Where is Your Theology of the Resurrection? (Protestant/Evangelical Devotional)

Reformation Theology ^ | John Hendryx

[Gamecock]

Recently I have been pondering the question: why in traditional theological circles is there such a lack of emphasis on the theology of the resurrection yet so much stress on Christ's death? Not to de-emphasize his atoning death but this oversight is especially curious in light of the fact that in the New Testament there appears to be a great importance placed on the resurrection, at least, it seems, equal in emphasis to Christ's death, but we don't talk about or theologize about it much ... why? I have to ask because the implications of Christ's resurrection is a critical part of Christ's redemptive work in and for us.

In light of the resurrection of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15 speaks of our present victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the work of Christ in his resurrection Paul is able to say in verse 58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." As we participate in his resurrection now and are seated with him at God's right hand, where He reigns over all his enemies, including the world, the flesh, the devil and death, then, in light of this, this should somehow translate to our living in the world now.

We rightly place a great deal of stress on Christ's death and atoning sacrifice but often seem to leave off the saving dimension of Christ's resurrection. The finished work of Christ includes both his death and resurrection in NT biblical theology, because we would still be in our sins if Christ has not been raised from the dead according to the same 1 Corinthians passage. In seminaries and theology books very little space seems to be devoted to this, to a degree we should find alarming. Any victory we have now is from the life which Christ gives our mortal bodies in His resurrection (Rom 8:11). In Rom. 6 Paul also states that we are baptized into Christ's resurrection, which is the power that saves us through regeneration. It is not only what gives us a new heart that we might be raised up from being spiritually dead and so believe the gospel, but grants us the power to live a new life, have spiritual affections for Christ and the grace to live a godly life because of the ethical change that has taken place within us. The disposition in us toward death has been crushed by Jesus' resurrection.

Since the "last days" were inaugurated with Christ's resurrection, we are living in the already/not yet time where Christ's victory over death is being worked out in and through us. There is no such thing, therefore, as Christian who lives in sin as a lifestyle. The resurrected Lord who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world. We may be deceived for a time, but the Spirit working in us compells us to cry ABBA Father and look to Christ in faith for the victory and mortification of any besetting sin. But we cannot do this as individuals since Christ has established his church as the agency for advancing his kingdom rule on earth (Eph 1:22). God calls us to do this through the weakness of preaching the gospel through which he will confound worldly powers and destroy all vain speculations.

It is important to note Paul use of the word "firstfruits" in 1 Cor 15. Without historical background this may not make sense, but what it points to is the Jewish feasts of Passover and Pentecost, each of which had the first fruits of the harvest given to the Lord. These firstfruits were a sign of the full harvest that would come soon after. Of course, more to the point, these festivals were in the Jewish calendar to remember Israel being freed from Egyptian slavery (Passover) and the giving of the Law at Sinai (Pentecost). Here in 1 Cor. 15 Paul is saying that the Christ is our Passover, the firstfruits of the resurrection from the dead ... with many more to follow. This is an act of God's grace alone, not something we work toward, yet that grace, that resurrection which we are untied to in Christ compels us to work, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. There is nothing natural about this. Christ has saved us completely with no contribution owing to ourselves. His kingdom now reigns in His people and He is extending it by redeeming people and the creation through us. Even now, according to the Scriptures, all powers are being subjected to Christ with death being the last enemy.

As we can see that this is no small matter which has profound theological and pastoral implications. There I would challenge and encourage the Reformed community to develop a more robust biblical theology of the resurrection.

[Mr Rogers]

“Maybe the author is attending the wrong churches.”

In the 45 years I’ve been a Christian, moving frequently and thus being a member of a lot of churches, I’ve never seen a church that emphasizes the death of Jesus and ignores the resurrection. Most lean the other way...happier to discuss the living Christ than to discuss what we did that required His death.

[Gamecock]

Great analogy!

Hope all is well!

[robroys woman]

That’s my story as well. But I’m not catholic, and it is sounding like this is one of the differences between Catholic and most Protestant congregations.

[MHGinTN]

The resurrection is GOD’s seal upon the faith that brings birth from above. Jesus spoke salvation with Nicodemus (john 3). The central point was being ‘born again’, born from above. If Jesus did not come out of that tomb then the whole teaching to Nicodemus is crushed. But He did come out of that tomb! In fact, He left the grave clothes without unraveling the wrappings! The stone was rolled away by the Angel, so the women could see He was not there, He had Risen ... and His glorified body is alive forever more, thus we too will be transformed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, to join Him and return to The Father’s House where there are many rooms prepared for us!

[robroys woman]

Hey, you’re preaching to the choir. :)

If Jesus was not resurrected, Christianity is a fraud.

[MHGinTN]

If I were preaching, it would be for the lurkers, not the choir. We already be there dontchaknow.

[Wm F Buckley Republican]

I understand that BUT one has to believe in something. How did this huge universe get here? That takes a huge amount of faith to believe it is an accident. The resurrection is not the only miracle that is difficult to believe. What about the virgin birth and the ascension? It all takes faith but look at the Bible as a history book (which it is) then visit Israel and read about archaeological finds, etc. that reinforces the accuracy of the Bible. I believe.

[MHGinTN]

Two things:

At my blogpage is an essay on the cosmology of this Created Universe from a biblical perspective, in simple terms http://www.porchmaunderings.blogspot.com

On my profile page is a sermon short regarding the resurrection.

Will try to answer any questions regarding either, but you might start with the blog page first.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

When I first became a Christian, I had to logically reconcile Christ’s resurrection. I felt like I had to not just believe it as something magical or ethereal ..... and praying on it I had my answer..... the people who knew Jesus, even his disciples were devistated when they watched Him die. They needed concrete real evidence that he rose from the dead and they didn’t fully believe it till they saw Him alive. There is no way that the followers of Jesus whould have continued to trust in Him, worship Him, and give their lives to witness for Him the way they did, had they not witnessed His resurrection first hand and knew without a shadow of a doubt that He lived. To me, that was proof enough. And like all of you have already said, without the resurrection to complete the picture, the gospel is just not complete. Happy Resurrection Day Freepers. He is risen, He is Risen indeed !!!!!