Parapsychology, Hallucinations, Collective Delusions, and Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances: A Response to Glenn Siniscalchi
Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus October 18, 2023 DOI: 10.1163/17455197-bja10024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that some differences Siniscalchi draws between 'post-mortem apparitions' and Jesus's post-resurrection appearances are banal and overstated, and proposes that coupling hallucinations with collective delusions could explain both individual and collective appearances, serving as a viable alternative to the traditional evangelical view. |
Abstract
After a brief outline of Glenn Siniscalchi’s apology for the traditional approach to the post-resurrection appearances, I examine his particular view that any attempt to compare the appearances of Jesus with the various apparitions discussed by parapsychologists is doomed to failure. Siniscalchi states, correctly, that the only category of apparitions worthy of consideration at all is the ‘post-mortem apparition’. However, some of the suggested differences between these and the appearances of Jesus seem somewhat banal, and are not as significant as they are made out to be. My suggestion is that some form of hypothesis coupling hallucinations with collective delusions would explain both individual and collective post-resurrection appearances, and serve as a viable alternative to the traditional evangelical view.