Religion Quote by Richard B. Jr. Gaffin
““For him it does not go far enough to say, as it is often put, that Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection, in the sense of being certain because of God’s eternal purpose or his word of promise to the church, although both are certainly true for Paul. Rather, Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee in the sense that it is nothing less than the actual and, as such, representative beginning of the “general epochal event.” In Paul’s view, the general resurrection, as it includes believers, begins with Christ’s resurrection.51””
About This Quote
Paul sees Christ's resurrection not merely as a promise but as the actual start of the universal resurrection event, making it the concrete beginning of the eschatological age.
In simple terms: Christ's resurrection initiates the general resurrection.
Key Takeaway
Resurrection is a present, tangible epoch.
Themes
theology
eschatology
Christology
soteriology
biblical interpretation
Mood
reverent
hopeful
inquisitive
Type
theological exposition
scriptural analysis
When to use this quote
- preaching on eschatology
- academic study of Pauline letters
- personal faith formation
- church teaching on afterlife
Key Concepts
general resurrection
Christ's resurrection
Paul's theology
epochal event
Practical Applications
- theological education
- sermon preparation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing resurrection as an epochal event shape Christian hope?
- What implications does this have for understanding the timing of the final resurrection?
![“At death, therefore, we shall enter into the garden: but only at the return of Christ and the resurrection can we obtain access to the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God,[208] and which seems to correspond to the actual place of the presence.” quote by G.H. Pember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fc0/g-h-pember-21155_death_at-death-therefore-we-shall-enter-into-t_2737266.jpg)
