First I must say that I appreciate the depth of knowledge that is displayed on this board at times. It is helpful to me, as I like to continually check my beliefs, to make sure that they are not based on any lingering residue of JWism.
I used the words in 1 Corinthians 15 to speak of Jesus resurrected body, because I believe that the resurrected body of Jesus and his followers will be very similar. Paul, in this chapter, calls Jesus the "firstfruits". How do firstfruits differ from the rest of the crop, except that they were harvested first? My reading of Galatians 3:21 gives me the same impression. Jesus will change or transform our lowly body, the body of our humiliation, to be like his glorious body. I feel that our resurrected body will be essentially the same in it's composition as that of Jesus.
Using Paul to prove physical resurrection is controversial. From the first century, gnostics used Paul to prove that Jesus was not really physical, before or after his resurrection. Mainline Christians used the same verses to prove the opposite. But, in the late first and through out the second century, Christians such as Clement, Ignatius, Justin, Ireneus and Tertullian clearly taught Paul's words as meaning a physical body.
It is true that the Gospel writers wrote from 40 to 70 years after the fact. But, I believe that there are good indications that they recorded very early oral traditions that started immediately after the resurrection. Here are a few of my reasons.
1. Gospel accounts say that women were the first witnesses at the empty tomb and to see Jesus. This was a time period when women were considered dubious witnesses, not even allowed to testify in court. If the stories were a later invention, wouldn't more reliable witnesses be chosen?
2. The appearance accounts contain no scriptural fulfillments. This is strikingly different from the rest of the gospel accounts. Everything from place of birth to riding into Jerusalem on a donkey was pointed out to fulfill a Hebrew Bible prophecy. This indicates to me that the stories spread before there was time to re-examine the Scriptures in the light of the recent event.
3.No mention of human salvation. Jesus is resurrected, we saw him, we touched him, we ate with him and he told us to go witness to the world. Actual reports of what happen. The stories spread before there was time to reflect on the significance, as Paul later does. Peter does also.
4. The bewilderment in describing Jesus body. It could be seen, felt, it could eat, it had scars, it could go through locked doors, it could ascend. Just the events that could be seen, felt, or heard. The stories spread early, before time for theological reflection as later done by Paul.
For these reasons, I accept the the Gospel accounts of Jesus resurrection and appearances to be reflections of the stories that were told by the very early Christians.
Once again, my friends, I appreciate your input. I count it as a contribution to my spiritual growth.
