1B: Jesus' Resurrection

Question 1

1 Corinthians 15

Answer 1

• transformation of death
• Paul accepts resurrection as fact – because Jesus has been raised, so will we
• Jesus appeared to 500 brothers + sisters, apostles, James + Paul on the road to Damascus
• the ‘raised’ body will be different/changed – it is imperishable + immortal

Question 2

Quote from 1 Corinthians 15

Answer 2

“Jesus died for our sins and was buried and raised on the third day”

Question 3

John 20 - 21 (5 sections = chiasm)

Answer 3

1. Empty tomb – discovered by Mary M, Peter + beloved disciple.
2. When Jesus appeared to Mary M there were angles – she does not recognise him.
3. Jesus appears to disciples in locked room – shows them Holy Spirit + power to forgive sins.
4. Thomas wanted proof – Jesus shows him his wounds.
5. Disciples are fishing – don’t recognise him until he tells them to go out again and catch lots of fish.

Question 4

Quote from John 20 - 21

Answer 4

“blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed”

Question 5

Philippians 1: 21- 24

Answer 5

• because Jesus was raised, Christians will also be raised

Question 6

Quote from Philippians 1: 21- 24

Answer 6

“death means being united with Christ”

Question 7

What view does Bultmann represent?

Answer 7

Sceptical

Question 8

What does Bultmann argue?

Answer 8

• argues we can’t expect modern Christians to accept the resurrection as historical fact as there is no empirical evidence
• believe in the resurrection is unnecessary to Christian faith + they should see Jesus as alive through their faith on him and his teachings
• the resurrection is a spiritual event + takes place within individuals
• argues that we should ‘demythologise’ the resurrection narratives

Question 9

What is Bultmann’s Christology?

Answer 9

His Christology denies; the virgin birth, Jesus’ miracles and historicity of the resurrection.

Question 10

What view does Wright represent?

Answer 10

Believers

Question 11

What does Wright argue?

Answer 11

• argues that the accounts of the empty tomb + appearances of risen Jesus point towards the historical reality of the resurrection (the bodily resurrection)
• early Christian belief was in bodily resurrections which will involve the gift of a new body
• there had been other Messiahs – Jesus was different as he rose from the dead

Question 12

What did Greeks believe about resurrection?

Answer 12

There was no evidence in Greek philosophy of bodily resurrection.

Question 13

What did Jews believe about the resurrection?

Answer 13

Jewish belief in resurrection is vague and confused.

Question 14

What is Wright’s Christology?

Answer 14

• he concluded that arguments against the resurrection are false
• Jesus didn’t survive crucifixion – Romans knew how to kill
• finding an empty tomb would lead to disciples assuming body had been stolen – not that Jesus had risen
• people have visions but don’t believe the body has been raised
• it can only be that the tomb was empty, disciples met someone who they were convinced was Jesus and this led them to believe he had risen

Question 15

Implications: Death

Answer 15

In St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he discusses whether resurrection is possible - “if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.

Question 16

Implications: The Soul

Answer 16

St Paul says “what is sown is perishable” which suggests that what has been initiated on earth can die, but the soul is eternal.

Question 17

Implications: The Resurrected Body

Answer 17

St Paul writes of a ‘spiritual body’ which contradicts a physical resurrection.

Question 18

Implications: The After Life

Answer 18

St Paul refers to an afterlife and suggests that a different type of body is required for it.