What is Resurrection? by Joel Beeke is one of the booklets of the “Basics of the Faith Series” put out by P&R. I wanted to read this because this work because I appreciate Dr. Beeke’s ministry and writings, and there are people in my congregation who have expressed doubt and rejection of our physical resurrection on the last day. I provide good resources for our people to take and read.
Beeke begins by looking at the problems the Corinthians were dealing with regarding resurrection – whether those who died before Christ’s return would be raised. Also, the issue of whether the resurrection will be physical or merely spiritual.
Beeke follows Paul argument that all believers will be raised in their physical bodies, transformed to be like Christ’s – sinless and immortal.
Beeke writes “The resurrection of Christ is not just the objective cornerstone of our salvation, it is also the subjective hope of our conscience” (13). In this, we find hope and assurance in Christ when we sin and repent.
The body we will have in resurrection will be both a physical body and one “suited to the environment of Heaven” (19). And I wonder, does Dr. Beeke mean we will live in Heaven where God lives? Or, does he mean the Kingdom of Heaven? And if so, does he mean, as I understand it, that when Jesus returns, the world will be restored, we – believers – will be changed, the “New Jerusalem” will come to earth from Heaven, and we will live with Jesus on earth eternally?
He concludes by looking to Calvin who says that our belief that all good comes from God, our lusts should be restrained, we are stewards of all God has given us, and God has called us to His service (29).
This is a very good, short, readable work on our resurrection, and I did buy copies for the church. Dr. Beeke presents the most relevant Scriptures and explains them well for a lay audience. Still, I wish the times he talks about Heaven were clearer.
Dr. Beeke has just released the first volume of his systematics – I look forward to finding out what he has to say.
[This review appears on my blog and on Amazon.com.]
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