Union with the Resurrected Christ: Eschatological New Creation and New Testament Biblical Theology

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 monumental A New Testament Biblical Theology, G. K. Beale summarizes and expands on that work with an eye to fleshing out the theological implications of the resurrection and ascension. Beale explains that Christ's resurrection and 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. These eschatological realities attributed to Christ are imprinted on believers through their dynamic union and identification with him. Through careful exegesis, Beale explores these facets and deliberately draws out important practical applications for everyday Christian living in the overlap of the old creation and the new. Students of the New Testament will benefit from this important contribution to New Testament theology.

Publisher: Baker
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9781540960429

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G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He has served as president and as a member of the executive committee of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is coeditor (with D. A. Carson) of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and the author of numerous books, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, and commentaries on Colossians and Philemon, Revelation, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

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"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., professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary