Naked Bible 95: David Burnett – Resurrection and the Death of the Gods
Apr 9, 2016
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David Burnett discusses the connection between celestial vs earthly bodies in 1 Cor 15, drawing on OT passages about the divine council. This deep dive into resurrection texts will change your perspective on Paul's theology.
Paul connects resurrection with cosmic judgment over gods, emphasizing Christ's victory and transformative power.
By weaving prophecies and psalms, Paul establishes the resurrection as a transformative event central to God's kingdom.
The resurrection signifies believers' participation in Christ's victorious reign over all adversaries, echoing the defeat of death.
Paul highlights the eschatological significance of Christ's resurrection and believers' celestial transformation akin to the stars.
Interpreting Psalm 82 as an eschatological event, the podcast discusses Christ's victory over powers and believers' role in the triumph.
Deep dives
The Connection between Resurrection and the Deuteronomy 4 Narrative
Paul delves into the significance of the resurrection by drawing a parallel between the event and the judgment over the gods. He emphasizes the transformative power of the resurrection by contrasting Adam's introduction of death with Christ's provision of life. The narrative highlights Christ's triumph over death and his role in bringing about life for all. Through meticulous analogy, Paul conveys the concept of the resurrection as a turning point where all are ultimately made alive in Christ.
Significance of Christ's Victory and Judgment in the Narrative
Paul further elaborates on the narrative by emphasizing Christ's victory over all rule and authority, culminating in the destruction of every enemy, with death being the final adversary to be conquered. Drawing upon Psalm 110 and other texts, he underscores Christ's reign and the restoration of order through the subjugation of all adversaries under his feet. This portrayal solidifies the eschatological vision of Christ's sovereignty and ultimate conquest.
The Eschatological Inauguration of the Kingdom and the Role of Believers
Paul interweaves the theme of Christ's reign until all adversaries are subdued, heralding an eschatological inauguration of the kingdom. This portrayal aligns with the imagery of believers being partakers in Christ's victory, signifying a transition from present to future fulfillment of God's plan. The narrative underscores the collaborative role of believers in the establishment of God's kingdom over all powers.
The Interplay Between Resurrection, Judgment, and Divine Conquest
The interconnected narrative delves into the interplay between resurrection, divine judgment, and the ultimate conquest over adversaries, emphasizing the overarching theme of Christ's victory and restoration of order. By infusing various psalms and texts such as Psalm 82 and 110, Paul establishes a coherent theological framework that elevates the resurrection as a pivotal event linked to the judgment and victorious reign of Christ.
The Ongoing Role of Christ and Believers in the Eschatological Narrative
As the narrative unfolds, Paul highlights Christ's continued reign until the culmination of victory over all enemies, with believers being an integral part of this eschatological journey. The portrayal of Christ's authority and the believers' participation in his conquest amplifies the significance of the resurrection as a transformative event, marking the defeat of death and the establishment of God's kingdom.
The Prophetic Significance of Christ's Rule and the Resurrection Event
Paul intricately weaves together prophecies, psalms, and historic narratives to underscore the prophetic significance of Christ's rule and the resurrection event. The narrative unfolds a robust eschatological framework centered on Christ's victory, divine judgment, and believers' pivotal role in the establishment of God's kingdom. By drawing on various Old Testament texts, Paul illuminates the transformative power and redemptive nature of the resurrection within the broader scope of God's ultimate plan for restoration and sovereignty.
Eschatological Event of Redeemer Figure
The podcast delves into how Psalm 82 is interpreted as an eschatological event, focusing on a redeemer figure delivering people from powers and evil spirits, drawing connections to Christ's resurrection and the defeat of rulers and powers.
Cosmic Warfare and Resurrection Body
Discussions explore the cosmic warfare context of Christ's resurrection, linking it to the defeat of powers and the joining of believers in this victory. Paul's explanation of the nature of the resurrection body as a transformation from perishable earthly forms to imperishable glory aligns with a New Exodus narrative.
Abrahamic Promise and Adam's Metaphor
The narrative shifts to the Abrahamic promise and the metaphor of Adam, emphasizing how believers are united to the new Adam and destined to become celestial beings. This ties back to the promise to Abraham of becoming like the stars, signaling a cosmic transformation and the defeat of powers in a restored Edenic order.
This episode invites David Burnett back to the podcast for a discussion of his research on 1 Cor 15:35-50. In an earlier episode on this chapter, we talked about the meaning of Paul’s phrase “the spiritual body.” This time around, David draws our attention to the listing of “bodies” (celestial vs. earthly) in vv. 35-41 and asks: (1) what part of the OT is Paul drawing on for this list and (2) why would Paul bother to bring up this list in a discussion of the resurrection. The answers will blow your mind, as the listing derives from, and connects into, a number of well-known divine council passages. Once you hear David’s explanation of the most important text on the resurrection in the entire New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15, you will never read it the same way again. If you’ve ever wondered how the divine council worldview relates to New Testament theology, this is an episode for you.
To invite David to speak at your church, conference, or event email him at dburnett51@yahoo.com or on Facebook here.
