The Crucifixion of Jesus: Forensic Investigation - Revised & Expanded Edition | Biblical History Study, Christian Faith Research, Easter Reflection

Zugibe disagrees on a significant number of points with ALL the other physicians who have written about the crucifixion of Jesus. ALL the others who have written basically say that Jesus died from a combination of congestive heart failure and exhaustion leading to suffocation. Historical records indicate that *some* crucifixion victims were provided a seat to sit on. The more recent physicians (i.e., over about the past 30 years) say that people who were not provided the seat constantly shifted from a Y (hanging with weight on hands) to a T position (standing) in order to breathe.Unlike ALL the others, IN ADDITION TO being an M.D. and a forensic pathologist, Zugibe ALSO has an M.S. and PhD in HUMAN ANATOMY. He also has CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE TESTS with volunteers hooked up to medical equipment. He ALSO has a STRONG background specifically in Cardiology.He says straight out (with EXTENSIVE descriptions and diagrams) that ALL the others got it wrong. Their explanations don't fit the actual anatomy. (When you see the hand and wrist diagrams you'll understand why it wouldn't be hard for even a physician or surgeon who doesn't specialize in that specific part to make some mistakes.)Also, the SPECULATIONS of the others about what they ASSUME happens don't match what he OBSERVED happens. He says there is no historical evidence whatsoever for the "footrest" often shown in crucifixion drawings and movies. It seems the victim's feet were placed FLAT against the vertical beam and then nailed. It would have been EXTREMELY difficult to place one foot on top of the other and use one nail through both. Most likely in at least the vast majority of cases each foot was separately nailed.With their feet (tied ) flat against the cross, NO ONE was able to push up. The angles are simply wrong. Also, much to everyone's surprise, although folks suspended from a cross WITH THEIR FEET TIED TO IT found it difficult to breathe THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE FIRST SUSPENSION, it turned out that was just nerves. Within a few minutes they could breathe normally without difficulty even for extended periods.Regarding the "breathing difficulties" other physicians discuss, It turns out that ALL the other physicians were relying on earlier writings of other physicians. One of the earliest described seeing two people who had been executed by being suspended by their wrists WITHOUT having their feet mounted to anything. The other physicians didn't realize that feet mounted versus not mounted would make a huge effect.He also points out that the kinds of coronary failure other physicians claim could not happen so quickly -- they simply could not cause such failure within the 6 hours that Jesus was on the cross, and even adding in the time when he was beaten and flogged, it still wouldn't have been anywhere near long enough.The one thing I didn't like about this book is the EXTREME amount of detail. After awhile, it DOES get boring. But the whole purpose of the book is to provide detailed information about why the others are wrong, why he is correct, and specifically what happened. Although the book will primarily have a lay audience, there will be physicians, nurses, and others with the necessary training to fully understand and appreciate the information, and he wouldn't be able to sell a book aimed specifically at that audience because there simply wouldn't be enough purchasers for any publisher to spend the money publishing it.