Print

By Tyson Thorne

April 30, 2014
 
 

AscensionTheology large

While we’ve made some fun observations about the ascension passage, it should be noted that this is a crucial point of Christian theology almost as important as the resurrection itself. There are few theological points as crucial as the big six: immaculate conception, sinless life, physical death, physical resurrection, bodily ascension, and eminent return. These are the key theologies of the faith, one of which is in the passage we study today.

The gospels of Luke and Mark are the only two that tell about this remarkable event. There are some who debate if the ending of Mark, which includes the ascension narrative, was written by the disciple himself. There are textual reasons for their opinion, and some historic evidence to suggest it may have been penned by Ariston, an early church father. Regardless of the authorship, it does seem to borrow a lot from the book of Acts and doesn’t contradict any other passages of Scripture. Since it is included in the majority of surviving copies of the book, it could be stated with some certainty that it ought to be included in the Bible. This is only important to mention as it would make Luke the only disciple present at the ascension of Jesus who actually wrote about it.

This has led some to believe (a group called the Jesus Seminar, to be precise) that the ascension never actually occurred, or if it did no one was there to witness it. Clearly those who take such a view do not believe in the inspiration and authority of the Bible and instead prefer to sit in judgment of the Scriptures -- as if that were something humanity were capable of.

The importance of the event itself is weighted by the theology we derive from it. For instance, we know Jesus came in the flesh and died in the flesh. Jesus took the time to assure the disciples in Luke 24 that he also resurrected bodily from the grave. This resurrected body, however, was not like Lazarus’ whom Jesus had raised from the dead a couple months earlier, this was a new body like those believers will receive when Jesus comes again. Jesus continuing on in a human body, albeit in a glorified state, gives dignity to all humanity. Furthermore, we learn how Jesus is to come the second time around – this time it will not be in the form of a baby but rather he will descend from the sky for all to see. So important is this event that Paul would write about its significance as “amazing revelation” in 1 Timothy 3.16 and the author of Hebrews would raise attention to it in chapter 10 verse 12 as part of the work of reconciling man to God.

Therefore, while we may have fun by trying to imagine what the specifics were like, we ought to also remember the significance and deep spiritual truths the event portrays.