Patrick Schreiner - Ascension of Christ: Recovering a neglected doctrine

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

RECOVERING A NEGLECTED DOCTRINE

Patrick Schreiner

SNAPSHOTS

MICHAEL F. BIRD, SERIES EDITOR

The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine

Snapshots, edited by Michael F. Bird

Copyright 2020 Patrick Schreiner

Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

LexhamPress.com

All rights reserved. You may use brief quotations from this resource in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, please write Lexham Press for permission.

Email us at .

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version ( RSV ), copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Print ISBN 9781683593973

Digital ISBN 9781683593980

Library of Congress Control Number 2020935536

Series Editor: Michael F. Bird

Lexham Editorial: Derek Brown, Claire Brubaker, Allisyn Ma, David Bomar

Cover Design: Brittany Schrock

CONTENTS

My interest in the ascension was birthed in another project. As I composed an introduction to an Acts commentary , I argued for the centrality of the ascension in Lukes imagination. My sense was Paul and the rest of the New Testament writers sustained this stream of thought in their writings. I expanded my view a little and began to see the ascension everywhere. The continuing reign and life of the enthroned Christ is the theological core and narrative heart of Acts and the basis for the rest of the New Testament. It was not that I had denied the ascension before; I simply hadnt articulated its significance in my own thinking processes.

Because it had been helpful in my own study, when I met Derek Brown of Lexham Press at the famous Portland restaurant Por Qu No? I pitched the idea of doing a book on the ascension, and Derek said, Why not? Thanks goes to Western Seminary, who allowed me time to work on this project, especially Chuck Conniry, who has been supportive of my writing projects. Thanks also to all who read the manuscript and made it much better than it was originally.

Derek Brown read it carefully and pointed out where my language or concepts were confusing. My father read an early draft, providing helpful exegetical suggestions. Peter Orr sent me an early version of his New Studies in Biblical Theology book and pointed out a few places I contradicted myself especially in regard to presence and absence. Tim Harmon clarified a few arguments from a systematic-theology perspective. My fellow pastor Jared Pulliam helped me distinguish between the ascension as a climax and Jesus return as a climax. My colleague Ryan Lister provided helpful writing-style feedback and many comma insertions. Gerry Breshears pointed out places where I was less than clear. Matt Emerson did more than make sure I capitalized Pride Rock, but also did that. Bobby Jamieson sent me his work on Christs heavenly work and challenged me to think more carefully about Christs heavenly priesthood. Gavin Ortlund also pointed me to some resources he had either written or worked through. Phillip Howell noted some mistakes and pointed me to a few key articles.

My initial outline had Christs activities identified as empowering his witnesses, Christs heavenly intercession, and installed as Lord. I changed it to building his church, interceding in heaven, and reigning over all because in our church we were using the Ligonier christological statement as our corporate confession. I found that these better summed up my points.

Finally, gratitude goes out to the baristas at Heart Coffee on Woodstock, where I spent most of my time writing. They endured me in their shop for long days and continual tea refills. The soundtrack for this book includes many Spotify playlists, but I kept returning to a few artists, who should also be thanked: The National, First Aid Kit, Amos Lee, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, LP, Ludovico Einaudi, Nicholas Britell, and Max Richter.

T he arc of the moral universe is long, but the Messiahs ascension determines its finale. However, the ascension is often overlooked. Yet, it is a key moment in the good-news story and a crucial hinge for Christs threefold work as prophet, priest, and king. This book is a short attempt to give the Christs ascent better narrative and theological positioning.

The ascension (rising) of Christ refers to Jesus going up from earth into heaven. His session (sitting) speaks of Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father. These are two closely linked stages of Christs exaltation and triumph, but in a real sense the ascent is the journey, while sitting is the goal. I will largely view them as a singular script. They both install Jesus to glory and declare him to be triumphant. When I refer to the ascension, I imply the session. When I refer to the session, I imply the ascension. Jesus ascends, sits, is currently sitting, and will come back to judge the quick and the dead.

My goal is to help people think through this piece of the Jesus event and impress its importance. I will do so not by tracing the whole story of the Scriptures, but by examining this event from the perspective of the threefold office of the Messiah: prophet, priest, and king ( munus triplex ).

I structure it this way for three reasons. First, the threefold office highlights how Christ fulfilled key vocations in the old covenant. Second, all of these offices can also be viewed under the banner of anointed offices, which fills out how Jesus is the Messiah. Finally, by examining these three offices, we can more precisely speak of Christs exaltation and triumph.

The basic assertion is the ascension is a key plot moment, a hinge on which Christs work turns. It not only authorizes and endorses Jesus work, but continues Christs three roles. The ascent culminates Christs earthly work and marks a shift in Christs function as prophet, priest, and king. Gerrit Scott Dawson writes, The ascension dynamically draws our attention to the full range of the present [and future] work of Christ.

Before, Christ was prophet on the earth; now he builds his church as the prophet in heaven. Before, he was a priest on the earth; now he intercedes as our heavenly priest. Before, he was worshiped as the king of the Jews; now he has been installed as the Lord of heaven and earth.

Without the ascension, Christs work is incomplete. Without the ascension, a huge hole stands open in the story. Without the ascension, other doctrines become skewed. My prayer is that this book will be a help to those who desire to know Christs full work better and serve his people more faithfully.

It is remarkable how little mention the ascension gets these days. Once it was seen as the climax of the mystery of Christ. Today it is something of an embarrassment.

Douglas Farrow

A few years ago, I started listening to audiobooks. One thing I immediately noticed with audiobooks is you end up stopping at odd junctures. I used the program when I was in the car, when I exercised, or when I got ready for the day. When that specific task was finished, it was time to hit pause.

This differs from reading a physical book, where typically a more natural ending point exists. With audiobooks, the hiatus might come at a key moment. I remember listening to the book Ready Player One . I pulled up to our house right when the protagonist said, And then we all died.