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Theological Glossary

What is Resurrection?

Six Christian traditions define Resurrection below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.

Content review notice: Initial release — under theological review. Positions summarize official denominational sources; named reviewers from each tradition are being onboarded.

Catholic

The Catholic Church teaches that at the end of time Christ will raise all the dead — the just to eternal life and the wicked to judgment — with their own bodies, transformed and glorified. It holds that Christ's own bodily resurrection is the pledge and pattern of ours.

Source: CCC 988–1004 ↗

Orthodox

The Orthodox Church confesses in the Nicene Creed 'the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come,' teaching that all people will be raised bodily at Christ's second coming. It holds that the resurrected body will be the same body, transfigured by incorruption.

Source: The Orthodox Faith, Vol. I — Resurrection ↗

Lutheran

Lutherans teach that at Christ's return all the dead will be raised bodily — the godly to eternal life and the ungodly to eternal punishment. They hold that Christ's resurrection guarantees the believer's, and that the body, sown in dishonor, will be raised in glory.

Source: Augsburg Confession, Art. XVII; 1 Corinthians 15 ↗

Reformed

The Reformed tradition teaches that at the last day all the dead shall be raised with the same bodies (though with different qualities) that were laid in the grave, united again to their souls forever. It holds that the bodies of the unjust are raised to dishonor, and of the just to honor.

Source: Westminster Confession 32.2–32.3 ↗

Baptist

Baptists teach that at Christ's return there will be a bodily resurrection of both the just and the unjust — the just to everlasting blessedness and the unjust to everlasting punishment. They hold that Christ's own resurrection with a glorified body is the guarantee of the believer's resurrection.

Source: BFM 2000, X; II.B ↗

Methodist

Methodists affirm the resurrection of the dead — the righteous to life eternal and the wicked to endless condemnation. They hold that Christ's risen body is the first example of what ours will be when we too are raised at the last day.

Source: Ask the UMC: What Do We Mean by Resurrection ↗

Explore in depth

See how the traditions compare on related topics: