The Resurrection Story We Never Propose: Was Jesus’ Body Stolen?

The Hidden Truth Behind Jesus' Disappearance: Was His Body Stolen? 

5 to 7 min read 

When Truth is Shrouded in Legend and Theology We Have to Hypothesize

We Should Always Ask Questions

What is more plausible: an executed religious leader who fronted a growing movement who was abruptly raised from the dead? Or his group of followers continuing the movement by promoting the narrative? 

This topic resonates with me because of the dissonance I've seen from certain entrenched family members, and the fact that I go obsessed with religion especially after I've had experienced something mystical or symptomatic. People throw all common sense out of the window just to believe biblical narrative or fixate on it, when the true history could be somewhat different.

Progression When The Dogma Bites

Thick books with stained glass windows on the covers, exist, sitting on the bookshelves of gray haired men discussing such pointless topics. Issues that can never be resolved such as 'The Empty Tomb: Was Jesus Resurrected?' might shed some light on the . . .uh, no! How can we reach that conclussion? We have no proof there was a tomb! 

What World View Do You Build on? 

However, the impossibility of it is never enough to break these paranormal beliefs. It is still taught is universities as an academic and scholarly discipline. Many advise STEM subjects, maybe leaning on the laws of nature, likely historical practices and medical science, but we all have our flat earthers don't we? 

Types of Conversation I've Had:

'No this is nonesense! It says in all four of the gospels that Jesus rose from the dead!' 

'Of course it does, early Christians compiled these stories didn't they?' 

'Those disciples went from being afraid into hiding. Why would they suddenly proclaim the resurrection? No, no sorry, it's unlikely these followers would risked life from limb like they did for anything other than the truth!' 

'Or their version of the truth! Of course they promoted their movement, listen, in reality, people charged with committing sedition against Rome would have been left on the cross as an example! His followers might of had good motive to retrieve the body but Governor Pontius Pilot may have had more reason to leave it on display,' 

'Yeah but still, the fact remains, why risk death for something you know to be untrue?' 

'Asking the same question again won't give you the answer you want. The movement was only important if the teacher was resurrected somehow. The Critical Scholar, Crossan, has said a few times that resurrection stories were common in those years. Followers had the means, motive and opportunity to swipe. We can't fairly deny the remains were possibly left on display,' 

'The followers knew he was Gods son!' 

'That epithet came well after his death, so no, sorry.' 

'Oh for goodness sake, look. . . there was a Roman guarding the bloody tomb, and we know the tomb was sodding empty! Witnesses existed!' 

'Is that a bible source again? Think, why would a Roman guard an empty tomb? Nevermind!' 

A Little Backstory: 

Another Galilean miracle worker sprang up to impress crowds like they had seen before. Galileans miracle men like Honi grew a reputation. Snippets of this one's theo-political teachings emerged as well as his annointed status and it spread. Don't forget, he was annointed by an important man the Baptist. Jesus came to be like a prophet, mysterious and charming. With his apostles, they want to see change to the oppressive religion of the land, promoting his own understanding of a kingdom of heaven, or a more vituous faith. 

Before the established religion clashed with Jesuses hellenic-Jewish ideology, there would have been something like debates across the land, teaching and sermons, until he was captured. He was seen as another miracle worker of Galilee leading the Jews astray of the true faith. Scriptures of various sources detail that Jesus undergoes horrible punishments, with differing ideas on execution. Either way, here we are saying he was crucified and the entirety of his prophecies are over. Killed. Disbelief, shock... 

...I'm just saying, his closest circle could have swiped the body, continued the myth, grew the faith, established a footing and becoming the prime faith on earth. 

My Conclusion: Questions are the Answers

This does challenge the heart of Christianity, but so what? Things have to be challenged, it's how we uncover the truth. Indeed, we can say Jesus was resurrected as a concept, and idea, religious or spiritual ethos of their collective which evolved into the church. But, it must be said, his remains didn't get up and walk off! This is not walking dead. Don't you agree? 

Its more plausible that the body was stolen resurrected. The movement was crushed and the crucifixion was a major blow, the body had to go. They had means, motive and access. Christian sources are biased toward the christian narrative.