misinformed?  What evidence do you have that a particular event did not occur?  If you have none, then you are rejecting it simply because you feel uncomfortable with the implications of that piece of evidence.  I understand that.   However, you cannot reject a piece of evidence simply because it does not fit your theory.

There are four basic alternate theories:

The "Swoon" Theory -- Jesus didn't die on the cross  he just looked dead and then woke up in the tomb.

The Wrong Tomb Theory -- The women just went to the wrong tomb.

The Holy Deception Theory -- That the disciples stole the body and pretended that Jesus rose from the dead.

The Hallucination Theory -- Everyone just imagined these events

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