Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology, Chapter 43

Chapter 43, Union with Christ


*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Every aspect of God's relationship to believers is somehow connected to Christ. 

Past (foundation of the world), present, and future (glorification)... all is eternally linked together in God and in Christ. 

We are "in Christ," Christ is "in us," we are "like Christ," and "with Christ."  Grudem takes them one at a time. 

In Christ: 
Chosen in Christ from before the beginning of time. 
As Christ lived on earth, God thought of us as being in Christ and thus laid upon Christ the iniquity of us all, and "He himself bore our sins on his body on the tree."  crucified, buried, and raised with Christ...
We have a new life in Christ.
All our actions can be done "in Christ," as the New Testament gives example of. Paul speaks truth in Christ, proud of his work in Christ, hopes in Christ, rejoices in the Lord, exhorts in Christ, and can do all things in him who strengthens me.   
We are one body in Christ, in fellowship with believers.  Thus, if one member suffers, all suffer, if one rejoices, all rejoice. 

Christ is in us:

A real personal dwelling of Christ in us, so that instead of merely agreeing with the ideas, HE is is us and perseveres with us in faith.  We are dependent on Christ. 

We are like Christ: 
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ, writes Paul. Welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you.  Love your wives, as Christ loved the church.  As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  
In contrast, disobedience to Christ holds him up in contempt. Heb 6. 
We even suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

We are with Christ:
We have fellowship with him, we know him, we are comforted by him.  As we worship and pray, we commune with God and he desires to have us with him. 
There is also a connected union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology, Chapter 42

Glorification (receiving a resurrection body)

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Christ did not just redeem our spirits but also the whole of us, including our bodies.  So our redemption is not full until we receive resurrection bodies (called glorification) at Christ's return. 

We should live in eager expectation of Christ's return, as even was expected in the Old Testament.  

What will our resurrection bodies be like?  
Imperishable; they won't grow old or have any sickness or disease.  
Glorious: either in a lovely way or in a radiance surrounding us, 
Raised in power: not weak or old and aging. 

If we take the example of Jesus' resurrected body, he was able to be touched, had flesh and bones, could eat food, and yet was made perfect.  Yet some who knew him did not immediately recognize him...

The resurrection will be both for the just and the unjust, according to Acts 24, as a final judgement takes place. 

Wayne Grudems systematic theology, chapter 41

Chapter 41, Death and the intermediate state. 

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Why do Christians die, and what happens to our bodies and souls when we do die?

1. Death is not a punishment for Christians, as we hear from Paul that "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

2.  Death is the final outcome of living in a fallen world.  In the end, God will even destroy the enemy, death. Christians also experience aging, illness, injury, and natural disasters, even if God does protect us from those things sometimes as a foreshadowing of his coming kingdom. 

3.  Death completes our sanctification. The pain related to aging and death is not God's punishment, (although he might be disciplining us as his children).  We should be assured by Romans that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."  Christ says to Smyrna in Revelations:  "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

4. Experiencing death completes our union with Christ.  Romans 8 says, "we suffer with Christ in order that we may also be glorified with him." 

5. Our obedience to God is more important than preserving our own lives.  The world wants to preserve physical life at all costs, yet we want to be faithful to God.  Paul says several times how his life is not valuable but that he can run the race for Christ. 

How should we then think about our and other's deaths?

1.  Look with joy that we will be going to be with Christ.  Our joy is a testimony to a world that trembles about death. 

2.  When Christian friends and family die, there is both sorrow and joy.  Sorrow for loss of fellowship with them....yet we should, "not grieve as others do who have no hope." 1 Thess 4.   We also rejoice that they are with the Lord. 

3.  When unbelievers die, there is a deep and real sorrow.  We do not know a person's heart and relationship with God when they die, so we may always lay them in the Lord's hands.  We should not indicate that they are going to heaven.   We should speak thankfully about them and the good qualities of their lives. 

What happens when people die?

1. Believers souls go immediately into God's presence.  (The Bible does not teach purgatory). They will enjoy fellowship with Christ there.  Revelations shows how we will be praying and worshiping God together. 

What about Old Testament believers? What we can see from the related texts are that believers were alive, in heaven, with God, but of course what a rejoicing there must have been when Christ did his work, fully paid their sins, and returned!

Should we pray for the dead? 

No.  Believers go directly into God's presence, and unbelievers go to hell....what good does it do to pray for them after death?  It is their actions and beliefs in life that make the difference.  The story of the rich man and Lazarus shows us that there is no way to change after death what you believe.  Eternal punishment for unbelievers is difficult to contemplate, but it is very clear according to scripture.