the7ones.comDTS professor misses chance to scripturally refute ‘spiritual resurrection’
by Matt Clifton
With interest I watched Ted Koppel’s follow-up discussion on the “Lost Tomb of Jesus” program that aired on the Discovery Channel Sunday, March 4. Mr. Koppel approached many issues that were left untouched by makers of the film, and it was good to see archaeologists and theologians have an opportunity to refute the impossible claims being made in the documentary.
Although the theory that Jesus’ bones were buried in an ossuary in Jerusalem is a relative impossibility, many people have been somewhat disturbed by the claims. So when I saw a professor from Dallas Theological Seminary appear on Koppel’s program, I thought, “Finally perhaps someone will discuss what the Bible actually says about the manner of Christ’s resurrection!”
Boy, was I wrong. When Dr. Darrell L. Bock of DTS was told by the filmmaker that their “discovery” of Jesus’ ossuary and bone fragments did not refute the resurrection of Christ because Jesus was raised and ascended to heaven as a spirit being, he floundered with a philosophical answer that left viewers thinking Jesus could have been raised spiritually, and still have bones!
While Bock made clear that he believes Jesus was raised physically from the dead, he failed to cite simple passages in scripture that prove Jesus’ resurrected body was physical in nature.
For instance, Bock could have cited Luke 24:39:
“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (ESV)
He could have reminded him how Jesus then ate a piece of fish in their presence, Luke 24:41-43. He could have explained how Jesus urged Thomas to touch His wounds in John 20:27.
Why did these scriptural explanations not come to his mind? Certainly Bock knows these truths from scripture. Perhaps he was nervous. Perhaps the heat of the moment caused him to ramble. The only “scripture” I heard him quote during the entire show was the apocryphal 2 Maccabees. Consequently, viewers only heard what Bock had to say about the bodily resurrection of Christ, and not what God has to say.
Watching Bock flounder before a filmmaker desiring to trample upon Christ should teach us all a valuable lesson: Human philosophies will not defeat those who hate Christianity. An answer from scripture is the only weapon we have that will be effective.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” — 1 Peter 3:14-16.
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