Session 7: Eschatology

Resurrection: A Historical Perspective

The concept of resurrection has been a subject of philosophical and religious contemplation throughout history. Different thinkers have proposed various theories on what they believe constitutes resurrection and how it might occur. In this article, we will explore the views of three notable figures from different periods of history: Origen, Irenaeus, and Augustine.

Origen's Views

Origen (AD 185–254) was one of the earliest Christian theologians and perhaps the most influential of all Greek Fathers of the Church. He was known for his allegorical understanding of Scripture. Regarding the nature of resurrection, Origen held a view that is consistent with Platonic philosophy. For him, the soul was considered the true self, while the physical body was merely an instrument used by the soul during its earthly existence. He believed that, upon death, the soul would return to heaven and reunite with God, leaving the body behind as an empty shell. This view was shared among early Gnostic Christians and is sometimes referred to as "theory of spiritual resurrection" or "disembodied immortality" theory. In Origen's understanding, physical bodies were inherently evil, and therefore, the goal of God was not to restore these bodies but rather to transform souls into beings of pure light.

Irenaeus' Views

Irenaeus (c. AD 130 – c. 200) was a Christian apologist who became bishop of Lyons around AD 178. He was known for his role in defining orthodoxy against various heresies, including Gnosticism, which held views similar to those of Origen. In contrast to Origen, Irenaeus upheld a very strong belief in the reality of the resurrected body. According to him, the risen body would be transformed but still recognizable as the same body that had died. This transformation took place between death and the resurrection itself. For Irenaeus, the purpose of the resurrection was to provide a means for believers to overcome death and experience eternal life while maintaining their individual identities.

Augustine's Views

Augustine (AD 354–430), often called the most influential theologian in the history of Western Christianity after Paul, presented a more intermediate position between the views of Origen and Irenaeus. Like Irenaeus, he believed in the reality of the bodily resurrection and its importance for salvation. Unlike Irenaeus, however, Augustine did not think that the body could remain wholly intact at the resurrection, since it must pass through corruption and decay before being raised. Instead, Augustine suggested that the body would rise as something like a seed grows into a tree from a tiny kernel. Essentially, he posited that the resurrection would involve the restoration of some kind of organic unity, although not necessarily one identical to the original earthly body.

In conclusion, the concept of resurrection has been interpreted differently throughout history. Origen proposed a view where the soul returns to heaven after death, while Augustine held a more intermediate position between the reality of bodily resurrection like Irenaeus and the transformation of souls into beings of pure light as suggested by Origen. These theories reflect the diversity of thinking within the Christian tradition and highlight the ongoing exploration of religious and philosophical questions related to the nature of existence, the self, and the afterlife.