Hope in the Resurrection: A Christian Perspective

 

Summary

The study of eschatology, particularly the resurrection, is a profound exploration of Christian hope and belief. The term 'resurrection' itself, derived from the Greek meaning 'to rise again,' is significant because it emphasizes the physical aspect of resurrection, not just the continuation of the soul after death. This belief is rooted in the early church's affirmation, as seen in the Apostles' Creed, which professes faith in the resurrection of the body. This is not merely about Christ's resurrection but extends to the bodily resurrection of all believers.

Paul's writings, especially in Romans and 1 Corinthians, provide a deep theological foundation for understanding resurrection. In Romans, Paul speaks of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead as the same Spirit that will give life to our mortal bodies. This indicates a future physical resurrection, not just a spiritual renewal. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses skepticism about resurrection by using logical argumentation to demonstrate its centrality to Christian faith. He argues that without resurrection, the Christian faith is void, and believers are still in their sins.

Paul also uses nature as an analogy to explain the transformation that occurs in resurrection. Just as a seed must die to bring forth new life, our bodies, sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption. This transformation results in a glorified body, similar yet distinct from our earthly bodies. The resurrected body will be free from corruption and death, sustained by God's preserving grace.

The resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits, a promise of what is to come for all believers. As we have borne the image of Adam, the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man, Christ. This hope of resurrection assures us that we will be like Him, sharing in His glory.

Key Takeaways:

- The resurrection is not merely about the soul's continuation after death but involves the physical rising of the body, emphasizing the holistic nature of salvation. This belief is rooted in early Christian creeds and is central to the faith. [00:31]

- Paul's writings affirm that the same Spirit that raised Jesus will also raise our mortal bodies, indicating a future physical resurrection. This is not just a spiritual renewal but a promise of bodily transformation. [02:24]

- The resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits, a guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. This event is not isolated but is the beginning of a new creation where believers will share in Christ's glory. [04:14]

- The analogy of the seed illustrates the transformation in resurrection. Our bodies, sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption, highlighting the continuity and discontinuity between our earthly and resurrected bodies. [16:35]

- The hope of resurrection is that we will bear the image of the heavenly man, Christ. This transformation assures us of a future where we will be like Him, free from corruption and death, sustained by God's grace. [22:49]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Understanding Resurrection
[01:10] - Resurrection of the Body
[01:47] - Scriptural Foundations
[02:24] - Spirit and Resurrection
[03:34] - Adam and Christ
[04:14] - Firstfruits of Resurrection
[05:28] - Transformation of the Body
[07:00] - Continuity and Discontinuity
[07:52] - Paul's Defense in 1 Corinthians 15
[09:15] - Logical Argumentation
[11:22] - Centrality of Resurrection
[13:35] - Implications for Believers
[14:37] - Nature's Analogy
[16:35] - Seed and Transformation
[22:49] - Bearing the Heavenly Image

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Hope of Resurrection

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:9-11
2. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 35-49

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 8:11, what role does the Spirit play in the resurrection of our mortal bodies? How does this relate to the resurrection of Jesus? [02:24]

2. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul uses the analogy of a seed to explain the resurrection. What does he mean by this analogy, and how does it illustrate the transformation of our bodies? [16:35]

3. How does Paul address skepticism about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, and what logical argument does he use to defend its centrality to the Christian faith? [09:15]

4. What is the significance of Christ being referred to as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep, according to 1 Corinthians 15:20-23? [04:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise of a future physical resurrection, as described in Romans 8:11, impact the way believers view their current physical bodies and lives? [02:24]

2. In what ways does the analogy of the seed in 1 Corinthians 15 help believers understand the continuity and discontinuity between their earthly and resurrected bodies? [16:35]

3. Why is the resurrection considered central to the Christian faith, according to Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15? How does this challenge modern theological perspectives that downplay the supernatural aspects of Christianity? [09:59]

4. How does the concept of bearing the image of the heavenly man, Christ, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:49, shape a believer's understanding of their identity and future hope? [22:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on Romans 8:11. How does the assurance of the Spirit's role in your future resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? Are there specific areas where this hope can bring transformation? [02:24]

2. Consider the analogy of the seed in 1 Corinthians 15. In what ways can you embrace the process of transformation in your spiritual life, even if it involves "dying" to certain aspects of your current self? [16:35]

3. Paul's defense of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 highlights its importance to the faith. How can you better articulate the significance of the resurrection to those who may be skeptical or have questions about it? [09:15]

4. The idea of Christ as the "firstfruits" offers a promise of what is to come. How does this promise affect your perspective on trials and suffering in this life? How can it provide comfort and hope? [04:14]

5. Bearing the image of the heavenly man, Christ, is a future hope for believers. How can you begin to reflect this image in your current life? Are there specific actions or attitudes you need to cultivate or change? [22:49]

6. How does the understanding of a glorified, incorruptible body in the resurrection influence your view of physical health and well-being now? Are there practical steps you can take to honor God with your body? [19:20]

7. In light of the resurrection's centrality to the Christian faith, how can you engage in conversations with others about the hope and assurance it provides? Are there specific people in your life who need to hear this message? [09:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holistic Nature of Resurrection
The resurrection is not merely about the soul's continuation after death but involves the physical rising of the body, emphasizing the holistic nature of salvation. This belief is rooted in early Christian creeds and is central to the faith. The Apostles' Creed, an ancient statement of Christian belief, affirms the resurrection of the body, highlighting the importance of physical resurrection in Christian doctrine. This belief underscores the idea that salvation is not just spiritual but encompasses the whole person, body and soul. The resurrection promises a future where believers will experience a complete transformation, reflecting the holistic nature of God's redemptive plan. [00:31]

"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: How does the belief in the physical resurrection of the body influence your understanding of salvation and your daily life?


Day 2: The Spirit's Role in Resurrection
Paul's writings affirm that the same Spirit that raised Jesus will also raise our mortal bodies, indicating a future physical resurrection. This is not just a spiritual renewal but a promise of bodily transformation. In Romans, Paul emphasizes that the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies, assuring believers of a future resurrection. This promise is not limited to spiritual renewal but extends to the physical transformation of our bodies, highlighting the Spirit's vital role in the resurrection process. The assurance of bodily resurrection provides hope and encouragement for believers, reminding them of the Spirit's power and presence in their lives. [02:24]

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life today, knowing that the same Spirit will one day raise your body to new life?


Day 3: Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits, a guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. This event is not isolated but is the beginning of a new creation where believers will share in Christ's glory. The concept of firstfruits in the Bible signifies the first portion of a harvest, offered to God as a sign of gratitude and trust in His provision. Christ's resurrection as the firstfruits assures believers of their future resurrection, serving as a promise of what is to come. This assurance provides hope and confidence, knowing that believers will one day share in Christ's glory and be part of the new creation. [04:14]

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits of your own future resurrection impact your perspective on life and death?


Day 4: Transformation Through Resurrection
The analogy of the seed illustrates the transformation in resurrection. Our bodies, sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption, highlighting the continuity and discontinuity between our earthly and resurrected bodies. Paul uses the imagery of a seed to explain the transformation that occurs in resurrection. Just as a seed must die to bring forth new life, our bodies, sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption. This transformation results in a glorified body, similar yet distinct from our earthly bodies. The resurrected body will be free from corruption and death, sustained by God's preserving grace. [16:35]

"So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable." (1 Corinthians 15:42, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life need to be "sown" or surrendered to God, trusting Him for transformation and new life?


Day 5: Bearing the Image of the Heavenly Man
The hope of resurrection is that we will bear the image of the heavenly man, Christ. This transformation assures us of a future where we will be like Him, free from corruption and death, sustained by God's grace. As believers, we have borne the image of Adam, the man of dust, but through resurrection, we will bear the image of Christ, the heavenly man. This transformation is a promise of a future where believers will be like Christ, sharing in His glory and free from the limitations of earthly existence. The hope of bearing Christ's image provides encouragement and motivation to live a life that reflects His character and love. [22:49]

"Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven." (1 Corinthians 15:49, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you strive to reflect the image of Christ in your daily interactions and relationships today?

Quotes


As I mentioned in our last lecture on the intermediate state, it has been the affirmation of the church from the first century, through the Apostles' Creed to say that among other things we affirm, we believe in the resurrection of the body -- 'resurrectionis carnis' is the Latin phrase there -- and that is not simply an affirmation of the physical or bodily resurrection of Christ, but it is an affirmation of the bodily resurrection of His people. [00:01:22]

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Now there's a little ambiguity here in this text, and some have looked at this text and say that all that the New Testament is teaching with respect to resurrection is the renewal or regeneration of our inner man, of our transformation from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, of being raised from spiritual death to spiritual life. [00:02:38]

As death came into the world through the first Adam, so then the triumph over death comes about as a result of the fruit of the ministry of the second Adam, and again, Paul sees this as the direct consequences of the reality of Christ's own resurrection from the dead -- namely that Christ's resurrection from the dead -- His physical resurrection from the dead -- is not viewed by the New Testament as an isolated event in the New Testament but as an event that is the first of many that are to come. [00:03:49]

The resurrection of which Christ experienced in His own body was more than simply a coming back to life, but there was involved in this process a significant transformation of the body that was placed in the tomb. Now, that also causes a host of controversy and speculation, but the two things that we have to remember with respect to Jesus' resurrection is that 1) there is continuity between the body that was laid to rest in the tomb and the body that came forth out of the tomb, so that we can say it was the same body that was buried that was also raised from the dead. [00:05:35]

He's addressing those who are skeptical about resurrection in general, who are saying there is no resurrection from the dead; and Paul argues with them in a classic method of argumentation that was perfected among the Greek philosophers, which was called 'ad hominem' argumentation -- not the fallacious ad hominem abusive approach where you attack the opponent rather than the opponent's argument, but the method made popular by Zeno of antiquity in the so-called reductio ad absurdum mode where you take the premise of your opponent and take that premise to its logically necessary conclusion and show that if they are consistent with their premises that logic demands that they come to a conclusion that is absolutely absurd. [00:08:15]

He's trying to demonstrate that the concept of resurrection is absolutely central and essential to the whole of the apostolic faith, and I say that for a reason, parenthetically. We live in a time where a host of theologians have come to the conclusion that we can have a vibrant Christianity without all this supernatural business that attends it, such as death and resurrection of Christ, and so on. Rudolf Bultmann, for example, who remarkably gives one of the most precise and insightful exegesis of 1 Corinthians 15 that I've ever seen -- I mean it's impeccable in its grammatical treatment, and he sets forth clearly what the Apostle says; and then when he's finished with his analysis, he says, "This is what Paul teaches here, but of course Paul's wrong." [00:10:13]

But then again, our main concern today is not so much with Christ's resurrection but what are the implications of His resurrection for ours, and Paul again says that because Christ has been raised and given a glorified body, He is raised as the firstborn, or the firstfruits here -- the firstborn of many brothers -- and what God has done for Him He promises to do for all who are Christ's. And so it is in 1 Corinthians 15 that Paul then gives his most expansive treatment of this concept of our resurrection. [00:13:30]

In other words, what are our resurrected bodies going to look like? I'm sure you've thought about that. What will the saints in heaven, in the final resurrection, appear to be? Will I be overweight? Will I be old? Will I be bald? Will I be what I looked like at the age I died? What about infants that die in infancy and go to heaven? Will they look like babies forever? What are they going to look like? What kind of bodies will they have? Well, listen to how Paul answers this question. [00:14:37]

He applies to nature for an analogy, and it's interesting because it's the same argument that Plato makes in his dialogue, putting it in the lips and the mouth of Socrates for life after death, where Plato argued the analogy of the seed -- that just as in the natural world when if you want to grow flowers or vegetables you have to plant the seed. And before the seed can bring forth its life, it has to undergo a certain decay and corruption. It has to rot, and as it were, die before it can bring forth the living fruit. [00:15:45]

This body that goes to the grave is like the seed. We have to die, but when this body dies and is changed and transformed, there will be continuity, just as there is continuity between the seed and the flower, but there will also be significant discontinuity between the seed of our bodies and the final body that we will have in heaven. Now, all I can tell you about that final body in heaven is that it will be human. It will be in some kind of human form. It will be recognizable. [00:17:01]

But the basic difference is that the new body will not be capable of corruption or of dying. Now, here we have to be careful because Paul is going to say here in a minute that we are sown mortal bodies; we are raised immortal. Careful -- that we will be immortal in heaven is not because we will be inherently or intrinsically immortal. That's a Greek concept that is applied to the soul -- that souls are eternal. They're incapable of destruction. Nothing can make them fall apart; where we believe that the soul is created. [00:19:01]

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man. That's the hope of the Christian of the final resurrection -- that we will be like Him, for He will grant to us the same glory of resurrection that He received in His own body. [00:22:50]

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Transcript
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