Union with the Resurrected Christ

Description

Union with Christ is an important theological and practical concept that has received considerable attention in recent years. But not much consideration has been given to this union and its benefits in light of Jesus’s resurrection and ascension.

In this follow-up to his bestselling A New Testament Biblical Theology, G. K. Beale summarizes and expands on that work with an eye to fleshing out the theology and theological implications of the resurrection and ascension. Beale explains that Christ’s resurrection-ascension place him as the beginning of the eschatological fulfillment of the new creational kingdom. Specifically, Christ is the fulfillment of a cluster of nineteen Old Testament end-time expectations, which Beale pictures as facets of a diamond that represent the resurrection-ascension. These eschatological realities attributed to Christ are imprinted on believers through dynamic union or identification with him. Through careful exegesis, Beale draws out important practical applications for everyday Christian living in the overlap of the old creation and the new.“Impressive for its comprehensive scope and penetrating insights”

This sequel to G. K. Beale’s renowned A New Testament Biblical Theology fleshes out nineteen significant theological realities and benefits of the believer’s union with the resurrected Christ.

“This volume captures Beale at his best. He creatively draws connections between texts across the canon to craft an attractive biblical-theological picture of God’s revelation in Scripture. His focus on resurrection brings an emphasis much needed in today’s theological landscape.”–Douglas Moo, Wheaton College

“This volume represents the matured culmination of much of Beale’s decades-long biblical-theological work. Impressive for its comprehensive scope and penetrating insights, it focuses on the climactic centrality of the resurrection and ascension of Christ in the history of redemption and the inseparable and multifaceted saving benefits flowing from union with Christ specifically as resurrected. It is fairly read as providing, as he says, a virtual ‘encyclopedia’ of that union. A valuable feature is the frequent ‘application’ sections throughout. Truly a magnum opus, I commend its careful reading and study.”
—Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Westminster Theological Seminary (emeritus)

“G. K. Beale contributes yet another study that would constitute a magnum opus for most authors–but which for him just adds to a substantial list of groundbreaking publications. Beale approaches union with Christ from fresh angles and with comprehensive breadth, exegetical rigor, and dozens of practical applications. I am not aware of another book that demonstrates so sweepingly the relevance of Christ’s resurrection and ascension to believers’ union with him in its rich benefits and inexhaustible glories.”
—Robert W. Yarbrough, Covenant Theological Seminary

“For years now, biblical scholars have stressed the participatory features in the New Testament authors’ understanding of salvation and the Christian life. Building on his biblical theology tome, Beale pulls together the rich diversity of the New Testament to identify the central theme: believers become united with, participate in, identify with, and are incorporated into Christ in his resurrection even as they strive to live consistently with that reality. We fully share in what is his. Ultimately, coursing through the pages of Beale’s study is a sense of the victory that Christ’s own share in the new creation and the Spirit–a timely and powerful message.”
—A. Andrew Das, Elmhurst University

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