02.08. Theology of the Resurrection:

8. Theology of the Resurrection: The theology of the resurrection is very important and calls for special attention. Indeed, the prominence given to it in the New Testament affords a strong confirmation of the fact itself, for it seems incredible that such varied and important truths should not rest on historic fact. The doctrine may briefly be summarized:

(1) evidential: the resurrection is the proof of the atoning character of the death of Christ, and of His Deity and divine exaltation (Romans 1:4)

2) evangelistic: the primitive gospel included testimony to the resurrection as one of its characteristic features, thereby proving to the hearers the assurance of the divine redemption (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25);

(3) spiritual: the resurrection is regarded as the source and standard of the holiness of the believer. Every aspect of the Christian life from the beginning to the end is somehow associated therewith (Romans 6:1-23); (4) eschatological: the resurrection is the guaranty and model of the believer’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). As the bodies of the saints arose (Matthew 27:52), so ours are to be quickened (Romans 8:11), and made like Christ’s glorified body (Php 3:21), thereby becoming spiritual bodies (1 Corinthians 15:44), that is, bodies ruled by their spirits and yet bodies.

These points offer only the barest outline of the fullness of New Testament teaching concerning the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ.

LITERATURE.

James Orr, The Resurrection of Jesus 1908;

W. J. Sparrow Simpson, The Resurrection and Modern Thought;

Westcott, The Historic Faith and The Gospel of the Resurrection.

Very full literary references in Bowen, The Resurrection in the New Testament 1911, which, although negative in its own conclusions, contains a valuable refutation of many negative arguments.

* W. H. Griffith Thomas, "Resurrection of Jesus Christ", International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Edited by James Orr (1913).