How to Study Resurrection in the Bible

[mikew]

Here's a challenge and sort of a guideline on study of Resurrection in scriptures. This is somewhat how I looked into the topic and after doing a study it seemed that the topic of Resurrection hasn't been well examined among Christians.

Note that the following list doesn't really include the temporary resurrections like was done for Lazarus.

1. Find in scripture how the idea of resurrection first began to be known and expected.
2. Locate verses in the Old Testament where the resurrection of Jesus was indicated.
3. Include the study of Jesus' resurrection along with Resurrection of other people. I think one problem is that the study of Jesus' resurrection is usually done in isolation from the general topic.
4. Look at passages such as Dan 12:2 & 13,Matt 22:23-32, John 5:24-29 ; John 11:24-26, 1 Cor 15 and Rev 20. There should be other good verses.

Do all the passages create a single concept of resurrection or are there differences among the passages that may indicate different types of resurrection? I think also that the concept of resurrection has to be considered in light of possibly related topics such as eternal life and the born again experience. Some of my recent posts show passages where Daniel possibly described different resurrections and where Jesus described different resurrections.

There's more to the topic of Resurrection that has widely been understood. Its interesting that this topic hasn't been more fully explored in the Bible studies I've been involved in. Or is the topic of Resurrection widely neglected in Church groups?

[RickC]

Hello Mike,

I just wanted to say, "Good post."

And, yes, Christians aren't taught much about resurrection. Probably a majority think heaven is our final destination...and that there's not much else to think or know about it....

As we've seen on this relatively new forum, and as you say, there's a lot involved in studying and understanding resurrection, and eschatology in general for that matter. Eschatology-in-general "splices into" virtually everything {else} we believe specifically.
Take care, Brother Mike,

[Michelle]

Eschatology-in-general "splices into" virtually everything {else} we believe specifically.

Hi Rick,
This is an intriguing sentence. If you have some time, would you explain it a little further?
Thanks,
Michelle

[RickC]

Hi Michelle,

Eschatology-in-general "splices into" virtually everything {else} we believe specifically.

Hi Rick,
This is an intriguing sentence. If you have some time, would you explain it a little further?

"Splices into" was from my Navy days. Sailors splice ropes {cut them to length} in order to attach them to another. For instance, a rope isn't long enough. So you cut a length of rope and tie it to the other for the length needed.

No matter what Bible or theology topic one is looking into; I've found that, sooner or later, one will see it's attached to eschatology. For example, Christology. One can't study Jesus' person without seeing his significance in terms of the time he came to earth. Anthropology & Hamartiology, "when sin came into the world" {the Garden, ff.}, etc.

To use another analogy: If the Bible and what it teaches {doctrinally} was a quilt; eschatology is like the "thread" that ties each section of the quilt together. It's always present and "ties in somehow."

I hope that helps, Thanks, Michelle,

[MoGrace2u]

Hi Rick,
Eschatology even defines the creeds I have noticed, so orthodoxy became established upon what we consider our hope in Christ for the future. In fact it defines our hope, and perhaps explains why Christendom seems so weak.

The more I investigate the Hebrew Roots movement, I discover that they don't think Christ has accomplished much for us at all in the cross. I hear a lot of doublespeak from that camp. And from the Evangelicals as well who are moving in that direction.

The apostle Paul focused upon our hope in the resurrection as being the gospel he was given to preach about the kingdom - which his trial brought out. It is what he also spoke to the Athenians about on Mars Hill. Yet many today look upon that hope as not being secured for us by Christ's first coming - IOW, we don't "yet" have the promise Abraham was given. Which is how they put the 2nd coming far off into the future and our hope as well.

I don't know about anyone else, but the scripture says to me that when I die I go immediately into the presence of the Lord, passing thru right then and there from death into eternal life, where I will receive my spiritual body. That to me is why He indwells me by His Spirit, so that I can know He will never leave nor forsake me. This was not the hope of the OT saint however. His hope was that he would wait in death for a period of time until Messiah arrived, then he would be raised up to stand in the judgment.

It really is about hope that defines our faith in Christ...

Robin

[Paidion]

My hope, like Paul's, is in the resurrection.

Paul said, "If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." I Cor 15:32.

But you say that you don't really die. Rather you "go immediately into the presence of the Lord, passing thru right then and there from death into eternal life, where [you] will receive [your] spiritual body." If that is the case, why have a resurrection at all? Why not be happy to have your "spiritual body" throughout eternity?

No. The Scripture teaches that when you're dead, you're dead ---- and if it weren't for the resurrection, you'd stay dead.

The resurrection is the great hope of Christ's disciples.