XIII. The Origin of the Idea of the Eschatological Resurrection as a Participation in Jesus' Resurrection

Abstract

Paul viewed the future resurrection of those who are in Christ as something which would come about through the participation of the Christians in the resurrection of Christ. However, the martyrological tradition does not comprise the idea that the martyr's resurrection is a representative event in which others will participate. The resurrection of the martyr is seen as a vindication, a personal reward for his loyalty to God. Two passages in Jewish literature might seem at first sight to offer analogies to Paul's idea, namely, 1 Enoch 49:3 and 2 Apoc. Bar. 30:1. In 1 Enoch the eschatological agent, called the Elect One, is said to have 'the spirit of those who sleep in righteousness'. The chapter concludes that neither the belief in Jesus' own resurrection nor the concept of the eschatological resurrection can have occasioned Paul to extend the idea of the unity between the Christians and Christ.Keywords: Elect One; eschatological resurrection; Jesus' resurrection; Jewish literature; martyrological tradition; Paul