Objection · Case 06 · Problem of Evil
“Death is swallowed up in victory” hasn’t happened. People still die. Doesn’t two thousand years of “not yet” look like a promise that failed?
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
Paul is explicit that the victory is inaugurated, not complete: Christ is the firstfruits and the rest follows at his coming. Whether two thousand years is too long is a fair question, and the New Testament writers themselves expected sooner; the second letter of Peter, cited later in this case, is the fullest early answer to that delay. What this claim asserts is that Scripture presents the resurrection as a verdict already rendered, which is what the text says, not that the sentence has been fully carried out.
About this exhibit
This objection is to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians on death defeated.
Paul writes that at the resurrection an old promise comes true, “Death is swallowed up in victory,” and then taunts death, asking where its sting has gone. For Paul the resurrection is not a private…
Under Claim 03: Scripture presents the resurrection of Jesus as God’s declaration that death and evil do not get the last word.