Resurrection and Easter Faith

Discusses resurrection in the light of teachings on the rapture, heaven prior to the resurrection, resurrection and glorification. Explores what our resurrection body might be like, the possible reasons for a resurrection body, and Christ's victory over death.

Explains Jesus resurrection as (1) God's seal of approval on Jesus, (2) validating our salvation, (3) typifying our spiritual union with Jesus, and (4) the harbinger of our own resurrection on the last day.

Explores various theories to try to explain the resurrection in natural terms: (1) theft theory, (2) swoon theory, (3) wrong tomb theory, (4) vision theory, and (5) spiritual metaphor theory. Lists five important facts of Easter morning, and the sufficiency of the evidence for Jesus' resurrection.

Explores accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John of the resurrection events, notes points of agreement between the accounts, and discusses the Synoptic Problem. Explains the importance of the position of the graveclothes, why the stone was rolled away, the nature of Jesus' resurrection body, and the resurrection compared to the ascension.

Explores the Old Testament concept of Sheol and the afterlife. Then examines glimmers of hope of resurrection that appear in Job and the Psalms, Hosea, and Isaiah. Looks at Ezekiel's valley of dry bones, resurrection in Daniel, and in first century Judaism. Outlines Jesus' teaching on the resurrection of the dead, Jesus as the agent of resurrection, his promise of his own resurrection. Also compares first century ideas of the third day vs. three days.

Briefly explains the attacks on the truthfulness of the resurrection and why the topic is vital for Christians to explore.