As seen in all the texts discussed previously, the final resurrection of the dead holds equal importance to both Christians and Jews. "Here is where Judaism and Christianity come together: the belief in a resurrection of the dead” (Neusner, 2006). According to Robert Saucy, "the same themes of the future life that were initiated in the Old Testament and developed in intertestamental times are taken up in the New Testament and brought to completion” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 1979). And in spite of the differences in Christology, Jesus' resurrection is the only thing that can bridge the river from the "Judaic" pillar to the newly formed "Christian" pillar (N. T. Wright, 2003).
Nickelsburg admits that, even though nascent Christianity was conceived in the matrix of 1st century apocalyptic Judaism, we knew very little about the particulars until now (Nickelsburg, 2003). However, the recent surge in Jewish and Christian research into the entire collection of widely varied literature leading up to, during, and after Jesus' time can help us to better understand our present-day Jewish and Christian beliefs in the resurrection.
Following are the main sections of the Conclusion resulting from the study and analysis of the resurrection texts in this book. To read this final section, please refer to the Chapter 9 of the book.
1. Common Early Elements of Eschatology
a. Messiah Ben Joseph and Messiah Ben David
b. Redemption through Repentance
c. Human Atonement for Sin
d. Unity of Many Gentiles and Jews prior to
Resurrection
Resurrection
e. Personal/National Resurrection, Messianic
Age, and World to Come
Age, and World to Come
2. Spiritual/Cosmic Results of the Resurrection
a. Tension between God's Mercy and Justice
Resolved
Resolved
b. Human Immortality in Imperishable Body
Form
c. Humanity Restored to the Divine Image
d. God's Promises to all His People Fulfilled
Form
c. Humanity Restored to the Divine Image
d. God's Promises to all His People Fulfilled
3. Modern Jewish versus Christian Worldviews
a. Same yet Different
b. Different yet Same
4. Christians and Jews Together?
a. The New Covenant
b. Jewish Responsibility
c. Christian Responsibility
