Reframing The Resurrection
A familiarity with the Old Testament narrative and hope is essential to a proper framework of the Gospel (that which is revealed in the New Testament). Just as a picture-frame helps one know the general size and outline of the soon to be inserted picture, the Old Testament serves a similar function regarding the hope revealed in the New Testament. Surely one wouldn’t bring a statue to put in a picture frame, right? It is the same with the way we begin to understand the resurrection of the dead being fulfilled in the New Testament. Of course we know that the New Testament hope was a mystery during the time of the Old Testament (see, 1 Peter 1:10-12). During the “fulness of time”, Jesus Christ remarked that one needed “eyes to see and ears to hear” the fulfilment He was providing. The Apostle Paul called this “spiritual discernment” (see, 1 Corinthians 2:14). Nonetheless, as Augustine, a 5th century Christian theologian and writer, said, “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” It is imperative that we approach the New Testament with an informed Old Testament perspective, all the while knowing that the New Testament gives us a hindsight bias that was not had in the Old, and can only be discerned through the Spirit of God.
I write this on the heals of doing 32 study sessions through the Old Testament regarding the “hope of Israel”. Namely touching every “resurrection text” in the Law and the Prophets. We’ve discerned the hope demonstrated throughout the Old Testament to be restoration to the covenant identity of being the people of God, in the presence of God, in contrast to a constantly exiled people, who were deemed ‘dead’ to God. Yes, resurrection would affect the righteous as well as the wicked, the living and the dead.
While we witness reformation and revival taking place across the land of America, and throughout the world, especially as it pertains to the fulfilment of Bible prophecy, we must discern a “reframation”, as Bible teacher, Larry Siegle has called it – or in other words, a proper framing of Bible details – based upon the Biblical narrative, historical context, audience relevance, and time-statements. It’s only when we properly reframe things that we can wrap our minds around the end, the goal, the ‘telos’, being highlighted.
I say all of this to preface our New Testament portion of “A Contextual Study on the Hope of Israel/ Resurrection of the Dead”. We must keep the Old Testament narrative in our mind as we read Jesus speaking to the disciples and the religious leaders, as well as reading through Apostolic letters. Each of them surely would have had the Old Testament hopes in mind as they heard Jesus Christ and the Apostles speak to the fulfilment of all things written (cf. Luke 21:21-22). As Augustine had said, “…the old is in the new revealed”. It’s imperative to discern what was concealed and have a high regard for what was revealed.
Rebellion Against Clarity
Unfortunately, despite the current reformation and revival taking place, there are those who want to rebel against God’s revealed truth. Presuppositions and traditions seem to lead the way, rather than honest seeking, searching, studying, and proving. Steve Gregg, a popular Bible teacher, recently published a book titled, Why Not Full Preterism, wherein he demonstrates his confusion and lack of consistency in studying these things out.
Gregg writes, “Though the Old Testament is relatively quiet on the subject of the resurrection, there are several passages from which Jews seemed to have derived their ideas”, which he listed as Job 19: 25-26; Ps. 16:10; Hosea 6:1-2; 13:14; Isaiah 25:7-8; 26:19; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Daniel 12:2. While I appreciate Steve marking out texts we have previously studied through to understand Israel’s hope, I am dismayed that he misses the entire point of the resurrection hope of the Old Testament. How can he say that the Old Testament is quiet on the resurrection, but the Apostle Paul said he preached nothing other than the resurrection hope as revealed in the Old Testament? See, Acts 24:14-15; 26:6-8. Paul was imprisoned because he preached the resurrection hope (see, Acts 28:20) Someone is confused and it sure isn’t the Apostle Paul!
Steve’s confusion is further demonstrated and sort of summarized in this statement, “…these devoted to any version of Full Preterism have reason to want Paul’s teachings to differ radically from those of the Jews, regardless of his statements affirming that he held a view compatible with theirs”. Obviously Steve’s goal in writing the book was to make a charge against Full Preterism. The idea that all Bible prophecy including but not limited to the judgement, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of the the new heavens and new earth as a current reality. In the very first chapter of this blog, I explained to to us that the hope of Israel, though being spoken about constantly by the Old Testament prophets, was veiled to those in those times, as well as to many in the first century, because they were revealed to those given “eyes to see and ears to hear”, or as the Apostle Paul said it, “Spiritually-discerned”. If Jesus is the Resurrection, and the Jews rejected Him, it’s logical to conclude that there was and are portions of Jesus’ message that were not and are not compatible with what the Jews expected. Steve continued to use this confusion throughout his detailing his perspective of the ‘resurrection of the dead’, going on to say, “Neither the Saduccees, nor the Pharisees, nor Jesus, (nor any Biblical writer, incidentally), ever associated any part of the doctrine of the resurrection with “heaven” (nor should we)”. I highlight this because this is exactly the confusion in the common-day Christian worldview that has run rampant through Futurism. Oddly enough, I agree with the sentiment Steve is making. However. If you go ahead and listen to just a few of those who speak against Full Preterism, as Steve Gregg is attempting to do, many of them explain the ‘resurrection of the dead’ as being all about going to heaven. Just go ahead and listen to Pastor Anthony Uvenio’s YouTube teachings against ‘Hyper-Preterism’, or Dr. Joel Beeke’s recent lecture on “Glorified Humanity”. Yet Steve will then go on to say (speaking about the host of confused and divided Futurist views), “Either interpretation can be reasonably defended. It really doesn’t change much either way”.
We are in dire need of reformation and revival. A reformation against rampant confusion, inconsistency, and avoidance of conversations. A revival of clarity is seeking, searching, studying, and proving the things we believe and what we read in the Scriptures.
Audience Relevance Rather Than Creedal Affirmations
Steve Gregg warns that “Full Preterists want us to reconsider the definitions of such terms as “the resurrection”, “that age”, and the phrase “neither marry nor are given in marriage”. They suggest that these terms do not refer to what the Church has always understood them to mean – i.e., literal resurrection of the dead at the end of this present world, rendering the institution of marriage obsolete.” Simply put, Steve is demanding that the present day institution of the Church, with all of its divisions, denominations, and distinctions, has these things hammered out and “has always understood”. This is simply a chronocentric ignorance or arrogance regarding Church History. There have been debates of the details of the resurrection of the dead in Church History. Even within the fold of those who debate against Full Preterism there is disagreement regarding the ‘end of this present world’ and the ‘rendering of marriage obsolete’ as per Matthew chapter 22.
The common day reformation taking place reveals Biblical ignorance, even in some of the highest places of Christian scholarship, not just regarding Bible prophecy, but in a variety of areas. That being so, yes, there is the need to challenge assumptions, presuppositions and even definitions that have been imposed on the Scriptures, rather than exegeted from them. What happens when we truly search the Scriptures to see if what is being said, even asserted by creedal positions, is true? Why such a worrisome effort against honest seeking, searching, studying, and proving? What has the Church always believed? What has the Church always believed about what believes?
Furthermore, the Full Preterist would encourage a gaining of original audience relevance rather than leaning on the men and women throughout Church History (as knowledgeable and informed as they might be). Unfortunately, any time a Full Preterist tries to do this in an honest fashion, and encourage those learning and discerning to do so as well, the distraction of creedal affirmations is brought up.
Matthew Chapter 22 & Original Audience Relevance
In the midst of his chronocentric confusion, Steve Gregg wants to assert, “It would seem clear, without any special coaching from Full Preterists, the original audience would understand…”. Well, if you can get some of these men who rebel against the truth of Full Preterism to spend time talking about ‘original audience relevance’ rather than creedal affirmations, you’ve done a great task already. However, as I explained at the beginning of this blog, a gaining of audience relevance will come by way of a necessary reframation. I mean, c’mon, Steve Gregg doesn’t seem to believe the Old Testament talks much of the Old Testament hope being fulfilled that the Apostle Paul said he preached nothing other than.
After completing our 32 sessions looking at the Old Testament, now our study, A Contextual Study on the Hope of Israel/ Resurrection of the Dead, turns to the New Testament, specifically Matthew 22:23-33. Steve Gregg has a chapter in his book, Why Not Full Preterism, devoted to this passage, Chapter 10 – No Marriage In The Resurrection (from which some of the quotes I already shared were obtained). Pastor Anthony Uvenio, who I also mentioned in this blog already, speaks about this text in his 2nd teaching against ‘Hyper-Preterism’ (link available in notes portion of this blog). Pastor Uvenio explains that he wishes he could ask a Full Preterist about this, which was simple a lie, since he had ample chance to talk with me and ask me prior to having me removed from silently sitting in the gathered assembly on a Sunday with my family a while back. Ahh that’s a conversation for another time (see notes portion below for informative article). Are these men really chasing after the truth? You review the text and the resources in light of what I’ve shared in this blog. Seek, search, study, and prove.
Matthew 22:23-33
“On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.” But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.”
Luke 20:27-40
“Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”
Conclusion – Clarity & Consistency
As we journeyed through the Old Testament, Genesis to Malachi, we noted the death of Adam having the same affect on Israel. Covenant death, relationship-death, identity death, or fellowship death. We saw this the day Adam sinned and we saw the prophets lament this reality within Israel. Beginning with texts like Genesis 3:15, being highlighted by Hosea in Hosea chapter 6, we find Israel gaining a hope to overcome this death through resurrection.
As we look at Matthew chapter 22, we find Jesus Christ responding to the Sadducees in a way they would be familiar with and appreciate – citing from the Law of Moses. Jesus responds to their question by highlight the profound change that would come in the age to come – like angels, sons of God. What this is must be understood through examining the Scriptures (an understanding Jesus tells them they did not have) and discerning the power of God (dare I say His presence and purpose). Then, knowing their intent to trip Him up, He goes on to affirm from the Law of Moses the truth of resurrection, which they denied, yet after hearing Jesus speak to it, they assert, “Teacher, you have spoken well”. Jesus Christ affirms that there will be a ‘resurrection of the dead’ and ultimately has them affirm it too!
A key to understanding the point Jesus Christ is making would be to know what the Sadducees denied regarding resurrection and why. Why did their perspective cause them to have a disregard for the prophets of ancient Israel, yet a willingness to participate with the Roman government? It had nothing to do with dying and going to heaven, their affirmation of or denial of it, but rather their view of how God would provide restoration for Israel – something even the disciples of Jesus hoped for and desired to fully understand up to His ascension (see, Acts 1:9-11). I’d encourage a review of the resources listed below regarding this text from great teachers like Dr. Don K. Preston and Tim Martin.
When we reframe the ‘resurrection of the dead’ in line with a proper contextual study of the Old Testament we do not find this presupposed ‘orthodox’ idea of some physical restoration of the planet or our individual bodies. Rather, resurrection was a hope of restoration, renewal, and redemption of His people and their identity. In many cases, a proper study and honest interaction with these things (which is being seen in the contemporary setting of modern Christian as we speak) reveals a need to go beyond a chronocentric idea of Church history, go beyond the historic creeds, and in some cases ‘redefine’ contemporary thoughts in light of Scriptural exegesis.
Links & Resources
Pt. 32 of A Contextual Study on the Hope of Israel/ Resurrection of the Dead – https://mianogonewild.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/a-contextual-study-on-the-hope-of-israel-resurrection-of-the-dead-pt-32/
Pt. 1 Review of Steve Gregg’s book, Why Not Full Preface (Miano) – https://mianogonewild.wordpress.com/2023/03/05/a-contradictory-preface-why-not-full-preterism-book-review/
Article about Pastor Miano being removed from a local assembly – https://www.fulfilledcg.com/Magazine/previous-issues-2021-2025/2022-winter/miano.htm
Pastor Anthony Uvenio’s Pt. 2 against Full Preterism – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvYw-uucYYY
Don Preston on Matthew 22- https://donkpreston.com/no-marrying-or-giving-in-marriage-a-few-thoughts/?fbclid=IwAR38k5mndh93KKTY3-k9ywadeh6of8E8OkEJ_WDXYgUH4jUGGe9xQqHDlIU
Tim Martin on Levirate Marriage – https://beyondcreationscience.com/media/Levirite_Marriage.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0Ut7c5ruZ43FOFGZ_owT2O5vycwHdO-DweYA0WxQcW5e9WtIsNTD2rhYQ
Ward Fenley on Luke 20 – https://eschatology.com/whymarriage.html?fbclid=IwAR3acrZ6dMNLR3ECmV6oim0B6-m60W7KNktbiMEvakW_4IPlIE7asD9ZHjw
MIANO-GONE-WILD 