THEORIA
Explore full early church libraryExplore library
Library
  1. Library
  2. St. Athenagoras of Athens
  3. On the Resurrection of the Dead
EschatologyChristology

On the Resurrection of the Dead

St. Athenagoras of Athens · c. 177 AD

58 min read
Ante-Nicene

A philosophical treatise defending the Christian doctrine of bodily resurrection against Greek philosophical objections. Transmitted under Athenagoras's name, its authorship is disputed.

Table of Contents

1Defence of the Truth Should Precede Discussions Regarding It2A Resurrection is Not Impossible3He Who Could Create, Can Also Raise Up the Dead4Objection from the Fact that Some Human Bodies Have Become Part of Others5Reference to the Processes of Digestion and Nutrition6Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected7The Resurrection-Body Different from the Present8Human Flesh Not the Proper or Natural Food of Men9Absurdity of Arguing from Man’s Impotency10It Cannot Be Shown that God Does Not Will a Resurrection11Recapitulation12Argument for the Resurrection from the Purpose Contemplated in Man’s Creation13Continuation of the Argument14The Resurrection Does Not Rest Solely on the Fact of a Future Judgment15Argument for the Resurrection from the Nature of Man16Analogy of Death and Sleep, and Consequent Argument for the Resurrection17The Series of Changes We Can Now Trace in Man Renders a Resurrection Probable18Judgment Must Have Reference Both to Soul and Body: There Will Therefore Be a Resurrection19Man Would Be More Unfavourably Situated Than the Beasts If There Were No Resurrection20Man Must Be Possessed Both of a Body and Soul Hereafter, that the Judgment Passed Upon Him May Be Just21Continuation of the Argument22Continuation of the Argument23Continuation of the Argument24Argument for the Resurrection from the Chief End of Man25Argument Continued and Concluded
Icon of St. Athenagoras of Athens