The Implications of the Resurrection (or lack thereof) #2

What if the resurrection didn't happen? Would the Christian faith fall apart?

Many today are attempting to find ways to say "no" to this question. In a lecture by D.A. Carson entitled Rumors of Resurrection he recounts a recent response by a prominent religious leader in Australia (I think it was an Anglican bishop). In an interview with the media, this bishop was asked if it could be proven that Jesus' body was found and that the ressurection was nothing more than a legend, if that would ruin his faith? The bishop responded with a confident "no" explaining that it would not change the fact that "Christ had risen in his heart."

While this kind of metaphorical reading of the resurrection may be very attractive to many (mostly because it is a safe, non-threatening interpretation that fits in nicely with a post-modern worldview that detests the idea of absolute truth or an exclusive savior), it is important for us and those we interact with to understand that this is not the biblical position.

Apparently the bishop I mentioned earlier had not spent much time in 1 Corinthians (or simply ignored it). In 1 Corinthians 15 (which by the way is the earliest report of the resurrection- within 15-20 years of the crucifixion), Paul answers the question with undeniable clarity:

15:14 "And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."

15:17 "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."

15:19 "If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."

A resurrection-less gospel is not a gospel at all! If Christ only died but did not rise, we have no good news. As Paul points out later in the chapter, without the resurrection, we may as well live by the philosophy "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." If Christ was only a good teacher, or an admirable martyr, we are still in the dark, without hope. Even if we lived our lives following his good example, if he is not a living savior, he is not a savior at all, and we are all just fooling ourselves-- like cancer patients imagining we will be cured by lifting weights and keeping a healthy diet!

But if the resurrection is true, we have a living savior who conquered death and sin! For those who are in Christ, this victory has already been applied to us positionally as Christ's righteousness is credited to us by grace through faith. We see the effects of this victory gradually in this life in the process of sanctification. But the best is yet to come, when we will finally be able to fully taste the victory that Christ accomplished in his death and resurrection when we are united with him after death or upon his return.

The good news of Jesus Christ is truly "a glorious gospel" (1 Timothy 1:11) worth living for, and dying for.

Is Christianity a Straitjacket?...Brad Pitt Thinks So.

It's getting a little creepy...it seems every time I turn around I see Brad Pitt staring at me from another magazine cover. From Rolling Stone to The Architectural Review, to W Magazine, apparently the world can't get enough Brad (and Angelina)...I guess the technical term now is “Brangelina.”

My boss subscribes to Rolling Stone, so occasionally I check it out on my lunch break. Yesterday I read Rolling Stone's interview with Pitt, and have to say that I really enjoyed reading his thoughts on fame, film, family, and faith. I found much of what he had to say intelligent, witty, and admirable.
It was interesting, however, to hear Pitt's thoughts on religion. At one point during the interview Pitt explains why he tends to approach much of life skeptically:

Pitt: Well, that probably comes from growing up in a religious community (Pitt grew up conservative Southern Baptist). I just found it so stifling, my religion. I know it's very comforting for other people.

Interviewer: Did you go to Church every week?

Pitt: Yeah. And it was too much of what you shouldn't be doing instead of what you could be doing. I get enraged when people start telling other people how to live their lives...

Pitt, like many today, views Christianity (at least for himself) as a straitjacket-- a code revolving around restriction. (To be fair, there are brands of Christianity that do present the gospel as a kind of deal...“You get saved from hell...now here's your rule book...don't screw up or your out of the club”...we call that legalism, and it's bogus and unbiblical...so Brad is not completely off his rocker.)


If I could sit down with Brad, I'd tell him that he is on to something, but I'd also encourage him to consider whether it's possible that he has thrown out the baby with the bathwater.

Tim Keller discusses this notion of Christianity as a Straitjacket in chapter 3 of his book The Reason for God, (which has been the catalyst for our discussion at Missio Dei's “Sojourn Bookclub,” which meets Thursday nights at 8:00 in Webster's Cafe—if you weren't part of the group last semester, we'd love to have you!)

Keller says, “Christianity names some beliefs 'heresy' and some practices 'immoral.' It bars from its community those who transgress its doctrinal and moral boundaries. This seems to contemporary observers to endanger civic freedom, because it divides rather than unites our population. It also appears to be culturally narrow, failing to recognize that various cultures have different perspectives on reality. Finally, it seems to enslave or at least infantilize its members, determining what they must believe and practice in every particular...Christianity looks like an enemy of social cohesion, cultural adaptability, and even authentic personhood.”

Keller goes on to suggest these cultural notions of Christianity are based on mistakes about the nature of truth, community, Christianity, and of liberty itself.

In the next few days we'll consider some of Keller's arguments, not to mention some arguments from a few other credible sources...for example, Jesus!

No question or criticism from our culture should be disregarded. We must heed the words of 1 Peter 3:15: “...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you...”

*Note: Photo found at: http://jeffreydonovanfans.com/photos/magazines/straitjacket.jpg