The Centrality of the Resurrection

Antony Flew, noted atheist Philosopher at Oxford University (actually in the past few years Flew has moved from Atheism to Theism… not making any claims about any particular wing of theism. That is as far as I know) has written of the resurrection, “The scandalous particularity consists here in the fact that one particular alleged miracle, occurring at one particular time and place on one particular planet, is not just one of the evidence for identifying Christianity as a revelation of and from God, but is itself the crucial element in the essential content of that revelation.”
NT Wright (Bishop of Durham) says of the resurrection, “For Paul, the point of the resurrection is not simply that the creator god has done something remarkable for one solitary individual (as people today sometimes imagine is the supposed thrust of the Easter proclamation), but that, in and through the resurrection, ‘the present evil age’ has been invaded by the ‘age to come’, the time of restoration, return, covenant renewal, and forgiveness. An event has occurred as a result of which the world is a different place, and human beings have the new possibility to become a different kind of people.”
Another noted scholar of the resurrection, Gary Habermas says, “The New Testament claims that the resurrection of Jesus is the center of Christian theology and practice. It is also recognized as such by almost all theologians today, even those who do not interpret this event literally.”

There’s no question that the resurrection deserves some attention. It’s an event that demands interpretation by everyone on the planet… to deem it legend, plain farce, an historical reality or some combination of those. One thing is undeniable however, it was the central event to the early church, and continues to be the central event in the church year. There are some notable points for the early church.

Preaching the resurrection was central in the first century church! They begin telling the story at the beginning! The history of the NT Church – Acts begins with it! Acts 1:3, 2:24, 5:30, 10:40, and 24:21. In continues central in Paul’s preaching: Romans 1:4, 6:5, 9, 10:9; I Cor. 6:5, 14; 15:1-9, 12,13; II Timothy 1:10, 12; 2:8-13. It’s prominent in Peter’s preaching I Peter 1:3

The Transformation brought about by the resurrection is an undeniable minimal fact of the resurrection! While at one moment the first leaders of the church were cowering in an upper room wondering what to do next, they were at the next moment challenging the religious establishment and being put to death for their belief in the resurrection! John 20:19/Acts 5:27-32. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a defining moment for the church of Jesus Christ… an event, or decision in your life, after which, everything changes. Paul says… “if Christ hasn’t been raised then there isn’t any resurrection and we’re fools! It’s Central! Paul tells Agrippa – “This didn’t happen in a corner!” Acts 26:22-28. Both here and in I Corinthians 15 Paul says, “This thing happened out in the open… and there are many people still alive who witnessed it (1 Cor. 15) go and ask them! The resurrection brought change… The disciples, Paul, James! Neither Paul nor James were believers until after the resurrection, and neither were candidates for anything like hallucination - which is in no way a compelling argument. You have to account for something changing Paul and James, the brother of Jesus.

The centrality of the resurrection gave them power to live! If we want to understand what’s back of Paul’s message to Timothy then we have to understand Paul’s frame of reference. When he says to Timothy: He’s telling Timothy, a young church leader living in perilous times that he can stand firm in the face of adversity, and even potential death for his faith because of Christ… and specifically the resurrection. 1:10… who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 1:12… I know whom I have believed and convinced… 2:11… if we died with him we shall also live with Him… Paul’s perspective was other worldly… he was able to walk through the difficulties he faced because of his personal encounter with Christ… Risen from the dead!

The Implications of the Resurrection. Romans 8:11 – Shall give life to your mortal bodies…Romans 6:4 – We shall have a new life by the power of God… Romans 10:9 – We can be saved…In the resurrection we are born again into a LIVING HOPE!

If the resurrection is real… it changes everything, it gives us a different view of reality… what we see here isn’t all there is, there is more. Our hope is in Him who transcends this physical world, who is able to do abundantly beyond all that we can ask or thing according to His power that is at work among us!