To characterize the controversy another way (in Time- and Newsweek-speak) there are those who contend that the resurrection, never having happened historically, was the disciples’ spiritual recollection of their great moral teacher Jesus. The only thing we can know for certain is that Jesus was crucified and died.
This discussion came into focus in officer training. We were exploring the difference between church officers and members. Is there a distinction between what is required for an officer in the content of a profession of faith and a church member? We looked at the questions in the Form of Government. Indeed there is a difference. Church officers are required to profess a far deeper conviction about the authoritative and unique witness of the Scriptures to Jesus Christ, and to the essential tenets of the Reformed Tradition. Once you assume the responsibility of being an elder, deacon or minister, you can’t just believe anything you want to. There are clear boundaries, because you have assumed responsibility — not just for your own convictions — but for the faith of the congregation.
We were told, then, about a congregation in which it came to light that a Sunday school teacher of youth who was also on the session had “slipped through the examination process.” He did not believe in the resurrection. When he was not asked to teach again, some members of that church interpreted the action as a case of oppressive fundamentalism. None of our about-to-be-ordained and installed officers took that view. We agreed that if you are going to assume responsibility for the life and faith of a congregation in the PC(USA) there are basic beliefs and convictions for which the session (and presbytery for Ministers of the Word) may hold you accountable.
We can at least affirm the scriptural witness, with Paul and the gospels, that Jesus the Messiah was crucified, died and was buried, and that he was raised on the third day, and that he made appearances to his followers, eating with them as before, and showing them the scars, the barely healed wounds in his hands and side. It is to this that the Scriptures attest, and to which we gladly assent when we are ordained. It is the faith of the holy catholic church. With-out it we would have no church.
But there is something even deeper here. It has everything to do with our trust in the Living God. Do we believe that in the brokenness of our church and in our own sinful lives, God can do what is humanly impossible — just as God did when Jesus was raised? That God can make a way where there is no way?
Much of what “puts people off” about the resurrection is that we human beings are not in charge, even of understanding what “happened.” The empty tomb, the appearances, the eating and drinking, the gracious conversation of Jesus with his disciples, the testimony of the women which was doubted — and even the running away in fear (Mark 16) demonstrate that we are not in control of our destiny, our perception of reality and certainly not the human future. So when, in Ernest Campbell’s words, we are up against the hard numbers, do we place our trust in the God who made a nation of slaves, and who has cradled them in providential mercy to this day? Do we trust this God who raised Jesus Christ from the grave? Who will raise us up at the last day? That’s what really matters to church officers, to church members, and indeed, we dare to claim, to the world. Faith in the resurrection is not believing what we know isn’t so, but trusting in that which is beyond the [humanly] demonstrable.*
Christ is risen indeed! Thanks be to God!
*Keck, Leander, The Church Confident, p. 49
Posted April 5, 2004 
O. Benjamin Sparks is interim editor of The Outlook and pastor, Second church, Richmond, Va.
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