What original understandings of resurrections are missing from the World's Christianity?
A major drift in perceptions involved the laying aside of the doctrine of the resurrections from the dead (Identified in Hebrews 6 as one of seven fundamental doctrines of the Church). Paul made clear the essential nature of this doctrine in 1st Corinthians 15:12-20. Some in his day were introducing the idea that the resurrection was not an essential event, and even past (or passé). 2nd Timothy 2:16-18 also makes reference to the theological contaminant of being dismissive of the resurrection. “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17: And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” These two were not referring to the resurrection of Christ, as that event was obviously in the past. If the doubt were of that, Paul would have made reference to the many witnesses to the event. This reference is to the resurrection involving the rest of us. Their error regarded a resurrection of those who are dead in Christ!
The belief system of the early Church was directly dependent upon the attainment unto a resurrection from the dead. No more it seems! (As it’s not regarded as essential to be resurrected in order to go to Heaven!) In fact, how do we integrate the belief system of people ‘going to Heaven’ (or Hell) immediately at their death, with a requirement of a resurrection? What would one facilitate? And, in what form are they to be resurrected? This also was a belief that hadn’t found its way into the early New Testament Church, though it was a common contemporary idea in surrounding ancient societies. (The reader is urged to search the internet with regard to Mithraic and Gnostic beliefs. Mithraism and Gnosticism (Hellenism) was assimilated into even pre-Christian Jewish religion. And where do we think the Islamic terrorists got their ideas about the 72 virgins awaiting them in paradise?)
