From Mr Antony Alexander
Sir, - As one would expect, Canon Robin Ward's article "Jesus
Christ is risen indeed" (Features, 28 March)
reiterates the orthodoxy that "Resurrection is emphatically
something that happens to a body, the body of Jesus in the
tomb."
Such doctrines certainly bear the imprimatur of hoary antiquity,
as he amply illustrated, but are they acceptable to a modern
generation that has spent years studying science and the laws of
nature at school? The fact that churches continue to empty and
close might suggest that they are not.
Indeed, even as Jesus was born of woman on earth and "The Word
became flesh and dwelt among us," many an ordinary would-be
believer has difficulty understanding why Jesus should be exempt
from the natural laws that govern humanity - such as would prevent
a body confirmed dead by expert witnesses, and then pierced by a
spear, from not only coming back to life, but getting up and
walking around within two or three days. Within the real world of
humanity such an occurrence would be deemed incredible.
An alternative interpretation is that the resurrection was
something that took place within the hearts and minds of Jesus's
disciples - even as it has enlightened countless Christians since.
For two or three days, Jesus's few disciples were bereft and
inconsolable. Their beloved Leader had been crucified and was no
more. They then began to realise, however, that the reality of
Christ was spiritual, and that he was still with them in
spirit as much as he had ever been. "Destroy this temple, and
in three days I will raise it up" predicted this dawning
realisation.
Yes, many details in the Gospel accounts seem to suggest that
Jesus came back to life in bodily form, but there is every reason
to suppose that spiritual experiences were intended: e.g. the two
encounters in John 20.19 and 26 describe Jesus appearing to the
disciples through closed doors.
Another common Christian response is that God can do anything,
and doesn't need to take any notice of the natural laws governing
the beings that he created. But why would God create scientific
laws, or reveal his purpose or religion through a Mediator, if he
was then going to intervene in the world directly, and contrary to
his own laws and established means of communication, at the very
time when it really mattered? Such an arrangement would give the
advantage to the ignorant and atheistic (though not adeistic).
Disagreements between both Christian denominations and the
various world faiths invariably centre on material superstitions
that detract from the unifying spiritual reality. As Jesus stated:
"Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered
together."
ANTONY ALEXANDER
Ballayockey Cottage, Regaby
Isle of Man IM7 3HP