Assessing the Resurrection Hypothesis: Problems with Craig's Inference to the Best Explanation

European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 11 (2):205-228 (2019)
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Abstract

The hypothesis that God supernaturally raised Jesus from the dead is argued by William Lane Craig to be the best explanation for the empty tomb and postmortem appearances of Jesus because it satisfies seven criteria of adequacy better than rival naturalistic hypotheses. We identify problems with Craig’s criteria-based approach and show, most significantly, that the Resurrection hypothesis fails to fulfill any but the first of his criteria—especially explanatory scope and plausibility.

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Author's Profile

Carlos A. Colombetti
University of California, Irvine