The Resurrection has been a constant topic for centuries. This claim of Christians and specifically the early disciples revolutionized Judaism at the time, created a new faith tradition, and transformed the thinking of ancient society and continues to do so. The Resurrection is fundamental to the belief system of Christianity.
While many don’t want to admit it: Christianity is just as much a faith tradition and religion as it is a philosophical system.
Philosophy asks questions in two areas:
Epistemology-the branch of knowledge dealing with the theory of knowledge
- The nature of knowledge: truth, belief
- Skepticism
- How do we know things-sense: taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing
- What is belief
- What is truth
Metaphysics-studies the nature of reality-(What cannot be perceived without the 5 senses)
- Being, knowing substance, cause, identity, time and space
- Cosmology-origins
While we don’t intentional think about it, when we do begin to ask philosophical questions as it relates to our existence, being, and purpose in life we unknowingly ask metaphysical and epistemological questions. Whenever there is a tragedy we ask these philosophical questions. Whenever we hit a brick wall in life these questions naturally pop up. While we experience the death of loved ones: parents, children, friends and neighbors, we automatically ask philosophical questions whether we realize it or not. In the midst of crisis, we also question our faith.
As Christians we should be concerned about Apologetics-which is the defense of the Faith. The Bible gives us a reason to always be ready to defend the faith.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (I Peter 3:15-16)
This passage of scripture encourages us to defend the faith. Defending the faith is not necessarily an argument, but if arguing or debating is part of us defending the faith, it should be done, as the text, says with gentleness. We should defend our faith, and it should be known what we believe and why. One of the reasons our young people go away to college and abandon the faith is because they have not been taught a firm foundation for what they believe and why.
Not only should be defend the faith, we should spend more time talking about what the faith means for us. The Resurrection for me signifies many things.
If Jesus conquered Death we can conquer death
- Not so much in the Physical but in the allegorical and spiritual
Death is not solely Physical
- Death is emotional, psychological, and spiritual
- We die daily in our relationships daily
But because Jesus lived again we can live again
Our finances
Our jobs - There is Life after Defeat, Divorce, Disaster and Tragedy
The beauty of The Emmanuel 9 Tragedy is the resurrection experience of the families. They did not live in anger and bitterness; they chose to forgive, and the nation and the world celebrated them.
The resurrection is new life, new hope, new beginnings, and new possibilities. If there was not forgiveness or possible resurrection, Jesus would not have forgiven his accusers and executioners. People are always going to disagree about the Historical Jesus or Mythological Jesus. But our experience with Jesus is not objective but rather subjective. People can call our personal experience with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit as false, but no one can argue against your lived experience and testimony. Edgar Allen Poe said in the poem the Raven said, “ Death is in the midst of life.” He is correct, and Jesus gives us life.