In this blog (see the posts of 08-24-2014 and 08-31-2015) and in my book, we have noted the curiosity that while Christ’s resurrection is one of the most celebrated Christian events, it is hardly mentioned in our theology. Why? Several other Christians have recognized this and one is H. A. Williams. He states that if the concept of the resurrection is just an historical event as in Christ’s resurrection or if it is just a future event as when we will be raised from the dead, then the idea of the resurrection is merely theoretical and therefore meaningless to us. In other words, it has no impact on our current lives. [1]
Williams asserts that the resurrection should have an impact on our lives because only if we experience resurrection in the present can we expect to experience it in the future. [2] Additionally, the Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 that Jesus’ resurrection (which is described in the perfect tense) is a past event with present consequences which is the new life God wants us to live. The only way we will experience true resurrection after we die will be if we experience true resurrection while we are alive. We must become a new creation if we expect to experience the presence of God when we die. Why is that not part of our doctrine of salvation?
Also in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the past tense is used to describe Jesus’ death for our sins. There is nothing more we need to do about our sins; Jesus paid the penalty and that is final. It is so strange that in our doctrine we Christians focus on what happened in the past, on what is already been accomplished, while ignoring what God has planned for us today. Why?
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[1] H. A. Williams, True Resurrection, Springfield, IL: Templegate Publishers, 1972, pp. 3-5.
[2] Ibid., p. 13
