The master's thesis titled »The development of faith in the resurrection in light of some important Old testament passages (Eze 37:1-14; Dan 12:1-3; 2 Macc 7:1-42) and in light of the New testament« explores the progressive development of Jewish faith in the resurrection of the dead. The author, through an exegetical analysis of three Old Testament passages and biblical-theological commentary, follows the chronological growth of this hope, strengthened by crucial historical events such as the Babylonian exile and the persecutions under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
The first chapter analyzes Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones (Eze 37:1-14), a symbol of the spiritual resurrection of the people and the restoration of their relationship with God after the exile. The second chapter examines Daniel’s apocalyptic vision (Dan 12:1-3), which introduces for the first time the idea of a universal resurrection, although without a clear physical dimension yet. The third chapter focuses on the martyrdom of the Maccabean brothers (2 Macc 7:1-42), who already express faith in the concrete bodily resurrection and the expectation of divine justice.
The fourth chapter presents the fulfillment in the New Testament with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, highlighting four key novelties: the personal aspect (Christ as the »firstborn«), the active aspect (the Father's »yes« to humanity), the sacrificial aspect (Christ’s sacrifice surpasses martyrdom), and the bodily aspect (transformed physicality). Finally, Saint Francis of Assisi is presented as an example of living faith in the resurrection, who accepts death as a transition to a new life (»sister death«), trusting in the God, who gives life even beyond death.
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