Series Review: Christianity Explored (Resurrection)
- Deborah Ljung
- May 16
- 5 min read
If you are reading this review on the Sabbath, then I would like to wish you a Sabbath filled with the assurance that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to die for our sins, has risen and will come again to reign as our eternal King.
This week’s review is for the series, Christianity Explored. Episode: Resurrection
Description
Christianity Explored is a ten-week course that introduces people to Christianity using the Gospel of Mark as its basis. Written by Rico Tice and Barry Cooper and originally run as a course at All Souls Church, Langham Place in London -- where it is still in use -- this widely-used course aims to introduce people to Jesus as they read the gospel of Mark -- who he is, why he came and what it means to follow him.
This episode is focused on the validity of Jesus’ resurrection, based on a multitude of scripture verses.
Rico guides us through key verses in the Gospel of Mark that tell us what Jesus predicted about His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 and Mark 10:32-34).
We are also guided to verses that give accounts of witnesses of Jesus’ death (Mark 15:42-47, Mark 16:1-3).
I like how Rico pointed out that the disciples didn’t fully understand because what Jesus was saying was just so big a concept and nothing like anyone else could claim. Maybe that is why Jesus remained for 40 days, showing himself several times to His disciples and many others, so that the truth would sink in. Acts 1:1-3 - In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
One of my favourite accounts is in Luke 24:13-34, that tells of two of Jesus’ disciples that were walking to a village called Emmaus. They were speaking of all that had happened to Jesus and were joined by a stranger on their walk, who they would later come to recognize as the risen Christ. I am sure I am one of many people who would loved to have been on that walk that day! Verse 27 says that Jesus gave them a Bible study right there, to show them how all of the scriptures pointed to Him. What a blessing!
There are two points I’d like to make about this episode. Rico mentioned the Sabbath as the Jewish holy day. Scripture shows that Sabbath was given to men before there was a Jewish nation - so it is not a Jewish holy day - it’s the 4th commandment. That why Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). The translation of man is human being. I did a review in December 2021 on the book Sabbath Light. That has a lot of good information about the 4th commandment, that God tells us not to forget.
The second point, Rico speaks of a man he knew, who was dying that implied he would be going to heaven straight away. However, Rico also spoke about Jesus coming back to raise the dead. Which one is it? If we go to heaven when we die, who would Jesus be raising from the dead when He returns? I have spoken about the state of the dead before and consider it important enough, to repeat here. Scripture indicates that death is a sleep, while we wait for Jesus’ return. We do not go straight to heaven. I too was raised with the belief that we did, but when I read the Bible, later on in life, as an adult, I saw that this was simply not true.
1 Corinthians 15:21-28 says:
21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.”(Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
Hear are some other Bible references that clearly show we do not go straight to heaven, but will be raised when Jesus returns.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Revelation 20:4-6
1 Corinthians 15:3-6
1 Corinthians 15:12-18
1 Corinthians 15:46-54
John 11:24
John 24:15
On another note, Rico mentioned Peter, the apostle and how he had received mercy from Jesus. Rico gives us some Bible verses that relay this: Mark 14:72 and Mark 16:7. Scripture really shows us how much Jesus and our Heavenly Father loves us!
While there might be disagreement over doctrine in the church - this episode of Christianity Explored makes one thing very plain, through scripture: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins and has been resurrected.
Rico asks, Are we ready to meet Jesus?
As tomorrow is not promised, I take that as we have to be ready for Jesus today. This reminds me of the verse from Hebrews 3:13: You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
The episode, Resurrection, is a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle this world is in and our hope in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who was sent to die for our sins, was resurrected from the dead and will soon return to take us to eternal life. Thank you, Jesus!
I watched, Christianity Explored. Episode: Resurrection, via RedeemTV.com
Thank you for reading this review. Until next time, peace be with you.
–Deborah
True to the Word podcast link: https://www.renewedfaithmedia.com/podcast
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