Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The grief process in different cultural and religions views




This is the final paper I received an A for. I think that it would be helpful for some so I am posting it. Warning it is long.



The grief process in different cultural and religions views

Com220

Carlos Shelton

Axia College



Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying that the only sure thing in life is death and taxes. Though some may debate if all people have to pay taxes, there is no debate that death is a certainty in life. The mystery of death has fascinated people throughout history, and it is this mystery that has a profound effect on people of all cultures and religions. There are many views on what happens when one dies and this may have an effect on how people who lose someone to death deal with his or her loss. The development of grief counseling has presented an excellent tool for those who face the loss of a loved one. The understanding of the Grief Process Model helps many understand how to deal with their own emotions and even physical responses to their loss. There have been many incredible minds that have done much more research into the topic of grief and in no way will this essay be able to go into the depth of research that has been done. There is no desire to undermine the tool of the Grief Process Model as one can greatly benefit from using it in the time of loss. In part this essay will be educational, though I also hope to help expand the idea that the Grieving Process Model may not be universal to all cultures and religious views. While the Grief Process Model is helpful to Western and European cultures, the grieving process may not be universal to other cultures and religious views. If the Grief Process Model is not universal to all cultures and religious views, then there may be need to understand those other cultures and religious views to modify the Grief Process Model to better help those in other cultures and religious views.

The book “On Death and Dying’ written by Swiss doctor Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, was published in 1970 was first to develop the phrase “the grief process”. Dr. Kübler-Ross became concerned how those dying were “shunned” (2009) by doctors who were not willing to deal with the emotional issues of those who were dying. Dr. Kübler-Ross wrote her book in respond to this unkindness she witnessed. In the next few years Dr. Kübler-Ross began to notice that the grief cycle was not experienced only by those terminally ill, but also by those that lost loved ones due to death. Since then the grief process has been developed from five steps to 10. The most commonly used process is the five step grief process based on the seven step model that Dr. Kübler-Ross first developed.

The five step grief process model is fairly simple to understand. Grief as defined by the Oxford dictionary means “a great sadness caused by trouble or loss and a heavy sorrow.” (1989) In this simplified version the five steps are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Grief can also be understood as a type of adaptation (Worden, 2009) to the loss of a loved one due to death. The living must find a way to come to terms with the death of a loved one whether the way is healthy or not. By recognizing the different emotional stages, one can better adapt in healthy ways.


Graph 1: The most commonly used form of the grieving process is the five step process. Though they do tend toward this progression, one may also regress or skip a step.



Dr. Kübler-Ross believed that a person passes through each phase as he or she deals with the emotions of dying or losing a loved one to death. Without passing through the phases one may not fully come to healthy terms with his or her loss.

The first stage is denial. There is a sense of unbelief that one faces when he or she first is given the news they are terminally ill, or that the person they love is dying or has died. Denial is simply rejecting the idea that death is happening or happened. This stage can be summed up in the phrase of “This can’t be happening.” There is a sense of numbness or shock that comes across a person and he or she may not accept the idea as reality.

The second stage is anger. Some can become angry at God, the person the grieving person lost, the medical staff or even themselves. In this stage the reality has sunk in, yet the mind seeks out a reason. “Why is this happening?” or “Why did this happen?” may by the common question that is asked.

The third stage is bargaining. Most often this is a reflection on one’s personal beliefs. The grieving person may turn to God or the universe and try to bargain their way out of the loss. “If you heal them I will…” is a common expression.

The Fourth stage is depression. In this phase one may become withdrawn and not want interaction with others. The person grieving will as, “Is life worth living?” and begin to feel the actual loss of the loved one.

The fifth stage is acceptance. In this stage the person has worked through the other stages and has come to terms with their loss. They have accepted the loss as part of their reality and begin to seek out a ‘normal” life again.

One may experience these stages in order or skip over one to another. They may also work through one stage and move to the next and still relapse into a stage he or she previously have gone through. The idea is that one works through each stage in a healthy way and recognizes each emotion as it comes. As one does this is becomes easier to understand why one is so angry or depressed.

Dr. Kübler-Ross was not without her critics. In 1980 Dr. Shniedman and in 1991 Dr. Kastenbuam cited that the research done by Dr. Kübler-Ross did not go far enough and that it was based on clinical impressions and not on empirical data. Shniedman and Kastenbuam also noted that there was suggestion that because Dr. Kübler-Ross was a psychologist, she portrayed the grieving process as a “mental illness” while they contended that it was a biological defense mechanism. (2009). With this in mind the discussion of the 10 step grief process is now appropriate.

The same steps in the five steps are present yet in more detailed:
Graph 2: The 10 step grieving process.






The first stage is Denial which as stated, one will experience shock or numbness.

The second stage is Release which can be expressed with sadness, crying and feeling the reality of the loss.

The third stage is Depression. In this stage there is a sense of loneliness, helplessness and the question of “Why did this happen?”

The fourth stage is Physical symptoms. One will begin to feel fatigued, weak, may experience the physical pain that the dying experiences and insomnia.

The fifth stage is Pain. In this stage one may experience anxiety, fear, develop an illness phobia, become over sensitive to physical illness and preoccupied with health.

The sixth stage is Guilt. Often the person grieving will feel he or she did not do enough for the loved one or say everything they should have while the deceased was still alive.

The seventh stage is Anger. One may experience the impulse to blame others. They may also have hostility toward others though most commonly toward the caregivers.

The eighth stage is withdrawal. In this stage one may experience the loss of interest in daily things and develop a fear of losing control in public.

The ninth stage is Recovery. One will begin to re-adjust to the idea that their loved one has died or is dying. In this there is a release or letting go of the burden of grief.

The tenth stage is Acceptance and peace of mind. A person in this stage has come to terms with his or her loss. They have accepted it and now have peace of mind. (Sahley, 2007, January)

The effectiveness of the grieving process model depends on each person and how one is able to work through each stage. Attitudes about death can have an effect on how a person works through the process. Unfortunately, in western culture there is a “taboo” attached to the topic of death. Seeing death as unnatural or something people just do not discuss may interfere with how people are able to work through each stage. In the USA there seems to be either the glorification of death and violence or the hush that it is only to be spoken about if necessary. Understanding that death is part of life and to view it as part of the life cycle can help one have a healthy understanding of death

Only 100 years ago, it was common that when a person was dying to have his or her family would be present. People would also care for the body themselves and prepare the deceased for burial. Women would dress the deceased in their favorite clothes and care for the body by washing and grooming the deceased as they did when they were still alive. Now people are often not willing to touch a well made up body in a mortuary out of fear. (Wilson, 2009)

People also tend toward dying in hospitals which are often a sterile and impersonal environment. Now we place the body in morgues, have someone else prepare the body or have it cremated and from there it is taken to the cemetery or other place of final rest. In the end society has lost touch with mourning with the association of a body and even mourning has begun to be a lost tradition. Jamie Wilson sums it up this way, “Dying traditions are dying traditions.” (Wilson, 2009)

Currently there is a rise in interest in hospice where those dying are cared for. Yet, still these are mostly utilized for those patients dying from AIDS, cancer, or motor neurone disease. (Neuberger, 2003) Julie Neuberger suggests that using hospices one can study healthy ways to deal with death and dying. (Neuberger, 2003) Neuberger also states that there is a new interest in spirituality associated with those dying in hospice and that this should be a high priority. (Neuberger, 2003)

The grieving process is also useful for other areas in life and one can use it for about any loss. In a sense, the loss of a job can cause many of the same emotional responses that death can, though maybe not as deep. By utilizing the tools of the grief process model one can readjust more quickly to be able to seek out other work.

Another area that the grief process has been found useful is in the case of divorce. In this case it is the death of a marriage. By utilizing the tools of the grief process model one can recognize and monitor his or her emotional state and more readily work through their emotions. When a person recognizes that he or she is experiencing grief over a loss and have the tools to deal and work with, they can find healthy ways to express themselves and work to healthy solutions. Often in the case of divorce one senses the same feelings as one would if there was a death of a spouse, yet there is not the resolution of the burial. By using the tools of the grief process one can come to acceptance of the situation as it is and grow beyond revenge, fantasy or other states of mind that may keep one from growing.

The grieving process is an excellent tool yet is it effective in all cultures and in light of other religious beliefs? Do some religions better prepare some for death than others in helping people deal with grief?

There is not much research that has been done on how the grieving process may differ from Western or European cultures and other cultural and religious views. One study did go into the differences in cultures that are present in the United States. I see that in some of these cultures and religious views that grief counselors need to take into account these differences as they attempt to help someone adapt to his o her loss. The hope of a counselor is that people will come to a healthy adaption to their loss rather than maladaptive. (Worden, 2009) By ignoring or worse forcing another cultural or religious idea on someone already stressed with the burden of grief can cause more stress and possible harm the person.



In many cultures the view of death is not as taboo as it is in the United States. Yet within the United States alone, there is an extended diversity of cultures and religious views giving us a bit of a perspective as to whether one need broaden the research on the grieving process.



According to Lobar, Youngblut, Brooten, In Mexican American college student “[r]esearchers have found greater expression of grief and more physiological reactions compared to Anglo college students.” (Jan-Feb 2006) Often in Latino communities do not want to burden the family and “will rely on faith, hope and prayer” (Lobar, Jan-Feb 2006 p. 1). to cope with the death of a loved one. In Asian and Latino communities open express grief which could include “wailing” or even mourning clothes are often parts of the rituals in which these cultural groups mourn. (Lobar, Jan-Feb 2006 p. 2) In some Latino expressions of religious faith there will be a mixture of “Catholicism and “folk medicine” such as Santeria, Kspiritismo, or Voodoo” (Lobar, Jan-Feb 2006 p. 2) which may include having a holy man come and help the deceased move into the next life. If a family with these beliefs are not allowed to do this it could add to their own stress and worry over the deceased and keep them from feeling they did not do all they could to help the deceased move into the next life.



In Hindi families there is much more interaction with preparation of the body by family members. They will bath the body, massage it in oils and dress the deceased in new clothes then make sure the body is cremated before the next sunrise to ensure the soul’s transition from this world to the next. If the grief counselor is not aware of this practice they can cause more undo stress to those grieving. By taking the body away as is custom in the United States, we are often not allowing those who practice their beliefs to do so. (Lobar, Jan-Feb 2006 p. 2)
Though some in Western culture may look at many of these as superstitious or even improper religious beliefs, the point in grief counseling is not changing the beliefs of the person grieving, but to help them work through the grief with some additional tools which the Grief Process Model may give. To be flexible with the structure can aid in the person overcoming the immediate stress of the loss. In most cases this is a time when many will cling to their faith and any challenge will not be accepted.



As one looks at the Grief Process Model in light of other cultures and religious views one may not come to the same conclusions. The Grief Process Model is a useful tool that can help people deal with death of a loved one, divorce, or even a loss of a job. Many have been helped by gaining understanding in what they may face in a loss. There still needs to be a respect for other cultural and religious views in how someone understands death and loss. To presume that all groups of people deal with death the same way undermines this respect. Taking time to study these other views can help extend the effectiveness of the Grief Process Model. So the question is whether one sees the Grief Process Model as universal or not? If the Grief Process Model is not universal to all cultures and religious views, then the modifications are necessary to better help those who have a loss due to death.




Reference page:

Dunne, K. (2004, July 21). Grief and its manifestations. Nursing Standard, 18(45), 45-53. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.





Lobar, S L, Youngblut, J M, & Brooten, D. (Jan-Feb 2006). Cross-cultural beliefs, ceremonies, and rituals surrounding death of a loved one. Pediatric Nursing, 32, 1. p.44(7). Retrieved February 27, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale:http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS

Neuberger, Julie (2003, July 26). A healthy view of dying. A healthy view of dying, 327, Retrieved March31. 2009, from http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/A%20Healthy%20View%20of%20Dying.pdf

Oxford English Dictionary (1989) Oxford English Dictionary, Second edition. Oxford, Oxford university press.

Sahley, B. (2007, January). Coping with Grief. MMRC Health Educator Reports, Retrieved February 27, 2009, from Alt HealthWatch database.

Unknown, (2009). The Kübler-Ross grief cycle. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from Changing minds.org Web site: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/change_management/kubler_ross/kubler_ross.htm

Wilson, Jamie K. (2007, August 02). Unhealthy fear of death: modern westerners don't understand how we end. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from Associated Content Web site: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/331488/unhealthy_fear_of_death_modern_westerners.html

Worden, J. William (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy Web site: http://www.springerpub.com/samples/01208_chapter.pdf


















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Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Good Christian...









“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Good Christian, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. The Good Christian yelled to the man, “Do you want to accept Jesus as your savior?” The man groaned… but gave no answer. “I said, do you want to accept Jesus as your savior?”

The man passed out from the pain he was in and due to loss of blood.
“Oh well, I would help you but first you must sit through my Chick Tracts and my let me walk you through the 4 spiritual laws… and…”

The man bled to death in front of him…

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?

Lord, help me to be a good neighbor and not just a good Christian...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kriss Allen





Not a big American Idol fan... but this performance by Kriss Allen is impressive

Jahaziel


In My Neighbourhood from Jahaziel Music on Vimeo.

Jahaziel is a truly gifted artist... check him out!

Best pie chart ever!


Too funny...

Worship Star... Rock On!

Afaayo foundation Uganda

Provide hope through promoting ethics of Christian belief and behavior.

Empower widow and child headed families caring for the marginalised persons especially those affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS.
Promote fostering of orphans in extended and or functional family units as opposed to institutionalizing.

Advocating against all forms of child abuse and inhuman behaviors.

Build vocational and formal educational skills for orphans abandoned and vulnerable children and youths.

Join this cause and do what you can to help.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A Cry in the wilderness….




A Cry in the wilderness….

A depression embraces you like a warm blanket keeping out the cold of the world you fear.

As we drink from the swill of life hoping it will keep you refreshed only to find our tongue is as dry as the desert air.

Despair curls up in your lap like a cat giving comfort, only to steal your life’s breath away as you sleep…

Left bleeding by the side of the rode as those who are called to love you walks by…

Redemption draws near, as your bones crumble to dust only to sneer and jeer at your pain.

Is it really redemption for you who suffer or those who should care and don’t?

Does forgiveness rise in the horizon only to become a mirage?

Do our cries go unheard because we refuse to hear or do we fear we are so close to being like the people we are called to love?

We take in our pets and love them as children, yet let children starve and die.

We buy our desires and love our own riches yet others only desire their basic needs met.

We are taught to fish and should teach others, yet draw out nets to feed only those who can pay.

We meet those who greet us as brothers and tell them to go away.

We chew on the bones of innocence and call it freedom.

We grab freedom for some and choke the life out of others so we can watch reality TV.

We choke on our own fear of losing our soul, yet reject redemption so near.

When is a song not a song and a poem not a poem?

What if our meter is lost and our rhymes do not rhyme?

When does communion with God become a sick joke to some?

When does the Truth become a lie to harm others?

How long do we sing this song, when there are no words but groans?

How long do we let suffering win and let hate be the victor?

I am not sure if those who claim to know… know…

I am not sure those who claim to love… love…

I am not sure that those who claim salvation have yet saved themselves…

I am sure of my faults, my sin, my unbelief… Lord, help me in my unbelief.

A Psalm for Kevin...




A Psalm for Kevin…

Write Kevin, write; release the dark soul of the night,
The pain deep within that you hide with a grin,
The fear we all share, and wonder who cares.

Write Kevin, write; release the dark soul of the night,
When your children cry and no comfort is found,
When all who we love are no where around,

Write Kevin, write; release you inner light,
The Light we all fear in to far or too near,
The Light that guides us even though….

Tears, fears, and a weary heart,
When hugs from friends are not enough,
When we find trust has begun to rust…
When the knot we tied is not enough….

Write Kevin write; release the bonds that hold you,
Grease the rope you hold thinking it secures you…
Write so that we all know we are all the same in His eyes…

Many forsake us on our way home,
Many will not seek to follow where we roam
They gather the moss and we follow the Call
So write Kevin… write…

Say Yes...



A little different version...



one more...

A boring post on Politics and Jesus.




Over the weekend I had a great time taking with Jesse Ahmann. We talked about a lot of things and of course with Jesse politics came up… Personally I hate politics. I used to love politics… I used to love listening to Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk shows… But after a while came to really dislike most of them.

What’s my beef with Rush? Well, as I listened to him I would hear him say, “If you resort to name calling then you have run out of subtenant arguments… now… for a FemiNazi update!” It was then I realized Rush may have run out of subtenant arguments…

Don’t get me wrong… I consider myself conservative… but, as far as the political scene, I see that really it does not matter what my view are… most likely the political wind will not blow the way I think and believe.

In a way as I was talking to Jesse, I realized it is sort of like how some in the Reformed camp are. They have a view… and if confronted will not listen to the other person to try to understand their perspective. In fact they quickly judge the person and their spiritual state and often (and I am not saying all in the Reformed camp are this way just some) will go so far as to judge the other person’s eternal destiny. Really a person can be lost as can be, but can come to faith sometime later… and to judge someone when you meet them in such a way really only reflects a lack of faith in God that He has the power to save others. Often the lack of grace is amazing. Like Rush or others, if there is even a solid point within the criticism these people will attack and refuse to listen. By shutting down the other person I think we lose a chance to hear God’s voice from another perspective. Meaning that though a person may not have it all together or even be right on some points, I see that God is working in people whether they believe in Him or not. I have run into atheists who insist they never “believed” and that I am wrong they had to make a choice at some point to believe or not… yet argue that God does not exist… This is a bit fascinating to me… I sometimes wonder if I also believe in some sort of circular logic and even may have times I do not accept I have chosen some thing be them right or wrong. I have talked to homosexuals who have a great faith in God, yet also see themselves as never coming out of that lifestyle. In that case I wonder if it is a case of being in denial over sin… and wonder if I am also that way in my own way.

Now, the one I seem to click with is Denise Miller… I think that is because he actually listens and engages callers and those he interviews. He seems to not be on the attack but still is respectfully confrontational when he sees he needs. Listening and interacting. I see that is what Jesus did with sinners and the religious. Jesus did not turn anyone away, but brought them to a point that they needed to make a decision about Him one way or the other. He would draw people to Himself and confront them lovingly where they were. He never condemned anyone though he may have stated some very strong words to people. Some will point out the “Woe to you…” and say Jesus condemned those towns or people, yet miss Jesus did not need to condemn them for they already were condemned…Jesus came to save them from the condemnation they would face.

Listen to people whether you agree with them or not… unless they so aggravate you so much you can’t… like some talk show hosts do to me… Though to me these seem more in the vein of being divisive and we are told to avoid such people.
Really, I had great trouble trying to decide how to vote. I will admit I did not vote for Obama... but came close at one point. I liked the idea of "change"... I am not sure we are getting the type of change that many had hoped for, but we will see. And I am still waiting for my bailout money... I will let you know when that happens.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

A Grain of Wheat - Major Ian Thomas

This Man

James McDonald: Great Damage: The Gift of Discernment Used in the Flesh




James MacDonald has a great article over recent so-called discernment ministries who have attacked him. His take on using the gift of discernement in the flesh brings out some excellent points.


Here is an excerpt:


If you are in Christ by the grace of God through repentance and faith, the Holy Spirit has given you a spiritual gift. Your spiritual gift is a supernatural capacity to serve Christ in this world. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, 14 are some of the places these gifts are listed and explained. While Christians debate the number of gifts and their availability for today, there is little debate about the existence of, and need for, the gift of discernment in the church. 1 Corinthians 12:10 lists “discerning of spirits” as a spiritual gift. Further, 1 John 4:1 commands us not to trust every ’spirit’ but to ‘test the spirits’ to see if they are from God. Clearly this is a call to use the spiritual gift of discernment.


The key to using our spiritual gifts well is to use them in the power of the Holy Spirit. People with the gift of mercy can become weak and wishy washy in matters of truth unless they let God’s Spirit direct their ‘mercy.’ People with the gift of leadership can become harsh and insensitive to the feelings of others even in trying to accomplish a God-given mission. When a Christian is operating in the flesh (Romans 8:5) and not under the control of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), they can do a lot of damage.


Tuesday, April 07, 2009

And now a word from Tim Challies









I thought this article was excellent... and what I found actually funny is that SoL, CRN (Ken Silva) are all feather ruffled over it and Tim Challies never mentioned their names... funny they know who they are... but can't admit the harm they do. Of course Ken uses this as a chance to bash Richard Abanes, and Ingrid complains about her comment not appearing on Tim's blog... really that one makes me laugh as back in the day I was banned from comments on Slice... then they stopped allowing comments as Ingrid just could not bear all the "hate"...


Free Phil Wickham music








Not sure how long he is doing this but this is cool....


Saturday, April 04, 2009

Saint or sinner, but always The Outlaw



There is a new movie out about the life of Larry Norman. Larry's music was a main reason I came to know Jesus. No doubt he was controversial on many levels... and in some ways his life was... a mess. Personal health issues and some unethical business situations... as well as other rumors surrounded Larry. All that said, Larry will always be dear to my heart. God used Larry Norman in spite of the mess that was. This movie covers the man, the legend, the weak and the strong... For more info here is the link to the movie Fallen Angel.



Here is Larry doing The Outlaw.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

King's X Pray

I love King's X... always have... great new music on XV... check it out.




Here is another song off the CD...

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Former members of Anthrax and Accept


Former members of Anthrax and Accept have joined in a new project... and it is Christian music.



Check out their project at their 4 Inch Nails Myspace page. Early comments by one of my "friends" was... "How'd guys formerly w/Anthrax & Accept write such panty-wearing Christian music? Thought it would rock!!! " LOL!












Add Image

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Are the "new" Online Discernment Ministries more like the cults?




I made an observation a while back in 2007 that some ODM's seem more cultish and at least may have many of the warning signs of danger. I went against my "rule" to not delete things on this blog and had deleted a few things in the name of peace in hopes some would seek peace also. Yet the post in "sorts" is still available at CRN.info. In a way I meant it as a joke, yet still was shocked to see the list from Cultintervention.com seemed spot on concerning Ken Silva at least.


The observation was that Ken Silva met 9 out of 10 of these warning signs.


Somehow in all this mess I have become friends with Richard Abanes (don't blame him!) who I see is a very fair and balanced writer when it comes to apologetics. He has a post that I think is a must read and also gives great insight into what I observed in 2007.


I see more an more the ODM are on a dangerous slide into cultism and apostasy... in their zeal to preserve and protect God and His Truth (Which if you think about it is anti-biblical as God and His Truth protect us.) I also recommend Richard's other post he cites in his post.



Face of Emerging changing?




I just read an interesting article at Emergent Village where Jonathan Brink is covering the latest Emerging Church conference. I found it interesting that as I have stated for over a year now that emerging will be morphing into something different. For a while emerging has been called, "young, white, rebellious, adolescent"... etc, yet, as one that is a bit older myself than the "average" emerging (whatever that is!) I found that the face of emerging is much older. Johnathan mentions, "The average age in the room was at least 50." BTW, if that is true, then I am one of the young ones at age 44! lol!

So is Emergent coming of age? I have more thoughts on this yet not enough time to get them written down. Suffice it to say, I remember many time as a youngster, that I would sit through teachings on how God used the young to bring on revival. My view is that emerging IS the revival that so many desire... and is spreading.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Remember the Sweet Comfort Band?





It was the late 70's heading into the 80's and though this video makes them look a little dorky, they rocked...

Here a something from the early 80's. Sorry just the music and no video footage.



Another favorite from this time was Phil Keaggy. This is from 1980. One of the best guitarist I have ever seen.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

New Seventh Day Slumber Worship

The wages of sin…



The wages of sin…

I was doing some thinking about the relationship of sin, death, the cross and what is the eternal punishment.

To some this may be obvious, and I agree, yet to many I believe they have a mixed up view of sin, death the Cross and the eternal life or punishment some will face. If you ask most Christians what will happen when they die, they will say, “I will go to heaven.” If you were to ask, “How long?” I guarantee that you will receive some funny looks! If you were to ask why someone will go to hell there will usually be two answers.

1. They were sinners.
2. They did not accept Jesus.

Now granted all people are sinners. Even the redeemed are “redeemed sinners”. Yet, is it because of our “sin” we go to hell? I know some who are reading are already going, “Yes! Why even ask such a stupid question!” Yet, if you really look at what the bibles states I do not believe people go to hell for their “sin”… at least not since the Cross.

First off the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Death was the result of the sin that Adam and Eve committed in the Garden. Death was part of the curse that came not only on mankind, but on all creation due to Adams disobedience. So the wages of sin is death.

So?

Meaning, that when we sin we will die. Wages are the payment for our sins. If you go to work at a job, then most likely you earn wages of some kind. You are getting payment for the work you do. The payment comes from the result of your work… so also death comes from the result of sin. We are paid in our debt to sin by our own life being taken by death.

So how does that effect things if you grasp what I am saying here.

From death to life not from sinful to life.

Since the death of Jesus, who had no sin and became sin for us, sin also died with Jesus on the Cross.

2 Cor 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

There really is no other meaning to this verse other than Jesus became sin for us and in that the balance of sin and death was set to right. So now the result is that it is not our sin that we should be worried about but that we will be dead. Forgiveness for sins came on the cross. I am amazed how many people argue this with me. They claim that forgiveness did not come on the cross as that would mean all people are then forgiven! Imagine that! How could Jesus’ death not forgive us yet also forgive us. I see this as a bit of double speak. Some like Calvin ran into this and realized (and confused), if all are forgiven then all are saved! Of course forgiveness does not equate salvation. You did not know that? The Christian life is not about us getting saved… yes that is part, but it is mostly about the resurrected Christ who now imparts His Life to us. Calvin simply confused forgiveness and salvation as the same thing… Forgiveness at the Cross justified us so that forgiveness could come and the resurrection gave us Life in Christ.

Romans 5: 9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

First off, noticed when we were justified… by His blood! When did Jesus spill His blood? At the Cross! So we were justified by Jesus’ blood at the Cross

Romans 3:22-24 states this justification was given “freely by grace”.

22. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24. and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Yes, redemption came at the Cross, but life comes with the Resurrection! Again Romans 5: 10 . For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Again, notice that we have already been reconciled… when? At the Cross! Praise God! Yet, it clearly states we are not saved just by the death of Jesus, but we are saved through his Life!

Calvin missed this idea that the Cross was only part of salvation. When he saw that all would be forgiven at the Cross and realized this would me Universal Salvation, he created Limited Atonement. Now I would get into the difference between OT atonement and NT propitiation, though I believe this teaching has become mostly lost in churches today. But since Calvin confused forgiveness and salvation, he missed that we receive the Life of Christ through the Resurrection. Or if he realized that we received life, he missed that we needed the death of Jesus to set the scales to right… to justify or reconcile the debt of sin which lead to death by taking away sin in His own death… and we needed the Resurrection so that we could have the Life of Jesus which is eternal.

Sin and Death are no longer the enemy. They are subject to Jesus and sin was already dealt with at the Cross and soon death will be tossed into the Lake of Fire. Now it is not about “sins” but about dead men needing Life! We are given the ministry of reconciliation to bring others from death to Life! What a glorious calling…


Monday, March 09, 2009

Grace: Failing Forward




This weekend I have been in some interesting discussions. On one hand, I was discussing the Bodily Resurrection and hope that this discussion will go on, On the other side I was in a deep discussion with a couple of Calvinist. During the conversation it was stated that I seem to attack Calvinist. In some ways I see that as true, yet what I pointed out was that most the time Calvinist come to me and not only accuse me of all sorts of things, they also attack me on personal levels. Funny thing is I realized that I do not remember ever being attacked by anyone who is of the Arminian persuasion. Though I know I have had some interesting discussion with Arminians, I only recall about two that took it to the level that many Calvinists have. Now, please, I am not “anti-Calvinist”. I have read up on Calvinism and in my view there are some really good things Calvin taught, yet I also see some grave errors in Calvinism.

The other people who seem to often fall into the Calvinist camp but not always, are those who seem to literally “hate” anyone associated with the emerging church/conversation. These seem to attack mostly on a personal level. I was even told a couple of times I was not “saved” because I have a link to Brian McLaren’s websites… I find some humor in that as I do not recall Jesus stating that links to people can make one lose or jeopardize their salvation.

Now the point is not about my disagreement, rather in how I sometimes respond. I admit fully at times my reactions are not very good and sometimes not Christ like… In this and other areas, I see my own personal failings as a Believer in Jesus.

What I have come to realize over the years though is that we can focus on our failings and fall into self condemnation. In fact, in my own life I know that at times I am harder on myself than God is!

Failing is not a sin. Or if it is, it is not one that takes us so far out of God’s Grace that He is unable to restore us. If one looks at failing as sinful, I see that then one may miss real opportunities to grow in Christ.

When I have failed, God has not ever forsaken me. I have sometimes felt shame and not wanted to come to God and understand what happened, yet when I have pressed in, I found that God does not feel the same shame about me. In fact, God lovingly picks me up and sets me upright again and again.


Failing is part of the process of renewing out minds. If we are not failing, then we are not moving. In fact to not fail is to not try. If we are not trying then we are not able to grow!

Victories only come when we accept we fail. God is not surprised in our failings, though I do think at times He is more surprised when we do not fail.

Romans 3:10 -12 tell us of every one’s condition:

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

When we realize that there is not one person who is “right”, and that everyone is “wrong”, we can begin to truly seek dependence on God for all things righteous. So many people, and I include myself, fight for our own “rightness”. I see that every disagreement and fight with someone else is based on our need to be right in our own eyes. In stead of allowing God to be our “rightness” or “Righteousness” we seek our own and worse, impose our standard of “rightness” on the other.

Now we do need to use some judgment, but correctly. And as one fails, if we understand that only God is “Right” then we can trust that when we are wrong or wrong another, God will set us right again.

When failing, if we accept that we will, I see that is when God will use us. In fact as we fail, God steps in and is able to do what He intended in the first place if we trust Him to do so.

I found when I fail, God lifts me up again… He lovingly dusts me off and then shows me how to succeed. If He does not, then the lesson of course is that I do not need to succeed in that area. Yet, without failings, there is no success. Without trying there is no success.

Now, what do I mean by try?

John 5:19-21 is where one needs to start in their understanding.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Now notice what Jesus stated? Jesus did not do anything Himself but totally depended on the Father to do all things. Often we think that “trying” is what we do with our own hands. We fall into the wrong thinking that if “I” try hard enough “I” will succeed. Though one may do great things on their own, this is not how one succeeds in the Christian life. To live in total dependence on the Father as Jesus did is the only true formula to success. In living in total dependence on the Father through Jesus Christ is the only way to receive the Life of Christ. Success by man’s standards is often contrary to God’s standards.

Mark 8:35-37 asks the questions we should ask our self as to if we are truly seeking Godly success.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

These questions should point out to us if we are seeking our own success or trusting God for His. What good is worldly success if we lose our soul in the end?

God’s grace covers our failings, yet to mire in the muck of our failings instead of running to God and admitting them, we lose the opportunity to grow as God desires us. There is no condemnation for those in Christ… so there is no condemnation for the Believer if they fail. If you have failed, get up… talk to God… listen to His guidance and know that He is more concerned and loves you than you even love your own self.

I once heard a very wise man say, “If you get to the end of your rope, grease that sucker and let go! When you do, that is when you are trusting God and He will be there.” That sounds scary as we would rather tie a knot in that rope and trust our own strength and hang on. Yet, what can we do in our own strength better than God?

Trying is not about working harder, but resting in what God has done and is still doing in you as a believer. The Christian life is a lot like floating on water. Have you ever tried to float? The more you try to float the more you sink. Yet, when you relax, trust the water to float you, you do not sink. Trying in the Christian life is just like that. If we go in trying to keep our self afloat we only sink, yet, if we relax and trust God to float us, He keeps us buoyant in the Christian life. When we struggle, often it is because we are relying on our own strength and not trusting God.

When we do fail, fail forward. Do not allow your failures to keep you from growing but allow God to teach you through your failures. Failing forward is about getting up and growing from them. When we fail, one needs to use that as an opportunity to see themselves as they are and see their real need for a Savior. It allows us to walk in the Faith God gave us and to learn how to trust God more.

My prayer is that if you are reading this and are paralyzed with fear of failure, do not give up but believe God will be there. Trust that His way for you is the best for you. Give up “trying” in your own strength and begin to trust God in His.


Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The resurrection of the dead



The resurrection of the dead

I have a few preterist friends who take the resurrection as a “spiritual” resurrection and that it already has taken place. They take this view in part by viewing that Jesus already returned “spiritually” in 70ad. I do consider myself as a partial preterist though I do not suppose that I fully understand the view so in part will not address the full preterist view directly. In the discussion though I want to look at what the Bible states specifically about the “bodily” resurrection as well as look at the early church fathers view on the topic.

I start my view in Genesis.

2:15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it. 2:16 Then the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”


Now as the story continues we find that Eve is deceived and both Adam and Eve eat of the fruit and their eyes are opened and they begin to know both good and evil. At this point in Chapter 3 they are cast out of Eden before they can eat of the Tree of Life and become immortal. If they had eaten of the Tree of Life, then they could not have been redeemed.

3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

So man who could have eaten of the fruit of the Tree of Life and live forever, now will die. Most biblical scholars will point out that though man did not die physically, there was a spiritual death and separation from the Presence of God and the relationship that once was at that point now was severed. My understanding of the Preterist view is that they point out that Adam was not the first to “die” physically and that Able was the first to die physically. This is true yet what is overlooked is that Able was made in the “image” of Adam. The mortality that was now impressed on Adam was passed on to his son Able.

4:1 Now the man had marital relations with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Then she said, “I have created a man just as the Lord did!”

So instead of the dependence of the fact that Adam needed to die first man, does die as God states. Death does reign from Adam though he is not the first to die, death does take a human life and that being Able first born son of Adam.

Death begins its reign at Adam and Able is the first victim of death taking the mortal life of a human. To say that Adam needed to die first, misses that Death began in Adam and was passed on to Able. This does not mean that because Able died first, God was wrong in that the mortal body of man died the very day Adam ate of the fruit of good and evil.

Now as we press on, we see that in the Jewish view there is no doubt they believed in a physical resurrection of the dead. In fact it is considered one of the 13 principles of the Jewish faith.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/332555/jewish/The-13-Principles.htm

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=233&letter=R


Being that the physical resurrection was also a historical view held by the Jews should be an indicator in how we should view certain passages.

Daniel 12: 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Now this is an interesting passage that directly states that those “who sleep in the dust” will awake. Some will receive everlasting life and other shame and everlasting contempt.

Now it is hard to deny that “dust” refers to the physical human body. Genesis states God made man from the “dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7) and also in reference to the death of a person, Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

6. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7. and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The human body when it dies will return to dust. So Daniel in Daniel 12: 1 is clearly stating that there will be an awakening of physical bodies.

When reading the book of Job, the point many miss is at the end. Many note that Job had all restored to him, yet miss that he still lost his children at the beginning of the story. Note that in the beginning of the story:

Job 1:2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants.


Note at the end of the story when Job had all things restored, something is missing? The bible states Job was blessed even greater at the end of his life, yet something very important is missing… his original children.

Job 42: 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

Now if Job had been fully restored there should have been 14 sons and 6 more daughters given to him, yet, what one misses is that a major point in the story of Job, is that God does not owe man any explanation for what he does, yet, still gives us the story of Job as an explanation. In the end, Job did not lose his original sons and daughters as the underlining theme often missed is that of the Resurrection of the dead. Job would be reunited with his original sons and daughters at that time.

Carrying on with the understanding of this physical resurrection we start to notice that those living at the time of Jesus expected such a things. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. (Matthew 14:2) In John 11 we have the story of Lasarus being rasied physically from the dead. Jesus even refers to Lazarus as “sleeping” and the bible explains that he had died. Martha expresses her hope in the physical resurrection to Jesus who does not rebuke her.

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus then raises the physical body of Lazarus from the grave after he was dead four days and began to stink.

This is a “shadow” of what was to come after Jesus was raised physically from the grave and ushered in the New Creation.

Which brings me into my next point. Jesus was the first fruit of the resurrection. The main point of this was expressed as the Good News. It was not the death of Jesus that surprised anyone… everyone died. It was the idea expressed by the believers that not only had Jesus died on the Cross, but that in three days had risen from the dead! This was not a spiritual resurrection, it was expressed solely as a physical resurrection. Not only do the Gospel all teach this, in the book of Acts over and over the disciples spoke of this resurrection as physical. The Gospels and the Book of Acts all speak of Jesus doing physical things with his body such as eating. Jesus even makes this very point that he was not a “spirit” or “ghost” to Thomas in Luke 24:

37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Notice Jesus even states that this physical resurrection was to fulfill what was written as I already referred to in Daniel 12.

To deny that Jesus rose physically is to deny a major teaching in the New Testament.
Paul expresses the hope we have in the physical resurrection

Philippians 3: 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

John also stated that we will be like Jesus is at the resurrection.

1 John 3: 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Paul also expresses that our bodies will be changed and glorified as Jesus was and is.

Philippians 3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.
Note Paul states that God will transform our humble bodies into the likeness of jesus’ body. Also note as I already stated, Jesus painstakenly pointed out that He did not raise spiritually to Thomas but physically.

Though I will not be so bold to state how Jesus “glorified” body is, as I think that the diescirption in the book of Revelation is more symbolic and Jesus does nto have a literal sword coming out of his mouth, I do see every indication that Jesus was raised and glorfied in a physical body and that we also will be glorified as Jesus was.

1 Corinthians is clear as to that we will have “bodies”

35But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

The last phrase is of great interest when we look at the person of Jesus. “We will bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” Jesus was born not of natural human decision or of a fathers will (John 1: 12), rather Jesus was born of Heaven. Though fully human and even more so than we are now, as Jesus was the first of the New Man and was the first fully human since Adam, was the prototype of what we will be. We are “earthly man” now though we now are “born of heaven” spiritually, yet to come to the fullness of the realization of what we will be is that we will also be in the likeness of the New Man Jesus.as He was and is….having a physical body.

To state we will only rise spiritually at the resurrection misses this verse entirely. How can we be a “spirit” when we are to become as Jesus is in his glorified state?

I see also this teaching of a physical resurrection was held by the early church fathers. Here are some quotes.

Note that these quotes are after 70ad.

John Chrysostom (347-407):

"For what position can be loftier or more secure than that in which a man has only one anxiety, 'How he ought to please God?' Hast thou seen the shipwrecks, Theodore, of those who sail upon this sea? Wherefore, I beseech thee, avoid the deep water, avoid the stormy billows, and seize some lofty spot where it is not possible to be captured. There is a resurrection, there is a judgment, there is a terrible tribunal WHICH AWAITS us when we have gone out of this world; 'we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ'" (St. Chrysostom, An Exhortation To Theodore After His Fall, Letter II, 4).

"As then if we see any one sleeping we are not disturbed or distressed, expecting that he WILL certainly get up: even so when we see any one dead, let us not be disturbed or dejected for this also is a sleep, a longer one indeed, but still a sleep. By giving it the name of slumber He comforted the mourners and overthrew the accusation of the unbelievers. If you mourn immoderately over him who has departed you will be like that unbeliever who has no hope of a resurrection. He indeed does well to mourn, inasmuch as he cannot exercise any spiritual wisdom concerning things to come: but thou who hast received such strong proofs CONCERNING THE FUTURE LIFE, why dost thou sink into the same weakness with him? Therefore it is written 'now concerning them that are asleep we would not have you ignorant that ye sorrow not even as others who have no hope'" (Chrysostom: Omily On The Paralytic Let Down Through The Roof).

"15. . . . What did He promise? Resurrection, immortality of the body, union with angels, a place in the joyful company of archangels, and as a citizen in His kingdom, immaculate life, the good things 'which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man, things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.'
16. Understand what is said, lest ye lose it: I am labouring to enable you to perceive it. The dowry of the bride then was divided into two portions consisting of things present and things to come; things seen and things heard, things given and things taken on trust, things experienced, and things to be enjoyed hereafter; things belonging to present life, and things to come AFTER THE RESURRECTION"
(Chrysostom, Homily II, After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside The Church Had Been Taken Captive).

"And Paul clearly testifies this, saying, 'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected the same in hope: because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.' For the creation was made subject to vanity, he says, and he expects that it will be set free from such servitude, as he intends to call this world by the name of creation. For it is not what is unseen but what is seen that is subject to corruption. The creation, then, after being restored to a better and more seemly state, remains, rejoicing and exulting over the children of God AT THE RESURRECTION; for whose sake it NOW groans and travails, WAITING itself also for our redemption from the corruption of the body, that, WHEN we have risen and shaken off the mortality of the flesh, according to that which is written, 'Shake off the dust, and arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem,' and have been set free from sin, it also shall be freed from corruption and be subject no longer to vanity, but to righteousness" (Methodius, circa 311 A.D., From the Discourse on the Resurrection, Part I, VIII).

Polycarp (AD. 70-156) was a direct disciple of John. Here is his view.

"we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself." Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself HAS COMMANDED US, AND AS THE APOSTLES WHO PREACHED THE GOSPEL UNTO US, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]." (Letter to Philippians CHAPTER 6)

"But He who raised Him up from the dead WILL raise up us also" (CHAPTER II.--AN EXHORTATION TO VIRTUE)

Ignatius (AD. 67-110) Also a disciple of John:

"He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father WILL SO raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus" (THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE TRALLIANS CHAPTER IX)


Irenaeus a disciple of Polycarp:

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXX

"But he indicates the number of the name now, that WHEN this man comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: ..But when this Antichrist SHALL HAVE devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord WILL COME from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom"

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXVI, 1

"In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, indicated to the Lord's disciples what SHALL HAPPEN IN THE LAST TIMES, and concerning the ten kings WHO SHALL THEN arise, ... These have one mind, and give their strength and power to the beast. THESE SHALL make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb SHALL OVERCOME them, because He is the Lord of lords, and King of kings. ... And THEY SHALL lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and SHALL GIVE their kingdom to the beast, and put the church to flight. AFTER THAT THEY SHALL be destroyed by the coming of our Lord."

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXXV, 1

"For ALL these and other words were UNQUESTIONABLY SPOKEN IN REFERENCE TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST, WHICH TAKES PLACE AFTER the coming of Antichrist, AND the destruction of all nations under his rule; IN [the times of] WHICH [resurrection] THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL reign on the earth, waxing stronger by the sight of the Lord: and through Him they SHALL become accustomed to partake in the glory of God the Father, and SHALL enjoy in the kingdom intercourse and communion with the holy angels, and union with spiritual beings; and those whom the Lord SHALL FIND IN THE FLESH, AWAITING HIM from heaven, and WHO HAVE suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one."

There are many more examples of the early church fathers taking the view of the literal and physical resurrection. To state that these men were ignorant and missed that it happened “spiritually” in 70ad would seem to be an insult to them and to church history.