Current Theme | April 2026
Resurrection in the Old Testament
Since the Fall, death has dominated the world. But Jesus thundered: “Lazarus, come forth!”—and a dead man walked alive: a vivid preview of the Messiah’s resurrection. Truly, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. But is resurrection only a New Testament hope? This month, we investigate how resurrection from the dead—especially on a third day—is, in fact, “in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4) and the “God of the living” who inspired them (Mark 12:27). From Jonah’s three days in the fish to Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, from David’s cry for life to Job’s declaration that he shall see God . . . join us as we walk from death to life in the pages of the Old Testament.
Table of Contents
Concise
Genesis 22, A Parabolic Shadow and Foreshadowing Prophecy: “Abraham . . . Received Isaac Back from the Dead in A Parable” (Hebrews 11:19)
By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • April 3
Parabolically speaking, the author of Hebrews speaks of the near sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22 as a resurrection. But what does this mean?
Longform
The Seeds of Resurrection Hope in the Scriptures
By Stephen Dempster • Longform Essay • April 6
The resurrection of Christ on the third day is a key piece of the gospel message. Did the idea of a third day resurrection come from nowhere, or was this event foreshadowed by the Old Testament?
Podcast
5.20 Stephen Dempster • Reading • “The Seeds of Resurrection Hope in the Scriptures”
By Stephen Dempster • Reading • April 6th, 2026
The resurrection of Christ on the third day is a key piece of the gospel message. Did the idea of a third day resurrection come from nowhere, or was this event foreshadowed by the Old Testament?
Concise
Resurrection Typology in the Birth of Isaac
By Thomas J. Sculthorpe • Concise Article • April 8
Barrenness is death. But it is not the end of the story. God shines resurrection hope even into barrenness. We see this in Genesis: Sarah’s womb, dead in barrenness, is brought to life in the birth of Isaac.
Concise
Can These Dry Bones Live?: Resurrection in Ezekiel
By Peter J. Gentry • Concise Article • April 10
For many, the resurrection is a feature of the New Testament and not the Old. The prophet Ezekiel begs to differ!
Concise
Psalm 16: “Rise Heart, Thy Lord is Risen”
By Brad Baugham • Concise Article • April 10
We hear a voice of bravado sing around the graveside of Psalm 16—was that king David, or did it have a more Galilean ring? The Apostles heard the voice too, and they are confident of its source. Arise, O heart!
Podcast
5.21 David Schrock, Trent Hunter, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “The Seeds of Resurrection Hope in the Scriptures”
By David Schrock, Trent Hunter, Stephen Wellum • Interview • April 14th, 2026
Join David Schrock, Trent Hunter, and Stephen Wellum as they discuss Stephen Dempster's COA Longform Essay "The Seeds of Resurrection Hope in the Scriptures"
Concise
Good News for Blemished Priests: A Resurrection Meditation on Leviticus 21
By David Schrock • Concise Article • April 15
In Leviticus 21, blemished priests are barred from approaching God. How can that be good news, especially for disabled Christians today? Yet this passage points beyond itself. Only the unblemished approach God, but in Christ, the blemish are raised unblemished.
Concise
Those Who Sleep Shall Awake: The Fullest Old Testament Expression of Resurrection Hope
By Mitch Chase • Concise Article • April 17
The book of Daniel can be cryptic and challenging to interpret. However, when we read closely, Daniel gives us a picture of resurrection hope!
Longform
On the Third Day: Seeing Resurrection from Beginning to End
By David Schrock • Longform Essay • April 20
The theme of resurrection is prominent in scripture from its very first pages until the end. See how it is present in the creation account of Genesis.
Podcast
5.22 David Schrock • Reading • “On the Third Day: Seeing Resurrection from Beginning to End”
By David Schrock • Reading • April 20th, 2026
The theme of resurrection is prominent in scripture from its very first pages until the end. See how it is present in the creation account of Genesis.
Concise
Vindication and Resurrection in Job 19:25–27
By Richard P. Belcher, Jr. • Concise Article • April 22
The gavel strikes. The courtroom falls silent. Is Job innocent or guilty as his friends claim? His life hangs in the balance; his vindication will bring life.
Concise
The Return of the King: Death, Resurrection, and Ascension in Psalms 22–24
By Doug Ponder • Concise Article • April 23
Jesus is the forsaken one in Psalm 22, the one who survives the shadow of death in Psalm 23, and the victorious one in Psalm 24. Together, these three Psalms tell the story of his death, resurrection, and ascension.
Concise
Hymns of Death, Hymns of Life: Resurrection in the Psalms & Psalter
By Nicholas Piotrowski • Concise Article • April 27
In Luke 24:44, Jesus tells his disciples that the Old Testament pointed towards his own death and resurrection. See how the Psalms and the Psalter reflect this truth.
Podcast
5.23 David Schrock, Trent Hunter, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “On the Third Day: Seeing Resurrection from Beginning to End”
By David Schrock, Trent Hunter, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • April 27th, 2026
Listen in as Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum interview David Schrock on his COA Longform essay, "On the Third Day: Seeing Resurrection from Beginning to End"
Concise
“Out of the Belly of Sheol”: Jonah’s Prophecy of a Risen Substitute
By Cory Chilcote • Concise Article • April 28
Jesus says that no sign will be given to his generation except the sign of Jonah. How exactly is Jonah a sign that relates to Jesus's death and resurrection? Does Jesus = Jonah?
Concise
April Intermission: From Old Testament Resurrection to the Crossroads of Eastern Orthodoxy
By Kevin McClure • Concise Article • May 1st
Check out all our articles on the resurrection in the Old Testament, and then come to the crossroads of East and West as we examine Eastern Orthodoxy.
Showing Slide 1 of 18
Recommended
The Best Resources from Around the Web
It seems we can't find what you're looking for.
