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Did Jesus physically rise from the dead?

How are we to interpret Jesus' resurrection?


  • Total voters
    31

Thinking Homer

Understanding and challenging different worldviews
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
 
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Desert Snake

Veteran Member
Now, as far as the resurrection goes, the meaningful one is physical, the spiritual one isn't noted by any text, it's all physical. In other words, no matter what actually happened, Jesus was around after the 'crucifixion'.
 
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Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
It could be argued if it was a physical Resurrection Jesus wasn't really dead in the first place.
 

Ellen Brown

Well-Known Member
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?


I am trying to turn over a new leaf and not attack other belief systems, and it is soooo hard because some of them make such good targets.

I've thought about the Atonement, and have wondered if people would believe if certain elements were not present. The Jews don't have the Christian "Jesus" and they still believe in G_d. We say that Jesus came to Atone for our sins, and my answer is "Wait a minute, I'm trying as hard as I can." The theology around "The Fall", seems needlessly vindictive and even bogus at times. Though when I pray, I always end with "in your Holy Name and in the name of Jesus the Christ". Hmph, some rebel I am.

For me, many/most of the belief systems are very deeply flawed, so there is always the search for the real intention of "G_d, God, Allah", how ever he represents himself. Anyone who has spent significant time in study is aware of inconsistencies in how scripture is interpreted and obeyed, or not. My pet peeve is 1 Cor. 11. Grrr.

Sorry I ran off the rails. I am not absolutely sure that Jesus rising from the dead was necessary, though it is what God did. For me, the Resurrection simply proves there is a path from death to life.
 

Thinking Homer

Understanding and challenging different worldviews
Just to create some context, this is what JW believe:

"Usually they could not at first tell it was Jesus, for he appeared in different bodies. He appeared and disappeared just as angels had done, because he was resurrected as a spirit creature. Only because Thomas would not believe did Jesus appear in a body like that in which he had died" (Paradise Lost to Paradise Gained, pg 144)

"Jesus did not take his human body to heaven to be forever a man in heaven. Had he done so, that would have left him ever lower than the angels. God did not purpose for Jesus to be humiliated thus forever by being a fleshly man forever. No, but after he had sacrificed his perfect manhood, God raised him to deathless life as a glorious spirit creature." (Let God be true, pg 41)
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
Notice that Paul says "If Christ is not raised," not "if Jesus is not raised." The resurrection is about Ezekiels vision of bones coming together to form a body, an Israel of kings and priests, but many people oppose Paul and disagree. They dont consider Christ to be raised. Jesus message "The kingdom of God is here" is not enough. Remember how in Acts it says the holy spirit comes onto all kinds of people not just Jews? This is Ezekiels vision, a catholic vision of a world blessed by Abraham. Well this is how Paul sees things but not everyone.

Of course I am not even addressing the Romans who have massacred and oppressed Christians. They have no interest in a blessed world and prefer to keep their pagan beliefs about an afterlife. These are not who Paul refers to. I am only addressing people living in contact with Christians in the wake of the destruction of the temple who find it hard to believe that Ezekiels ideas are coming into fruition. They do not believe that Christ is raised, but neither they nor Paul are entertaining fantasies about an afterlife.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I couldn't vote as the option I now favor was not listed: Swoon Theory

My favoring of this theory has been enhanced recently by certain modern psychic input into the matter from sources I have come to respect (one being 'Channeling Erik').
 
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InChrist

Free4ever
Jesus was resurrected physically with a new, glorified, eternal body...

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Luke 24:36-43
 

Thinking Homer

Understanding and challenging different worldviews
I couldn't vote as the option I now favor was not listed: Swoon Theory

My favoring of this theory has been enhanced recently by certain modern psychic input into the matter from sources I have come to respect (one being 'Channeling Erik').

Oh I see. But Swoon Theory would fall under 'Never resurrected' so you could vote for that
 
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

You don't have an option for both buddy.

But I agree with Paul statement. If your a Christian and don't preach the resurrection of Christ your just wasting your time.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
You don't have an option for both buddy.

But I agree with Paul statement. If your a Christian and don't preach the resurrection of Christ your just wasting your time.
You arent agreeing with Paul but with mediocrity. There is nothing godly or moral about scrambling for more time. The resurrection Paul wants is a resurrection that matters not a materialistic me-me.
 

TrueBeliever37

Well-Known Member
For me, many/most of the belief systems are very deeply flawed, so there is always the search for the real intention of "G_d, God, Allah", how ever he represents himself. Anyone who has spent significant time in study is aware of inconsistencies in how scripture is interpreted and obeyed, or not. My pet peeve is 1 Cor. 11. Grrr.

Hi Ellen,
Just wondering, what is the issue with 1 Corinthians 11?
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

There are many problems with taking literally the narrative that Jesus physically rose from the dead and to me it’s almost certainly allegorical. I wouldn’t for one moment diminish its spiritual importance in making sense of the overall Message of Christ and that’s why Paul makes such an emphasis.

The apostle Paul of course never saw the resurrected Christ (not documented at least) as He converted several years after the 40 days of ‘appearances’ to the faithful after His first appearance to Mary.

I appreciate that it’s a core believe for conservative Christians but just wanted to emphasise there’s other ways of looking at the resurrection that don’t rely on an obsolete cosmology of the universe and are consistent with a critical analysis of New Testament.
 

Ellen Brown

Well-Known Member
There are many problems with taking literally the narrative that Jesus physically rose from the dead and to me it’s almost certainly allegorical. I wouldn’t for one moment diminish its spiritual importance in making sense of the overall Message of Christ and that’s why Paul makes such an emphasis.

The apostle Paul of course never saw the resurrected Christ (not documented at least) as He converted several years after the 40 days of ‘appearances’ to the faithful after His first appearance to Mary.

I appreciate that it’s a core believe for conservative Christians but just wanted to emphasise there’s other ways of looking at the resurrection that don’t rely on an obsolete cosmology of the universe and are consistent with a critical analysis of New Testament.


I see Religion and Science to be inextricably related. I think that Science that we may yet understand, could explain Jesus rising again.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
As you may well know, for Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ forms the core foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

How are we to interpret the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a physical resurrection as traditional views state, or was it merely a spiritual resurrection like Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
Good question.
The Bible says clearly, that Jesus, a mortal, was killed, and resurrected as an immortal spirit.
1 Peter 3:18
Other Supportive Scriptures
 
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