Friday, March 7, 2008

The FEAT of Resurrection

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says "What I received I passed on to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and then He appeared, first to Peter, then to the Twelve. After that He appeared to more than 500 brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, although some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles," and last of all He appeared to Paul, who became the apostle to the Gentiles.

Now in that we have the acronym that I communicate in The Third Day, the acronym F-E-A-T, because the resurrection is the greatest feat in the annals of recorded history.

Jesus Christ:

F - suffered Fatal torment.
E - The tomb was Empty. Christianity simply cannot survive an identifiable tomb containing the corpse of Christ.
A - He Appeared to many people and gave convincing proofs that He alive.
T - He Transformed the disciples, vicariously the Roman Empire, and us today.

The transformation that takes place as the result of the resurrection is the power of the Gospel in that the early Christians had seen the resurrected Christ and, therefore, they were willing to put it all on the line because they knew that they too, like their Master, would rise immortal, imperishable, incorruptible, and as such they turned an empire upside down.

1 comment:

Dr. Russell Norman Murray said...

Hello, Hank.

It is good to see you on-line. I have listened to CRI since 1988, and it has been an influence in me seeking education in Theology, Biblical Studies, and Philosophy.
I have been working on the problem of evil, first with a MPhil, and now with an almost completed PhD. We will not agree on every issue, but we shall agree on the essentials. I like the FEAT acronym, and quite liked your FACE evolution text. I also respected your stance against the supposed revivals, and one of my moderately liberal charismatic advisors in Wales did not appreciate your views!;) I realize Christian academic work can be controversial, from personal experience. All the best in North Carolina, Hank.

Russ

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