The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-27

the "again" may refer to the rising again
Of the person whom death has removed
from US; and this without any implica-
ton that the person should re appear,
clothed in the identical body which had
been laid away in the grave.
In the ordinary primitive classic use
of the amastasis, as also of its verb anis-
tenn, we find simply the idea of rising.
These we're the words used in common
parlance to express rising, as from a
suppliant posture, from a seat, bed;
also removal (Thucyd. viii. 75). emil
grafton, expulsion from our dwelling
place, dissolution, building up, erec-
ton, as Of a statue, etc. The verb has
been used. although rarely, to mean rise
from the dead. When used in this latter
sense, however, there is not necessarily
contained in the word itself any refer
ence whatever to the rising of the body.
Its Specification when thus used must be
decided simply and solely by the connec-
ton in which the word stands. Hence,
IN the classic Greek, the term anastasis
is simply the synonym in common par
lance for our rise" and docs not nec-
essarily express rising into condition
OF existence once possessed but lost.
In the Septuagint anastasis occurs
but three times Psalms XIV; 1; Lam. iii.
60 and Zeph. ill., 81. No one would claim
that any one of these three passages had
the remotest connection with the resur-
rection. The verb, il have counted
correctly. occurs 449 times, and is used
in every book except Joel, Zephaniah,
Zechariah and Malachi. The use of the
word is entirely too frequent even for
the staunchest advocate of the carnal
resurrection to base an Argument for
his theory.
The New Testament presents "anis-
tema" 112 times, and in no instance is it
rendered by the word resurrection or
any of its derivatives. Both the noun
and the verb are used in the New Tesla
ment in the simple sense Of rising"
"rise,' or raise" thus preserving it's
classic meaning. and also occurs with no
reference whatever to the dead. In
proof of this the following passages may
be instanced: HE is set for the fall and
rising (amastasin) of many in Israel"
Luke ii. 81; HE arose (amastus9 and fol-
lowed him." Matt tx, 9; xxi. 24s He
shall raise up (onasteseiJ seed to- his
brother Mark iii, &C. etc.
Tho pnup onnefooso ;e, ,,c,,ollx 49,.
nected. in the New Testament, with our
existence beyond the grave, or rather
with the act of rising from these earthly
bodies and passing into heavenlycon-
dition, or state.
Concluding Remarks.
In concluding my remarks desire to,
call attention to the following observa-
tions:
The Bible nowhere speaks of spiritu-
allied matter.
The Bible nowhere speaks of there
creation of our physical bodies. To near
ly the whole human race it would not
be resurrection but a re creation of the
ply steal bodies.
There is no text which teaches di-
rectly or by implication the necessity
for resurrection OF the carnal bodies.
Every text finds its full and satisfacto-
ry explanation without implying that
dogma at all.
1t is undeniably implied throughout
the New Testament that the spirit does
not parieb With tho bodv
No text speaks of the resurrection of
the flesh.
The expression is simply "the resur-
rection of the dead" of them that
slept"
II "the dead" meant carnal bodies why
are we not so informed?
Angels are not thought to have mate
rial bodies. Why then re animate the
once carnal bodies of men with immortal
natures?
| Are the grave bodies necessary for the
| Identification of immortal spirits?. IL
not wherein does the necessity arise?
| Advocates of the carnal resurrection,
| in funeral discourses, teach that the
Christian goes Immediately to heaven.
Why should the spirit, at some time in
the far distant future. be called to re-
enter cast off body?
Carefully considering all the evidence.
both pro and con, it is no wonder that
such men as DIR. E. G. Robinson, for
merly President of the University OF
Rochester, was forced to indite. Few, il
any intelligent persons who have reflect
ed at all on the doctrine of the resurrec-
ton, can, at this day. think, suppose
any part of the body laid in the grave is
to rise with US at our resurrection. No
just conception of personal identity re-
quires it, even if the laws Of matter did
not teach us its simple impossibility."
So Nitzsch says: The body of those
who are raised is not the corrupted nor
the corruptible one. The ever becoming
and transient material does not partici-
pate identically in the resurrection"