i was pingged to this thread several times, but have yet to comment as far as i am aware.
i am also a bit confused by the discourse between the two of you:
MONKFAN: Are you seriously asserting that there was no resurrection of the dead ~the reuniting of the immaterial nature of man with the physical body~ BEFORE Christ's ressurection?
If so you are incorrect. Lazarus immediately comes to mind, as does the young girl that Jesus resurrected. That's just New testament. There are also Old Testament examples of dead people being resurrected.
BLOGGER: Are you talking about Physical resurrection or the disposition of the non-corporeal nature of man (soul/spirit)?
CDL returns to lurk mode.
By the way, I didn't mean to imply that there was NO resurrection prior to Christ's resurrection. Lazarus was raised. Many came out of their graves when Jesus resurrected. Jairus' daughter was raised. However, with very very very few exceptions most who have passed away who were Christians are now with Christ Jesus but have not received glorified bodies as of yet. In the moment, in the twinkling of the eye, they will be changed. The mortal will put on immortality. They exist today in a recognizable state. But in the future they will receive something akin to Christ's resurrected body (walking through walls even, apparently but yet physical enough to be able to eat).
If so you are incorrect. Lazarus immediately comes to mind, as does the young girl that Jesus resurrected. That's just New testament. There are also Old Testament examples of dead people being resurrected.
I'll take your point. However, I don't think that's a fair comparison given that, unlike our resurrected Lord, Lazarus was raised into the same fallen body and eventually reposed. But thank you for that observation.
What I've been trying to understand is whether or not Blogger believes that the dead are all still dead, despite Christ's work on the cross. Orthodox Christianity teaches that death was annihilated by Christ when he descended into Hades.
As Kolokotronis posted earlier, quoting St. John Chrysostomos:
"Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep."
Do Protestants teach something else?