ACC ~ John 11 v25

THE VOICE OF LIFE AND JOY THAT WAKENS THE DEAD

ATHANASIUS I am the voice of life that wakens the dead. I am the good odor that takes away the foul odor. I am the voice of joy that takes away sorrow and grief. … I am the comfort of those who are in grief. Those who belong to me are given joy by me. I am the joy of the whole world. I gladden all my friends and rejoice with them. I am the bread of life. [1] HOMILY ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS. [2]

[1] Jn 6:35.

[2] AJSL 57:265-66*.

THE OLD TESTAMENT FATHERS ARE CHRIST’S CHILDREN

IRENAEUS If he is not the God of the dead but of the living, yet was called the God of the fathers [1] who were sleeping, they do undoubtedly live to God and have not passed out of existence, since they are children of the resurrection. But our Lord is himself the resurrection, as he himself declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” But the fathers are his children, for it is said by the prophet: “In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons.” [2] Christ himself, therefore, together with the Father, is the God of the living who spoke to Moses and who was also made known to the fathers. AGAINST HERESIES 4.5.2. [3]

[1] The Old Testament patriarchs.

[2] Ps 45:16 (44:17 LXX).

[3] SC 100:430; ANF 1:467.

CHRIST AS PLEDGE OF OUR RESURRECTION FORESHADOWED IN OLD TESTAMENT

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONS For the almighty God himself will raise us up through our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his infallible promise, and grant us a resurrection with all those that have slept from the beginning of the world. And we shall then be such as we now are in our present form, without any defect or corruption. For we shall rise incorruptible: whether we die at sea, or are scattered on the earth or are torn to pieces by wild beasts and birds, he will raise us by his own power. For the whole world is held together by the hand of God. …

This resurrection was not believed by the Jews, when of old they said, “Our bones are withered, and we are gone.” [1] To whom God answered and said, “Behold, I open your graves and will bring you out of them. And I will put my Spirit into you, and you shall live: and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken it and will do it.” [2] And he says by Isaiah: “The dead shall rise, and those that are in the graves shall be raised up. And those that rest in the earth shall rejoice, for the dew which is from you shall be healing to them.” [3] There are indeed many and various things said concerning the resurrection, and concerning the continuance of the righteous in glory and concerning the punishment of the ungodly, their fall, rejection, condemnation, shame, “eternal fire and endless worm.” [4] Now in order to show that it was in his power, if it had pleased him, that all men and women should be immortal, he provided the examples of Enoch and Elijah, who he did not allow to have any experience of death. Or if it had pleased him in every generation to raise those that died, that this also he was able to do he has made evident by himself and by others as when he raised the widow’s son by Elijah [5] and the Shunammite’s son by Elisha. [6] But we are persuaded that death is not a retribution of punishment, because even the saints have undergone it. In fact, even the Lord of the saints, Jesus Christ, the life of those who believe and the resurrection of the dead, [experienced it]. … For it is he who raised Lazarus when he had been in the grave four days, and Jairus’s daughter [7] and the widow’s son. [8] It is he who raised himself by the command of the Father in the space of three days who is the pledge of our resurrection. For he says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 5.1.7. [9]

[1] Ezek 37:11.

[2] Ezek 37:13-14.

[3] Is 26:19.

[4] Is 66:24.

[5] 1 Kings 17.

[6] 2 Kings 4.

[7] Mk 5.

[8] Lk 7.

[9] ANF 7:439-40*.