In our Sunday Seminar, “Under Deconstruction,” we glanced at 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul makes a sustained, vigorous case for the resurrection—both the historical event of Jesus’ resurrection, and the future resurrection of all “who belong to Christ” (v 23).
Jesus rising from the dead amounted to “firstfruits” (vv 20, 23)—like that first ear of grain to ripen guaranteeing a soon-to-follow full harvest. And a key concern is to spotlight the unbreakable link between firstfruits and future crop: the latter is as sure as the former! And the historicity of the former was attested by massive eyewitness support: the risen Christ appeared to Peter, the other disciples, and also to more than 500 believers at one time, “most of whom are still alive” (v 6). Got questions? Go talk to them!
Why does Paul drive this point home so strongly? Because some voices in the church at Corinth were saying that “there is no resurrection from the dead” (v 12). To be sure, it looks like they did accept that Jesus had been raised (v 11), but they denied that any future resurrection was to be expected for Christ-followers.
This denial of gospel hope causes Paul to go ballistic: “If the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (vv 16-19). Take note: “perish” and “pity.” Any hope of life beyond the grave dissolves if our future is not governed by Jesus’ past resurrection.
What does this have to do with deconstruction? Paul considers our hope of life beyond the grave: • well-grounded in historical, verifiable events; • coherent (note the linkage between Jesus’ resurrection and our future resurrection); • and utterly pivotal. In other words, our faith has a firm foundation able to withstand any pressures toward deconstruction. Rest assured!
