Resurrection Stories of Faith?

Many believe that the resurrection accounts are merely "stories of faith". These phrase could simply mean that the gospel writers guided by the Spirit (2Tim 3:16) selected from the extant tradition elements that suited their particular purpose for writing. Furthermore, that the stories they present, view events from the perspective of faith (rather than simply recounting a historical record alone). These evangelists are believers and speak in terms of belief.

However, the above phrase may have a meaning that is unacceptable to me at least. While I accept that differences are found among the accounts of the resurrection appearances, I don't accept that these differences mean that we can treat these versions as reducible to the whims and fancies of human writers. The scriptures are completely trustworthy in what they intend which is to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim 3.15).

One feature that NT Wright presented http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/aprilweb-only/114-42.0.html as earning special attention re the Resurrection accounts is the absence of scripture verses. (I've never noticed this feature before!) Up until the resurrection stage in the unfolding of the story of Jesus, OT scriptures are directly quoted or alluded to throughout the records. But, once we get to the resurrection accounts, nothing.

And why might that be? St Paul did not have any trouble citing OT parallels for the resurrection but the gospel writers are silent. One possible reason is that the gospel writers are drawing on an old, oral tradition that has no explanation for the resurrection. It is beyond the experience of the Jewish disciples.

Of course, the Jews knew about people being raised from the dead but Jesus' resurrection is not mere resuscitation. He is not an animated corpse who will die again in due course. Although, He is a real living person, He is a person whom the disciples recognise but not always easily. He also passes through locked doors as well and can come and go to heaven.

Wright therefore concluded that what we get in the gospels is the resurrection unedited and without gloss. Sure, minor differences occur among the evangelists but the core the story is the same: Jesus dies, is buried in an unused sepulchre which is guarded by Roman decree but on the third day Jesus' body is nowhere to be found. He then begins to appear to individuals and to groups who are in the main slow to believe that this is Jesus their Master.

All these accounts are more than individual stories of faith; they are versions emerging from a community of faith, which is convinced that it has seen the Risen Lord.

Christ GodForsaken?

All my life I have heard how Jesus was the Godforsaken One. And again, recently, a leader in a service said, that God the Father "turned His face away from the Son on the cross". But is that true? Was there some split in the Trinity that resulted in one Member turning away from another because of our sin?

The best treatment I have read on this matter is found at http://answers.org/theology/forsaken.html.

One of the excellent points made by this author is that these words are the opening words of the Messianic Psalm 22. When so quoted, the terms of the whole of the psalm is being evoked. These words are the cry of the dying Messiah whose agony is fulfilling the terms of the psalm. Even His accusers are part of that fulfilment when they wag their heads and mock him, "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if He desires him" (Ps 22:6-8; Matt 27:43).

Note too the reaction of the onlookers to his quoting of these verses from Ps 22. "This man is calling Elijah" who mock Jesus as if he is calling on Elijah. (Eli and Elijah may sound similar coming from the lips of a crucified man.) Importantly, they don't conclude that Jesus is admitting he is Godforsaken. And then Jesus dies.

What happens then is that the Temple's curtain is torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shakes, rocks are split and saints are raised to life!! All these are signs of redemptive judgment on the old order and patently confirm Jesus as the Messianic King of a New Order.

WHEN I SURVEY

At Belgrave Heights Convention on Good Friday, I was standing depressed in the morning service when the congregation sang, "When I survey the wondrous Cross" to a haunting melody. This band of evangelical Christians sang this hymn with such feeling and gusto that, caught up by the Spirit, I raised my hands.

Now the raising of hands is relatively rare at this place and being a staid Anglican, I don't raise my hands often either but on this occasion I felt compelled. The tears pattered on my cheeks and my body shook; then I felt released. I have felt this type of release before but not for some time.

The teaching given was excellent. I was challenged by it and probably enjoyed that more because of the healing work that had been done in my heart and soul. God had met me in this situation and relieved me from a pain that had been dogging me for some time. All glory to Him.