Are the Dead Raised?

1 Corinthians 15 is the Resurrection Chapter. Nowhere in Scripture do we find such an extensive treatment of the importance and extent of the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers. However, this second aspect, the resurrection of believers, is often given less emphasis than it deserves.

How could I criticize anyone for holding high the resurrection of Christ - which is indeed writ large in this chapter? I would not do that. Our accent should be upon our Lord's historic, bodily resurrection. For example, Tim Challies just posted on this passage today (his excellent piece prompted me to write this post). I commend his article to you and have no complaint against it.

However, I think that there is some background to Paul's address to the Corinthians regarding the resurrection of the believer that is often overlooked, and it points to a bigger problem in many churches than many pastors know.

I really don't think many people in the Corinthian church were overtly denying the resurrection of Christ, nor were they denying the immortality of the soul. Some flying the banner of "Christian" will always deny Christ's resurrection -- these are impostors that the Apostles warn about elsewhere. However, what prompted Paul to write primarily was faulty doctrine concerning the future bodily resurrection held by some in the church. Of course, Paul addresses other crucial doctrines in this chapter - chief among them being the absolute necessity of Christ's resurrection. However, I can imagine people in the church saying, "You don't really think that these bodies of ours will be raised?"

Consider how Paul writes:
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised (15:12, 13). And in case we missed it,

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised (15:16).

It appears that Paul is arguing back to the resurrection of Christ from the necessity of the resurrection of everyone else. In other words, if the resurrection is not true, then it can't be true that Christ has bodily risen from the tomb. The proclamation of Christ risen from the dead was and is essential Gospel doctrine (15:1-4), but if Christians fudge on the doctrine of the resurrection going forward, they are effectively - even if unwittingly -- jeopardizing the truth of Christ's "first fruits" resurrection in the past. 

Is a denial of the resurrection a real problem in the contemporary evangelical church, or am I just doing theological nit-picking? I do believe that there is confusion in evangelical churches among regular attenders regarding the future bodily resurrection of believers. Pastors need to be explicit in their teaching regarding the resurrection of believers because it is dangerous to assume that people understand and hold on to this doctrine. I have heard upstanding church members mock the idea that we will be raised literally. I've heard more than one professing Christian say, "This body? I don't want this one back!" I've heard others say that they hadn't really thought about the future resurrection, even though they'd attended church for decades.

I don't think there is an area that Christians are more tempted to drift into Gnostic (matter bad / spirit good) heresies than in this matter of the future bodily resurrection and the coming New Creation.

Yes, by all means, we must proclaim the reality of Christ's historic resurrection! Soberly consider the consequences of denying this doctrine and shudder. Celebrate the glory of this life-giving, justifying miracle of our Risen Lord. However, don't neglect to trace out the cosmic and personal consequences of our future, bodily resurrection as well.

There is so much more urgent teaching regarding the reality of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 than I have mentioned here. Go and read it carefully. Listen to some good sermons on it. Read the Challies article. All I wanted to do in this post was prompt you to think about the resurrection in a personal, urgent way and think about the consequences of failing to do so.

As Paul argues, if we get the resurrection of believers wrong, we will also distort the reality of Christ's resurrection. Then we will indeed be the ones most to be pitied.

Gospel Resources

When I first started this blog, I was amazed at the rich Gospel resources available online. Since then, it has become impossible to keep up. I would like to highlight a couple of messages that are about six years old -- ages ago in the internet economy. They are the opening two plenary sessions from the inaugural Gospel Coalition Conference. I thought they would be appropriate to post on this Resurrection Sunday eve as they are clear, essential presentations of what the Gospel is all about: I have recommended these two messages many times over the years. Even if you have seen them, they are worth reviewing.
- Dr. D. A. Carson, What is the Gospel?
- Dr. Tim Keller, What is Gospel-Centered Ministry? (video only, the link for the audio didn't work at the Gospel Coalition site). 

Resurrection Sunday Update

Wow. It's been almost a year since I've posted anything here. All is well, but the blog has not been a priority, obviously. I have been wondering what to do about this blog. I thought that before I jumped back in I would create a new blog with a new name, maybe a custom URL. That was ambitious enough that it only contributed to my neglect of this old place. I also thought that I might do more on Twitter and Facebook, but  if I'm going to write anywhere, it'll be here at good old New Lumps.

So, for good or ill, I'm back.

A Forever Body

Other people have risen from the dead. Even Lazarus was in the tomb for longer than Jesus. What makes Jesus' resurrection unique?

Christ rose from the dead in the body that He died with, but, when He arose, it was with a glorified body - a body that would never die again. Jesus did not leave this body when He left the earth. He will return to earth in that same body.

At His return, all who are waiting for Him in faith will share with Him a glorified, forever body. We won't become someone different or an angel. This body will be us, our body, but new, restored, perfected, glorified and fit for eternity in God's presence.

He is Risen!

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20

Because He has risen, we will rise.

Calvary Grace Conference 2012

We've had a great weekend with Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia. The audio for Friday and Saturday is up already. There is a Sunday School hour interview and a sermon by Dr. Trueman to follow, but the Reformation part of the conference is up. Here is the audio page for Calvary Grace.

What are We Doing Here?

It is January the fifth. I've been at work for three months, I will be installed as an elder at Calvary Grace on Sunday (Lord willing) and it is the beginning of a new year. It is a good time for reflection - and an update for my friends and family who follow this oft dormant blog.

God has been very good to us. When I couldn't find and job and the house wasn't selling after several weeks, I was getting worried. I was convinced that this move was the Lord's leading, so my prayer back in September was, "Lord, I am looking forward to looking back at your provision for these things...." God has graciously exceeded that expectation. He has provided - more than we expected!

First, I knew Pastor Clint, and working with him was a key reason for wanting to come here, but I didn't know the other elders at Calvary Grace, Paul and Jeff. I have been very pleased with their wisdom, ability as preachers and teachers and their heart for God and His people. It will take a while to get to know people here, but it is coming along very well. We are thankful for our new church.

My job is a good fit. The company is great - really people friendly and the work is interesting. The schedule couldn't be better and the pay is better than I was hoping for when I was submitting all those resumes in the summer.

We love our house. It is great for entertaining, accommodating for our daily needs, and has some very nice details. It is an easy drive to the places we need to go and it is in a quiet neighbourhood.

A few big things and a whole bunch of little things add up to more proof of the kindness of God to us. We are thankful. I had big expectations for this adventure, even though I thought it was crazy at times, but God in His kindness has worked things out better than I could have planned them.

We continue to be thankful for our time in Edson, but what we are doing here is what God has led us to do. It will be very interesting to see how things develop in the months and years to come.

Calvary Grace Conference 2012

Direct Link here for more information and an invitation from Pastor Clint.

Touching Base

Wow, it's been a long time since I've put anything here! This won't be much, but we are much more settled now and I have been thinking about posting. I'm afraid the blog is near the bottom of the list (though playing Angry Birds or X-Box is lower).

The job is going well. I'm getting to know the system and I have had some very good conversations with my coworkers. I'm trying to not get too used to handling mega expensive jet turbine parts.

We're very pleased with Calvary Grace (www.calvarygrace.ca). We're getting to know people and our family is a good fit.

More later. We're heading to Edmonton for a Bible Quizzing meet tomorrow. We're looking forward to that, but the weather? Not so much.

September 27

Today is the third anniversary of Emily's death. We are still so thankful to God for His grace to us in many, many ways. We miss Emily, but we know that we will see her again.

I never cease to be amazed at the people who tell us that they've been praying for us and have been thinking about Emily. As I've said many times, all of this is humbling.

So, dear readers, thank you for your prayers. We are doing well, by God's grace. We will keep on talking about Emily's legacy in our lives until we do see her again.

Rejoicing in God's Provision

This was a productive Friday. The house is officially sold and I signed a job offer. We have found a house we really like in Calgary, and a couple others that we could be happy with, so we are very thankful.

I won't say more about the job just yet (unless you ask me in person) because I do still have to do a medical exam before it is official. It looks very good, though.

In this relatively short time, I have had a taste of what being unemployed feels like. There are many people that have been looking and waiting for a decent job for a very long time. Economic conditions are quite good in this part of the world, but in many other places there are high unemployment rates and the "working poor" not quite making things work on too little income.

We do feel humbled and very blessed at God's good provision.

Mostly...

I've been waiting to post the big news about our house and the new job, but all I can say is that the house is mostly sold and I mostly have a great job in Calgary (Airdrie, to be specific).

More details very soon, I hope. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for our transition.

Last Day

Today is my last day as pastor of Edson Baptist Church. Tomorrow will mark 14 years. I started on September 1, 1997. Josh was 5 and Emily was 3. There has been a lot of water under the bridge here in Edson.

The church had a farewell for us on the 21st and my last Sunday was the 28th. Finishing up here feels strange, but God is good and we're looking forward to making the transition to Calgary.

I am still looking for work and we haven't sold the house. We're trusting that these things will happen in God's good time. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions regarding work contacts in Calgary, I'd be happy to accept any advice!

Quick Update

No buyer for our house, no job yet. We're trusting God and waiting on His timing.