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The Controversy Over Christ’s Resurrection: Historical Event or Symbol?

Explore the debate over Christ's resurrection as a historical event or symbol in early Christianity. Orthodox versus Gnostic views, authority implications, mysterious teachings of Jesus, varying revelations, and the question of what is right. Dive into the complex layers of belief and interpretation.

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The Controversy Over Christ’s Resurrection: Historical Event or Symbol?

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  1. The Controversy Over Christ’s Resurrection: Historical Event or Symbol? RELS 3300: Early Christianity Monday, April 10 2017

  2. Does it Matter? What is at Stake? “ The conviction that a man who died came back to life is, or course, a paradox. But that paradox may contain the secret of its powerful appeal, for while it contradicts our own historical experience, it speaks the language of human emotions. It addresses itself to that which may be our deepest fear, and, expresses our longing to overcome death.”

  3. The Resurrection: Orthodox vs. Gnostic • Gnostic • Not physical, but spiritual • Not historical, but exemplary of what is possible • Dreams, visions • Gospel of Mary • Orthodox • Physical, bodily resurrection • Contradicting versions in the New Testament • Based on apostolic claims- primarily Peter

  4. Pagels’ Assertion • Doctrine of bodily resurrection does political work. • Used to validate the apostolic succession of bishops, to modern day. • Legitimizes exclusive leadership over the orthodox church.

  5. Appearances of Jesus + Authority • Luke • Appearance to Peter and other apostles take precedence. • Peter as the leader of the church. • Authority becomes restricted. • Only a select few can lead AND make choices for further leadership.

  6. Gnostic Understanding of Resurrection • Orthodox view as“faith of fools” • Not a literal but a spiritual experience. • Disciples misunderstood the nature of what was happening. • Revelations, visions, dreams. • Encountering Jesus in the present.

  7. An Example: Gospel of Mary • Peter= orthodox view • Mary= gnostic view • Claims to authority? • Political challenge to orthodoxy

  8. The Mysterious Knowledge of Jesus • Jesus spoke in parables to general population to intentionally obscure or give partial truth. • Disciples were given secret teachings from Jesus to pass on to the spiritually mature. • Examples: Matt. And Paul

  9. Jesus, as He Appears in the Gnostic Gospels • Not biographical; experiential. • Not physically human; varied manifestations. “each person recognizes the Lord in his own way, not all alike.”

  10. Differences in Revelations • Orthodox • Confirms faith and doctrine • Sets boundaries • Traced back to apostles • Gnostic • Expands faith • Traced to others outside the apostles- ex. Mary

  11. So, Which One is Right? • Irenaeus • Four Gospels • Written by disciples/followers • Scholars disagree on authorship • Gnostics • Acknowledge creative nature • Elaboration, not repetition • Art- is art ever wrong?

  12. The Controversy Over Christ’s Resurrection • What do you think of Pagels’ argument? • Was resurrection a political issue? • Human vs. Divine? • True vs. Historically accurate?

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