Michael Brooks
Catholics believe in the resurrection of the body, also known as the resurrection of the flesh, which is considered an essential Christian doctrine. This belief is based on the idea that Jesus will physically raise those who have died, returning to them the same bodies they had in their earthly life. These bodies will be transformed into a glorified state, free from suffering, sickness, and pain, and will be reunited with their souls. This doctrine is supported by various creeds and professions of faith within the Catholic Church, including the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. The resurrection is often referred to as a dogma of the faith, giving hope to Catholics for the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of resurrection | Physical resurrection of the body, also called "resurrectio carnis", "resurrectio mortuorum", "anastasis ton nekron" or "resurrection of the flesh" |
| Nature of resurrected body | Same as the body in earthly life, but glorified, impassible, free from defects, radiant, agile, and completely spiritualized |
| Who will be resurrected? | All men, whether elect or reprobate |
| Relation to Christian faith | Essential Christian doctrine; the Christian faith cannot exist without it |
| Relation to Catholic faith | An article of faith, a dogma |
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What You'll Learn
The resurrection of Christ
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterates this long-held teaching:
> "We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess. We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a 'spiritual body'."
This doctrine is considered essential to the Christian faith. The apostle Paul declared:
> "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished."
The Catholic Church teaches that this physical resurrection is not just a future event but also has present implications. It is believed that Christians have the commandments of Jesus Christ impressed upon their hearts as they await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. This belief provides a sense of purpose and meaning, as followers of Christ are called to live their lives in anticipation of this future resurrection, striving to follow Christ's teachings and commandments.
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The resurrection of the body
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess. We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a 'spiritual body' (cf. 1 Cor 15:42–44)". This idea of a spiritual body is further supported by St. Paul, who wrote, "what is corrupt rises to incorruption; what is ignoble, to glory; what is weak, to strength; and what is a natural body, to a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:35-44).
> "See, too, how for our consolation all nature suggests the future resurrection. The sun sinks down, but is reborn. The stars go out, but return again. Flowers die, but come to life again. After their decay, shrubs put forth leaves again; not unless seeds decay does their strength return. A body in the grave is like the trees in winter: They hide their sap under a deceptive dryness. We must await even the spring of the body." (Octavius 34:11–12 [A.D. 226])
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The survival of the soul
Catholics believe in the survival of the soul and the resurrection of the body. This belief is based on the Bible, which states that when Jesus returns to earth, he will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back their earthly bodies. These bodies will not die again and will be transformed into a glorified state, free from suffering and pain. This doctrine is essential to the Christian faith, as stated by the apostle Paul: "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterates this teaching, stating, "We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess". This belief has been a part of Christian faith since its beginnings, as evidenced by early Christian writings such as the Old Roman Symbol (A.D. 125) and the Letter to the Philippians (A.D. 135).
The resurrection of the body is also known as the "resurrection of the flesh", emphasizing that it is not just the soul that continues after death but the physical body as well. This doctrine is often referred to as the general resurrection or the resurrection of the dead. It gives Catholics hope for the future, as they believe that their long-dead and decomposed bodies will one day be raised up and reunited with their souls.
The bodies of the resurrected will have four "transcendent qualities": impassibility, or freedom from physical evil, death, sickness, and pain; clarity, or freedom from defects, and an endowment with beauty and radiance; agility, or freedom of motion; and subtility, whereby the body is completely spiritualized under the dominion of the soul. These qualities are described in St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, where he writes that what is corrupt rises to incorruption, what is ignoble to glory, what is weak to strength, and what is a natural body to a spiritual body.
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The glorification of Jesus
Jesus' glorification was achieved through the process of "exinanition" and "glorification". "Exinanition" refers to the "emptying out" of his finite human substance and heredity from his mother, Mary. This created space within him for the "glorification" process, wherein his finite humanity was replaced with an infinite Divine Humanity.
Jesus' glorification is intimately connected with his crucifixion. Through the crucifixion, Jesus defeated the power of the Devil, which is the power of all evil. This was his last and greatest trial or temptation, and it completed the process of glorifying his humanity.
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The general resurrection
The resurrection of the body, or the "general resurrection", is a fundamental doctrine of the Catholic Church. It is the belief that, on the last day, the righteous will rise again with the same bodies they had in earthly life. However, these "resurrection bodies" will not die and will be transformed into a glorified state, free from suffering and pain. This belief is based on the premise that humans are composed of body and soul, and that these elements are separated at death.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterates this long-defined teaching:
> "We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess... We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a 'spiritual body'."
The idea of the resurrection of the body has been a part of Christian teaching since its inception. The Bible states that when Jesus returns to earth, he will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back their physical bodies. This belief is further supported by the Apostle Paul, who declared:
> "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished."
The resurrection of the body is often referred to as the "resurrection of the flesh", emphasising the physical nature of the resurrection. This belief is in contrast to the heretical idea proposed by Hymeneus and Philitus, who suggested that the resurrection was not the return to life of the body, but rather the rising of the soul from the death of sin to the life of grace.
The Catholic Church affirms that the resurrection of the body is a dogma or an article of faith, based on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Christian tradition. It is a central tenet of the faith, providing hope for the future and affirming the belief in life after death.
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Frequently asked questions
The resurrection of the body is the belief that when Jesus returns to earth, he will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back the bodies they lost at death.
Catholics believe that the body, committed to the earth, will decay. However, at the end of time, the body will be raised again and reunited with the soul.
The resurrected body will be the same body a person had in their earthly life. However, it will not die and will be transformed into a glorified state, freed from suffering and pain.
Yes, the resurrection of the body is a fundamental doctrine of the Catholic Church. The Bible states that "if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile".
