Richard Hays, Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, explains the incredible effect Jesus’ resurrection has on theology and practice. His lecture divides into two parts: (1) a proper New Testament understanding of the resurrection requires a robust affirmation of the resurrection of the body and (2) resurrection of the body is a sign of God’s power invading creation and therefore preaching resurrection requires embodying resurrection ethics as well.
I had never seriously thought about (and, therefore, really appreciated) what Professor Hays referred to as “four practices of resurrection” — practical ways in which we can live our lives in light of the reality of the future resurrection of our bodies.
1. Peacemaking
“By accepting suffering we proclaim that our trust lies not in Caesar’s power to protect us from death through military power, but solely in God’s power to raise us up.”
“What would be the effect if the Church everywhere would find ways to put their bodies on the line for the way of peace as a witness to the resurrection?”
2. Sharing possessions
http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/Jitters-on-Wall-Street-today-over-rumors-that-Alan-Greenspan-said-A-ric-New-Yorker-Cartoon-Prints_i8575134_.htm
“The book of Acts portrays the early Church as giving testimony to the resurrection with great power, precisely because they were sharing their possessions in such a way that there was no needy person among them.”
3. Reconciliation at one table (across racial and ethnic lines)
Rwandan Christian massacre — “It’s a disturbing story. But it’s also a compelling witness to the power of the gospel to overcome ethnic division. Paul would have regarded these Rwandan Christians as martyrs, as faithful witnesses to the truth of the gospel. Having been made one in Christ through baptism, they preferred to die rather than to deny the grace of God. And so they died, trusting in the hope of resurrection, trusting that they would finally come to the banquet where all tears are wiped away.”
4. Sabbath keeping
“Carousel” from Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bfRIZ_7CB0
“The Sabbath is a day of liberation. A day that proclaims our freedom from slavery. Only free people can stop working. Slaves have to keep slaving — or face the master’s whip. But we’re free at last. And the Sabbath is a gracious gift from God to symbolize that freedom, and give us a day of rest and pleasure. There’s no word more needful than this for our frantic, crazy, carousel culture.”
“The Sabbath not only looks backward to the seventh day of creation, but also looks forward to the life of the world to come.”