Essay 3

Religion

Each of the variations of Christianity presents significant beliefs about the concept eternal life. Following death, Christians honor the idea of heavenly life, and spiritual immortality in the kingdom of God. The weight of the Christian attitude toward death, and the importance of its promises, is validated by the reality of Christ's resurrection (Kramer: 142). There are three main perspectives regarding the resurrection of Jesus: Christ's physical body was resuscitated; the resurrection occurred only in the imagination or faith of those closest to Jesus; or thirdly, the resurrection of Jesus is a spiritual mystery that the human mind is unable to comprehend (Kramer: 143-4). The third perspective on resurrection is based on the earliest testimony presented by the apostle, Paul. Paul's point-of-view supports the transformation of the earthly body into a spiritual body that is too complex for the human mind to understand. According to Paul, the resurrection of Jesus liberates Christian followers from death as one's old self dies, but is replaced by a new immortal self, formed in the image of the Creator (Kramer: 148). My point-of-view on what Paul says is once a believer in Christ dies, who they are does not exist anymore. Therefore, it is not "you" that goes to the kingdom of God, it is only an impression of you and an extension of Jesus Christ. I agree with Paul's claim that resurrection is beyond human understand, but I also believe there is a psychological piece to faith. Paul's point-of-view on the resurrection of Jesus offers insight into the spiritual elements of liberation from death.

The followers of Jesus understood the resurrection as proof of the possibility and guarantee that followers would also be restored to life after death (Chidester: 172). The third main perspectives regarding the resurrection of Jesus is best described by the apostle Paul, who explains the resurrection as a spiritual journey. Paul believes when one dies, they are to accept death and "empty themselves of self and take on Christ" (Kramer: 148). Dying is the ultimate acceptance of Christ, and a new self is created in the likeness of the Creator. Paul believed that Jesus was raised from the dead, and this was proof of resurrection and liberation from death. Paul understood death as an enemy, a product of evil, and the consequence of an original human sin (Chidester: 173). Paul supported his ideals by explaining Adam and Eve were originally immortal but eventually died because of their disobedience. All human beings were meant to suffer death to pay for the original sin, until all followers were redeemed and "resurrected" by Christ.

According to Paul, followers of Jesus were liberated from death because the resurrection was proof of redemption, and symbolizes the freedom from evil (death) as Jesus was able to defeat the evil forces of death. Paul explained Christians were prepared to face evil because of teachings of faith, hope, love, and because of Christian rituals that symbolize death (Chidester: 173). For example, baptism represents the ritual initiation into the Christian faith that signifies death and rebirth. The baptism practice mimics the Christian experience of death and rebirth, as one releases their old self and accepts a new self in the image of Christ. This is the point-of-view Paul supports, and baptism is a ritual rehearsal for death and a new life in the resurrection (Chidester: 173). Christians are able to share in the death of Jesus by way of baptism, and Christians will also share in Jesus' resurrection as the resurrection proved the restoration of life after death. The redemptive sacrifice Jesus made was with his physical body, and Paul explained his resurrection was not physical, but a heavenly, immortal, glorified body. Christians are liberated from death because death no longer marks an ending, but a beginning for an immortal existence in the kingdom of God.

My point-of-view on Paul's perspective is once a believer in Christ dies, that person no longer exists but rather lives again in the kingdom of God in the likeness of Christ. Jesus distinguishes himself both as one who has the power to bring one back to life, and as the power of resurrection itself. Christian followers are liberated by death as they are spiritually resurrected in the image of Jesus. Paul's perspective explained the resurrection of Christ was not to be understood in physiological terms, but in terms of personality, and encompasses one's entire personal reality and earthly history (Kramer: 144). I agreed with Paul's perspective that the resurrection of Jesus is spiritual and cannot be fully understood by the human mind. I also believe that following death, Christians will not experience a physical rebirth, but expect to live an immortal, spiritual life in heaven. Paul's perspective encourages rebirth as a spiritual phenomenon. I think this belief closely ties with the second view of the resurrection, which is the resurrection occurred only in the imagination or faith of those closest to Jesus. Paul believes the resurrection of Jesus is spiritual, and liberates Christians from death by promising an immortal life in the likeness of Jesus. I feel there is a strong psychological element to this belief that can be explained as faith and the hope for death to not be the end of existence. Paul's point-of-view explains death is not an ending, but the beginning of immortal life. I agree with Paul's point-of-view because it seems more reasonable (versus a physical rebirth), however there is a psychological influence that is having the faith death will bring a heavenly, immortal life.