The Final Triumph of God

Foreword

“Not a page goes by without fresh, satisfying interpretations building on the best recent scholarly work.”

from the foreword byA.Andrew Das

“James Ware’s exposition of 1 Corinthians 15 is a masterpiece of careful exegesis combined with theological insight. On the one hand, Ware defends a traditional and historically rooted conception of the resurrection. On the other hand, there are numerous fresh exegetical insights that characterize his exposition. No other study on 1 Corinthians 15 surpasses Ware’s work.”

Thomas R. Schreiner

“This eminently important study exposes a fatal neglect of detail in recent readings of 1 Corinthians 15 and showcases how crucial exacting exegesis is to reaching sound conclusions. No rebuttal will be adequate that can’t demonstrate its case on the same terms.”

Timothy A. Brookins

“Through this incomparably thorough exegesis of 1 Corinthians 15, James Ware provides scholars, teachers, and preachers with a remarkably detailed treatment of the climax of Paul’s letter. Ware is fully abreast of recent scholarship on the letter as well as the history of its interpretation. His work is brimming with insights based on subtleties of the Greek language and incisive assessment of the exegetical arguments of those who have gone before him. Anyone wrestling with this historically and theologically important chapter of Paul’s letter will need to carefully consider the results of his painstaking work.”

Roy E. Ciampa

“While churches around the world still regularly confess ‘the resurrection of the body’ in the Apostles’ Creed, theologians have increasingly reinterpreted this as some sort of spiritual resurrection. Ware lays out in detail the weaknesses of such arguments while providing a persuasive close reading of Paul’s great resurrection chapter. In the process he convincingly demonstrates that the physical bodily resurrection of Christ and of his people is the centerpiece of the Apostle’s letter and his theology. The Final Triumph of God is itself a triumph of scholarship that will profit every theologian, exegete, and apologist.”

Glen L. Thompson

“Fully conversant with the Greco-Roman context, interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15 in the early church, and current secondary literature, this book is the most thorough and up-to-date commentary on 1 Corinthians 15 available. Ware’s careful exegesis, accented by sharp theological insight, breaks new ground in solving some of the chapter’s conundrums. The book provides readers a rich understanding of Paul’s resurrection theology, and I can’t recommend it enough!”

Andy Johnson

“I have never read a book that so clearly and precisely explains 1 Corinthians 15 and Paul’s thoughts on resurrection. In Ware’s book, exegesis and theology embrace each other in fascinating and persuasive ways. Fresh light is cast on details as well as the ideas at play in this chapter. Ware critiques the widely held opinion that Paul, unlike the Gospels, held a spiritual view of the resurrection. This is a must read for scholars as well as students!”

Karl Olav Sandnes