Now we've come to the greatest event in human history - the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! Athanasius has proven that Christ's death was visible for all men to witness, so that His Resurrection will be recognized as an astounding fact. Christ could have risen immediately after dying, Athanasius writes, but then some people would say that He didn't actually die. Or could He have waited several days before rising from death? No, because then His body would suffer corruption and decay, contrary to biblia02/nz05/Deania02.htm#25" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Acts 2:25-27.

Question:
1. Match these terms with the definitions below:

1.1. Christ could have raised His body directly after death, but...
A. then the glory of His incorruption might not have appeared,
B. then the people might have forgotten or thought that it wasn't the same body,
C. then some might deny that it had really or completely died,
D. then He showed to all that His body was incorrupt and did not decay.

1.2. He could have remained in the grave just two days, but...
A. then the glory of His incorruption might not have appeared,
B. then the people might have forgotten or thought that it wasn't the same body,
C. then some might deny that it had really or completely died,
D. then He showed to all that His body was incorrupt and did not decay.

1.3. He waited one more day, until the third day, because...
A. then the glory of His incorruption might not have appeared,
B. then the people might have forgotten or thought that it wasn't the same body,
C. then some might deny that it had really or completely died,
D. then He showed to all that His body was incorrupt and did not decay.

1.4. He did not wait any longer than three days, because...
A. then the glory of His incorruption might not have appeared,
B. then the people might have forgotten or thought that it wasn't the same body,
C. then some might deny that it had really or completely died,
D. then He showed to all that His body was incorrupt and did not decay.

 



In the next paragraph (27) A very strong proof of this destruction of death... St. Athanasius tells us about the significance of Christ's death and resurrection for us as believers: no longer do we fear death, in fact, "disciples of Christ despise death" - an amazing thing, considering that most people are afraid of death and mourn deeply when others die. But now that biblia02/nz04/Ioann10.htm#17" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">the Savior has raised His own body from the dead (John 10:17-18), we Christians no longer need to be terrified by death. In fact, over the centuries, millions of Christians have willingly gone to their deaths rather than deny their faith in Christ because we know that physical death is not extinction but merely the entrance into an incorruptible, eternal life.

Question:
2. Death has become like...
(One or more of the following answers may be correct.)
a) a legitimate monarch tied hand and foot.
b) a tyrant bound hand and foot.
c) one conquered and shown for what it is.
d) those who deride and trample on Christians.

 



Is this a weak argument for the Resurrection? In paragraph "(28) Is this a slender proof..." Athanasius writes that the fear of death is natural, just as the reality of fire is to consume objects. But, he writes, there is a substance he calls "Indian asbestos" that repels fire. If a person wrapped himself in asbestos, the fire would be impotent for him. In the same way, if we are clothed in Christ, death has no power over us. Or as He mentioned earlier, if you want to see for yourself that a former tyrant's power has been destroyed, simply go into the kingdom of the former tyrant, now controlled by its conqueror. The Church is that territory, the Kingdom of God.

Question:
3. How can we overcome any doubts about the conquest of death?
(One or more of the following answers may be correct.)
a) Be obstinate in unbelief and disregard the plain facts.
b) Consider the many millions of martyrs who have scorned death.
c) Put on Christ, like the man who proved the power of asbestos to resist fire.
d) Enter the conqueror's dominions to see how the tyrant has been bound.

 



Some people have surmised that the death of Christ on the cross is sufficient to pay the penalty of our sins and grant us eternal life, so why did He need to be resurrected? But what's the problem with this idea? In paragraph "(30) What we have said is, indeed, no small proof..." Athanasius indeed writes that the cross of our Lord is the monument to His victory over death. If all we knew about Christ was His miraculous birth, His teachings, His miracles, and His death on the cross, why would we believe that He paid the penalty for our sins? We need His Resurrection for that! The Resurrection proves that He has in fact trampled down death by death, He has overcome the power of death in our lives! As Athanasius writes, "Death having been slain by Him, then, what other issue could there be than the resurrection of His body and its open demonstration as the monument of His victory?"

Question:
4. What is the proof of Christ's victory over death?
(Select the best answer.)
a) Dead men can take effective action after death.
b) Every day the Savior works mightily, persuading millions of people.
c) The Savior is only working in Greek-speaking Orthodox nations.

 



Next, Athanasius emphasizes the spiritual nature of the universe, which is more real than material reality! In paragraph "(31) In a word, then, those who disbelieve in the resurrection..." he writes - "gods and evil spirits do not drive away the supposedly dead Christ." Instead, He is the One Who has turned the tables: He convicts those gods and evil spirits of being dead! They are powerless and doomed to eternal death, no longer able to hold mankind captive when we believe in and follow Christ. Obviously, in Athanasius' day, many people believed in gods and evil spirits, but in our day the devil has succeeded in deceiving most people that he doesn't exist, that gods and evil spirits aren't real, that the material universe is all there is. This is called secularist materialism.

A bit further on, Athanasius writes - "The Son of God, 'living and effective,' is active every day and effects the salvation of all" - referring to biblia02/nz26/Evream04.htm#12" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Hebrews 4:12. Protestants often use this verse as a proof text for the importance of reading the Bible. Note that the Bible text has "the Word of God" but Athanasius understood it to mean "The Son of God." He is correct: verse 13 states - "There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do." The Bible does not have sight or eyes. This "his" and "him" is none other than the living Word of God, Jesus, Who became flesh (incarnate) and dwelled among us! Now, keep on reading Athanasius:

Question:
5. Who or what does Athanasius have in mind when he uses the expression "the Word and Wisdom of God"?

 



To conclude, look at paragraph "(32) It is, indeed, in accordance with the nature...." God reveals Himself through His works: this is the proof of Christ's divinity and His Resurrection, even if people do not rationally understand the existence of God. We can't look directly at the sun, nor can a blind man even see the sun. But we can feel its works, its warmth on our skin.

Question:
6. How can those still in the blindness of unbelief recognize Christ's divinity and resurrection?
(One or more of the following answers may be correct.)
a) Through His power manifested in believers.
b) By the expelling of evil spirits and despoiling of idols.
c) Because evil spirits flee from Him and fall at His feet.
d) Because believers lie, cheat, steal, and commit fornication.

 

That's it for today! See you in the next lesson!