The Resurrection and You: How the Resurrection Answers Your Biggest Questions

By Deven K. MacDonald

In this book, MacDonald argues that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is not only true, but transformative. More than a topic of debate, the resurrection offers important answers to life's most significant questions: What happens when I die? Is there a God out there somewhere? Is God active in human history? If the resurrection isn't true, then Christianity isn't true. But if the resurrection of Jesus is true, then everything changes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781666794700

Deven K. MacDonald

Deven K. MacDonald is currently the lead pastor at Summerside Community Church in London, Ontario. He is the author of Allegiance, Opposition, and Misunderstanding (2018).

Book preview

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The Resurrection and You

How the Resurrection Answers Your Biggest Questions

Deven K. MacDonald

The Resurrection and You

How the Resurrection Answers Your Biggest Questions

Copyright © 2022 Devin K. MacDonald. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

Resource Publications

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3

Eugene, OR 97401

www.wipfandstock.com

paperback isbn: 978-1-6667-3643-4

hardcover isbn: 978-1-6667-9469-4

ebook isbn: 978-1-6667-9470-0

June 8, 2022 5:20 PM

Table of Contents

Title Page

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: The Non-Negotiables

Chapter 3: Alternative Explanations for the Resurrection

Chapter 4: Evidence for the Resurrection

Chapter 5: How the Resurrection Answers Our Big Questions

Chapter 6: The Resurrection of Jesus Is Not Just True, It’s Transformational

Chapter 7: The Resurrection and You

Bibliography

To my wife, Heather. Thank you for modeling the truth and the transforming power of the resurrection in everyday life. You make marriage easy. All my love, forever.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to make it a point to thank several people and to ask forgiveness of anyone I’ve omitted or overlooked in doing so! There are too many people to recognize, even for a short work such as this.

Thank you to those who provided an initial review and careful read of the first draft: Rev. Nathan Klahsen, Pastor Luke Cuthbert, Nathan Scott, and Tyler Legouffe for help with design. Thank you as well to Matthew Damstra for his early help in compiling some research and in the preliminary transcription process. My editor, Kerry Wilson, did a fantastic job of ensuring consistency across the board. It was a pleasure to work with Kerry, and I look forward to future projects together. Any mistakes in print are entirely my fault.

To the elders and staff at Summerside Community Church, I am deeply grateful, not only to serve alongside you, but also for the room, space, and quiet that you provided for me in the writing process. I am forever indebted to Rev. Mark Cuthbert for his wisdom, input, and advice on this and every other project (not to mention for allowing me access to his theological library). Thank you also to Liz Fildey for daily help in countless ways. The people of Summerside have helped me refine my communication by allowing me to stand up every Sunday, open God’s Word, and teach about the power of the resurrection in our everyday lives.

I am eternally grateful to my wife, Heather, for years of living out the power of the resurrection and new life in our family and home. Apart from God’s grace in salvation, you have been his greatest gift to me.

Abbreviations

Old Testament

Gen Genesis

Ps/Pss Psalms

Isa Isaiah

New Testament

Matt Matthew

Rom Romans

1–2 Cor 1–2 Corinthians

Gal Galatians

Phil Philippians

1–2 Tim 1–2 Timothy

Jas James

1–2 Pet 1–2 Peter

Rev Revelation

1

Introduction

I think it was a Halloween party. At least I hope it was a Halloween party, because I distinctly remember being dressed up like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat . I didn’t know many people there that night, and my wife was caught up in another conversation, so I did what I do best—head to the snacks. I stood around making small talk and connected with a guy I had encountered a few times throughout the city. His name is Dave. ¹ We got chatting, and he asked me what I did for work. Now, I love being a pastor. It’s what God has called me to do. But I do recognize that the times have passed when Reverends or Holy Men where held in high esteem. In the twenty-first century in Canada, being a pastor just isn’t that cool.

So I told him what I did for a job. This led to a bunch of other questions, and from there the conversation really got going. I sensed an opening and began to ask him about his beliefs. After talking about the idea of God and if he exists, the Bible, the differences between my church and the Catholic church, the differences between Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity, and a host of other topics (intense conversation for a Halloween party, I know), I began to feel like we were treading water. He was all over the place, and in many ways, so was I. As we continued chatting and making a serious dent in the three-cheese dip, I remember thinking, What can I offer him? What can I leave with him to encourage him to seriously consider Jesus? Then it dawned on me—let’s talk about the resurrection of Jesus.

For the next twenty minutes, or at least until I was getting dirty looks for eating all the snacks (and no, I didn’t double dip), we talked about Jesus’ resurrection. It was a tremendous opportunity, one of those rare encounters where there is real dialogue, openness, and a careful consideration of the opposing viewpoint. It was great. Unfortunately, Dave didn’t fall to his knees, repent, and recognize Jesus as Lord. In fact, I don’t see him around that much anymore, but I do try to pray for him whenever he comes to mind.

That night, I went home and remember having two thoughts. The first was that the resurrection of Jesus is tight. I mean, after sharing and talking about it with Dave and answering his questions, I was struck again by the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. I am so thankful for this. My second thought was that the Apostle Paul was right when he explained that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead really is the linchpin for our faith (1 Cor 15). If Jesus rose from the dead, then this whole Jesus-Bible-God-supernatural stuff is true.

It all comes back to the resurrection.

Are You Dave?

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re like Dave. Maybe you have a hundred questions, or a bunch of beliefs, or maybe exploring faith just