The Resurrection A Symposium

The resurrection is doubtless one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. Without it we are left with a Jesus who was merely a great teacher, ahead of his time, yet far from divine. With it, however, we have undeniable proof of His divinity and a rock-solid hope for the future. "The Resurrection: A Symposium" is a classic collection of essays by the theological heavyweights of the 19th century. Topics include the meaning of the resurrection for the saved and unsaved, defenses against common objections to the resurrection and the importance of the resurrection as the foundation of everything a Christian believes.

Eminent scholars from a wide range of theological disciplines debate the central truth of Christianity, the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The many schools of thought include moral theology, philosophy, biblical studies and fundamental theology.

We can never understand the utter desolation of Christ's disciples during the days that lay betwixt Christ's death and His resurrection. Our faith rests on centuries. We know that that grave was not even an interruption to the progress of His work, but was the straight road to His triumph and His glory. We know that it was the completion of the work of which the raising of the widow's son and of Lazarus were but the beginnings. But these disciples did not know that. To them the inferior miracles by which He had redeemed others from the power of the grave, must have made His own captivity to it all the more stunning; and the thought which such miracles ending so must have left upon them, must have been something like this: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save." And therefore we can never think ourselves fully back to that burst of strange, sudden thankfulness with which these weeping Marys found those two calm angels sitting like the cherubim over the mercy-seat, but overshadowing a better propitiation, and heard the words of my text: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen." But yet, although the words before us, in the full depth and preciousness of their meaning, of course could only be once fulfilled, we may not only gather from them thoughts concerning that one death and resurrection, but we may likewise apply them, in a very permissible modification of meaning, to the present condition of all who have departed in His faith and fear; since for us, too, it is true that whenever we go to an open grave, sorrowing for those that we love, or oppressed with the burden of mortality in any shape, if our eyes are anointed, we can see there sitting the quiet angel forms; and if our ears be purged from the noise of earth, we can hear them saying to us, in regard to all that have gone away: "Why seek ye the living in these graves? They are not here; they are risen, as He said." The thoughts are very old, brethren. God be thanked they are old! Perhaps to some they may come now with new power, because they come with new application to your own present condition. Perhaps to some they may sound very weak, and "words weaker than your grief will make grief more;" but such as they are, let us look at them for a moment or two together.

This interdisciplinary study follows an international and ecumenical meeting of twenty-one scholars held in New York at Easter 2003: the Redemption Summit. After an opening chapter, which explores seven central questions for writers on redemption, five chapters are dedicated to the scriptural roots of the doctrine. A section on the patristic and medieval periods then examines the interpretation of redemption through the centuries. The volume moves on to foundational and systematic issues: the problem of horrendous evil, karma and grace, and differing views on justification. Studies on the redemption in literature, art, music, and preaching form the final part. There is a fruitful dialogue between experts in a wide range of areas and the international reputation of the participants reflects and guarantees the high quality of this joint work. The result is a well researched, skilfully argued, and, at times, provocative volume on the central Christian belief: the redemption of human beings through Jesus Christ.

This book shows how Paul's tight link between resurrection and salvation both raised problems for and profoundly shaped Early Christian theology.

Now you can have the best Sperry Symposium articles about the New Testament gathered in one outstanding volume! Containing many of the most instructive and inspirational commentaries ever written on the subject, this book features such authors as President James E. Faust, Elders Jay E. Jensen, L. Aldin Porter, Gerald N. Lund, and many others. The fourth and final volume in the Sperry Symposium Classics series, this collection is sure to serve as a precious resource as we focus on the New Testament in the coming year. Topics include Christs ministry, atonement, and resurrection as well as chapters on the apostles writings and on vital doctrines taught in this standard work.Additional contributors include Elder John K. Carmack, Dennis Largey, Andrew Skinner, Robert Matthews, Richard Anderson, Wilfred Griggs, Richard Holzapfel, Monte Nyman, Catherine Thomas, Robert Millet, Matthew Richardson, Richard Draper, Gaye Strathearn, Kent Brown, and others.

The story of Jesus Christ did not end at the cross. In fact, that was only the beginning. Why the Resurrection? explains the significance of Christ's resurrection and provides a resounding answer to the question of life after death. This book is a companion book to Why the Passion?