Resurrection

Before we jump into the text and explain what we mean when we confess that “on the third day he rose again”, it is important to make explicit the required conversation partners.  First, we have N.T. Wright who makes a case for the historical investigation of the Resurrection of the Son of God.  Second, the Nazarene New Testament champion, Andy Johnson, is the professor that will be grading the test.  I think that it will be helpful for my grade if I interact with both of these teachers.  Finally, the NRSV will be the main text unless other wise noted for this project.

Now, in dealing with the text, I think that it would be good to handle them in the same order that our conversation partners have handled them which is Paul first and then Gospels second.  Now the order we deal with the particular text in those two categories does not seem to matter as both Johnson and Wright take two different approaches.  I am going to choose to go big to little in hopes of getting the big picture first and then look at the details.  It is also helpful as an instructional method to give the controlling narrative first and then focus on the various parts of the narrative second.  Therefore we will take them in this order:

Paul:

1 Corinthians 15

2 Corinthians 4 – 5:10

Philippians 1:18-26; 3:18-21

1 Thess 4:13-18

Gospels:

Mark 16

Matt 28

Luke 24

John 20

Please let me know if you see any flaw in this proposed method and plan of action.

To meet the requirements for part one of the “question”, I need to provide a detailed explanation of what “Christians ought to mean” when they confess “On the third day he rose again.”  In order to accomplish this, I need to provide a summary interpretation of the primary resurrection texts in the New Testament.

To begin to accomplish the summary interpretation of the primary resurrection texts in the New Testament, I think that it would be helpful to make them explicit.  If you find any missing in my list then please add them in.

Matt 28

Mark 16

Luke 24

John 20

1 Corinthians 15

2 Corinthians 4 – 5:10

Philippians 1:18-26; 3:18-21

1 Thess 4:13-18

Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Just thought that it would be fun to do my take home final exam for Resurrection in the New Testament here.  So if you have thoughts or concerns as I begin to write it then feel free to comment.

To begin, here is the “question”:

Question

You are a part of a new church plant (as the pastor, a teacher of a small group, a Sunday School teacher, etc., take your pick). The new church has made it a policy that anyone who joins the church must go through an introductory/refresher course on the basics of the Christian faith, whether they are brand new Christians or Christians transferring in from other places.

You have chosen to conduct your class by carefully going through the Nicene Creed and giving detailed explanations of each line primarily on the basis of your interpretation of scripture. Throughout, you have been attempting to articulate how each line relates to a select number of others in the creed in order to convey the coherence of basic Christian beliefs. You have also been attempting to articulate for them what practical impact confessing each line should have for their individual life and their life together as the body of Christ. You have now arrived at the line: “On the third day he rose again.”

Taking into account the nature of your audience, your tasks are:

(1) to write a detailed explanation of what you would tell them Christians ought to mean when they make this confession. In this explanation make sure you provide them with at least a summary interpretation of the primary resurrection texts in the NT. (You do not have to interpret them using the same method or arriving at the same conclusions as I did. But you do have to make arguments for your interpretation either way. This should be the longest section of the paper.)

(2) to articulate how this line as you have explained it relates to a select number of others in the creed (one of which in the latter part of the creed should be obvious) in order to convey the coherence of basic Christian beliefs.

(3) to articulate how one’s understanding of human nature is related to, and impacts, what you have said up to this point.

(4) to articulate for them what practical impact confessing this line as you have explained it should have for their life together as the body of Christ.