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Introduction Excerpt from The Apocalyptic Resurrection of Jesus by E. Lee Stoffel Concerning the last week in the life of Jesus, the Gospel writers give us a rich variety of material. There are various encounters, incidents, and teachings of Jesus as he confronted his enemies or instructed his disciples. The events surrounding the arrest, trial, and crucifixion follow straightforward. The events of Palm Sunday are dramatic, and the pictures given appear to conform to the historicity of Palm Sunday. When we come to the resurrection, however, both the language and the manner of presentation change. All agree that the tomb was empty, but after that the accounts vary. For example, Mark gives no resurrection appearances, while the other Gospels do, and the accounts of those appearances vary from one Gospel to another. Obvious in accounts of the resurrection are the different kinds of language and imagery used. For example, in Matthew an angel speaks to the women who have come to the tomb, announcing that Jesus has risen. There are earthquakes, graves being opened, and the dead walking in the streets of Jerusalem. Also in Matthew an angel rolls away the stone from the door of the tomb. In short, it appears that the language and imagery used to witness to the resurrection can be seen as a distinct language and unique form of remembering and witnessing. This kind of language is found in the Gospels, the writings of Paul, and notably in the book of Revelation and is generally known as apocalyptic language. The evidence of apocalyptic language is nothing new. It was known and used at the time of Jesus. However, paying more attention to this apocalyptic language and imagery when it occurs throws a special light on how the first community or communities may have understood and witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus. If the Gospel writers were reflecting the oral witness of the early community concerning the resurrection of Jesus, a strong part of that witness was either given to them in apocalyptic language and thought, or else they used apocalyptic language to interpret and reflect the witness they received. It was more probably given to them, since most Christian communities after 70 CE were not too enthusiastic about apocalyptic end-of-the-world imagery. More likely, the language was a part of the oral traditions they used, and what we have are tantalizing fragments of apocalyptic witness. If this is so, then the early communities of faith viewed the resurrection of Jesus in terms of apocalyptic thought, especially since they expected the imminent return of Jesus. |
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