Union with the Resurrected Christ
Eschatological New Creation and New Testament Biblical Theology
About
Southwestern Journal of Theology 2023 Book Award (Biblical Studies)
Union with Christ is an important theological and practical concept that has received considerable attention in recent years. But not much consideration has been given to this union and its benefits in light of Jesus's resurrection and ascension.
In this follow-up to his monumental A New Testament Biblical Theology, G. K. Beale summarizes and expands on that work with an eye to fleshing out the theological implications of the resurrection and ascension. Beale explains that Christ's resurrection and ascension place him as the beginning of the eschatological fulfillment of the new creational kingdom. Specifically, Christ is the fulfillment of a cluster of nineteen Old Testament end-time expectations. These eschatological realities attributed to Christ are imprinted on believers through their dynamic union and identification with him. Through careful exegesis, Beale explores these facets and deliberately draws out important practical applications for everyday Christian living in the overlap of the old creation and the new.
Students of the New Testament will benefit from this important contribution to New Testament theology.
Introduction
Part 1: The Biblical-Theological Storyline Related to Resurrection, New Creation, and Union with Christ
1. The Biblical-Theological Storyline of the Inaugurated End-Time Resurrection and New-Creational Kingdom as a Framework for New Testament Theology, Part 1
2. The Biblical-Theological Storyline of the Inaugurated End-Time Resurrection and New-Creational Kingdom as a Framework for New Testament Theology, Part 2
Part 2: The Reality and Benefits of Fulfillment in Christ's Life, Death, and Especially Resurrection as the Beginning of the Eschatological New-Creational Kingdom
3. The Resurrected Christ as the Last Adam, the Son of God, and True Israel Who Is a Corporate Representative for His People, So That They Gain Adamic Sonship and Become True Israel
4. The Resurrected Christ as a Corporate Representative for the Believer as the Temple
5. The Resurrected Christ as a Corporate Representative for the Believer as True Israel
6. The Resurrected Christ as a Corporate Representative for the Believer as Wisdom, Righteousness (Justification), Sanctification, and Redemption
7. The Resurrected Christ as a Corporate Representative for the Believer as a King-Priest Who Endures through Tribulation
8. The Resurrected Christ as a Corporate Representative for the Believer as a Mission-Oriented Returnee from Exile
9. Christ and the Spirit: The Resurrected Christ's Identification with the Spirit as a Corporate Representative for the Believer's Spirit-Resurrected Existence
10. Christ and the Spirit: The Spirit's Work of Bringing People into Union with Christ
11. The Resurrected Christ's Achievement of Righteousness and the Believers' Identification with That Righteousness, Part 1
12. The Resurrected Christ's Achievement of Righteousness and the Believers' Identification with That Righteousness, Part 2
13. The Resurrected Christ's Glory and the Believers' Identification with That Glory, Part 1
14. The Resurrected Christ's Glory and the Believers' Identification with That Glory, Part 2: 2 Peter
15. The Believers' Sartorial Identification with the Resurrected Christ's Image and Definitive Separation from the World
16. The Believers' Identification with Christ's Resurrected New Life and Their Regeneration
17. The Believers' Identification with Christ's Resurrected New Life
Conclusion
Indexes
Endorsements
"This volume captures Beale at his best. He creatively draws connections between texts across the canon to craft an attractive biblical-theological picture of God's revelation in Scripture. His focus on resurrection brings an emphasis much needed in today's theological landscape."
Douglas Moo, Wheaton College
"This volume represents the matured culmination of much of Beale's decades-long biblical-theological work. Impressive for its comprehensive scope and penetrating insights, it focuses on the climactic centrality of the resurrection and ascension of Christ in the history of redemption and the inseparable and multifaceted saving benefits flowing from union with Christ specifically as resurrected. It is fairly read as providing, as he says, a virtual 'encyclopedia' of that union. A valuable feature is the frequent 'application' sections throughout. Truly a magnum opus, I commend its careful reading and study."
Richard B. Gaffin Jr., professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
"G. K. Beale contributes yet another study that would constitute a magnum opus for most authors--but which for him just adds to a substantial list of groundbreaking publications. Beale approaches union with Christ from fresh angles and with comprehensive breadth, exegetical rigor, and dozens of practical applications. I am not aware of another book that demonstrates so sweepingly the relevance of Christ's resurrection and ascension to believers' union with him in its rich benefits and inexhaustible glories."
Robert W. Yarbrough, Covenant Theological Seminary
"For years now, biblical scholars have stressed the participatory features in the New Testament authors' understanding of salvation and the Christian life. Building on his biblical theology tome, Beale pulls together the rich diversity of the New Testament to identify the central theme: believers become united with, participate in, identify with, and are incorporated into Christ in his resurrection even as they strive to live consistently with that reality. We fully share in what is his. Ultimately, coursing through the pages of Beale's study is a sense of the victory that Christ's own share in the new creation and the Spirit--a timely and powerful message."
A. Andrew Das, Niebuhr Distinguished Chair and Professor of Religious Studies, Elmhurst University
The Author
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G. K. Beale
G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He has served as president and as a member of the executive committee of the Evangelical Theological Society....
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Southwestern Journal of Theology 2023 Book Award (Biblical Studies)