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On the Resurrection of the Dead

Athenagoras of Athens · c. 180 AD

Ante-Nicene Fathers (Roberts–Donaldson), Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe (eds.), Ante-Nicene Fathers, Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing, 1885–1887; digitized by CCEL.

Athenian Christian philosopher who addressed his Plea for the Christians to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, refuting popular charges of atheism, incest, and cannibalism. Also wrote a treatise On the Resurrection of the Dead.

Contents

  1. Chapter I.—Defence of the Truth Should Precede Discussions Regarding It.
  2. Chapter II.—A Resurrection is Not Impossible.
  3. Chapter III.—He Who Could Create, Can Also Raise Up the Dead.
  4. Chapter IV.—Objection from the Fact that Some Human Bodies Have Become Part of Others.
  5. Chapter V.—Reference to the Processes of Digestion and Nutrition.
  6. Chapter VI.—Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected.
  7. Chapter VII.—The Resurrection-Body Different from the Present.
  8. Chapter VIII.—Human Flesh Not the Proper or Natural Food of Men.
  9. Chapter IX.—Absurdity of Arguing from Man’s Impotency.
  10. Chapter X.—It Cannot Be Shown that God Does Not Will a Resurrection.
  11. Chapter XI.—Recapitulation.
  12. Chapter XII.—Argument for the Resurrection from the Purpose Contemplated in Man’s Creation.
  13. Chapter XIII.—Continuation of the Argument.
  14. Chapter XIV.—The Resurrection Does Not Rest Solely on the Fact of a Future Judgment.
  15. Chapter XV.—Argument for the Resurrection from the Nature of Man.
  16. Chapter XVI—Analogy of Death and Sleep, and Consequent Argument for the Resurrection.
  17. Chapter XVII.—The Series of Changes We Can Now Trace in Man Renders a Resurrection Probable.
  18. Chapter XVIII.—Judgment Must Have Reference Both to Soul and Body: There Will Therefore Be a Resurrection.
  19. Chapter XIX.—Man Would Be More Unfavourably Situated Than the Beasts If There Were No Resurrection.
  20. Chapter XX.—Man Must Be Possessed Both of a Body and Soul Hereafter, that the Judgment Passed Upon Him May Be Just.
  21. Chapter XXI.—Continuation of the Argument.
  22. Chapter XXII.—Continuation of the Argument.
  23. Chapter XXIII.—Continuation of the Argument.
  24. Chapter XXIV.—Argument for the Resurrection from the Chief End of Man.
  25. Chapter XXV.—Argument Continued and Concluded.