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The Hope of the Resurrection: How Jesus's Defeat of Death Changes Everything
Examining Jesus's Resurrection Through Three Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Jesus's resurrection happened centuries ago, but evidence shows it is at the center of everything that is true, good, and beautiful today. These 3 attributes—or transcendentals—provide a simple framework for understanding reality, including Christ's victory over death and why it matters for your life.
In this approachable study, New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner explains the history, apologetics, theology, and ethics of the resurrection. First, he examines moral arguments and the death-to-life cycles in nature that point to Christ's resurrection. Next, Schreiner explores the theology of the empty tomb, including the new life in heaven that awaits believers. Finally, he reflects on the beautiful ways Jesus's death validates, personalizes, and ultimately ends your suffering. You will be inspired to pursue resurrection in your own life, dying to sin to experience abundant renewal in Christ.
This short, engaging book is perfect for outreach and discipleship. Churches are encouraged to share it with groups during Easter services and year-round as a small-group resource.
Concise and Combines a historical, theological, ethical, and applicational look at the resurrection in a brief, easy-to-understand format Excellent Small-Group Share this book with both Christians and skeptics to help them fall in love with the reality of the resurrection A Great Resource for Easter Services
Jesus's resurrection happened centuries ago, but evidence shows it is at the center of everything that is true, good, and beautiful today. These 3 attributes—or transcendentals—provide a simple framework for understanding reality, including Christ's victory over death and why it matters for your life.
In this approachable study, New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner explains the history, apologetics, theology, and ethics of the resurrection. First, he examines moral arguments and the death-to-life cycles in nature that point to Christ's resurrection. Next, Schreiner explores the theology of the empty tomb, including the new life in heaven that awaits believers. Finally, he reflects on the beautiful ways Jesus's death validates, personalizes, and ultimately ends your suffering. You will be inspired to pursue resurrection in your own life, dying to sin to experience abundant renewal in Christ.
This short, engaging book is perfect for outreach and discipleship. Churches are encouraged to share it with groups during Easter services and year-round as a small-group resource.
Concise and Combines a historical, theological, ethical, and applicational look at the resurrection in a brief, easy-to-understand format Excellent Small-Group Share this book with both Christians and skeptics to help them fall in love with the reality of the resurrection A Great Resource for Easter Services
160 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2026
12 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 6, 2026
Strong book by Schreiner. He presents a theology of the resurrection, arguing for its veracity and on the basis of truth, beauty, and goodness. I highly recommend reading this book during Holy Week.
April 2, 2026
We live in a war-torn world, a world that longs for hope. The prospects of “hope” usually come from fleeting and unreliable sources, leaving people empty and longing for something eternal and true. Patrick Schreiner’s new book, The Hope of the Resurrection: How Jesus's Defeat of Death Changes Everything gives readers exactly what they’re looking for. The subtitle, “How Jesus’s Defeat of Death Changes Everything,” accurately conveys the heart of the book and compels a thorough investigation.
The author establishes three fundamental realities that concern the resurrection of Christ. 1) The resurrection is true. 2) The resurrection is good, and 3) The resurrection is beautiful. The three parts of the book are explored in detail and ultimately reveal how the resurrection offers hope to the hopeless.
The Hope of the Resurrection is intellectually compelling, emotionally uplifting, and spiritually encouraging. The author writes in a way that will appeal to the person in the pew but also satisfy the curiosity of trained theologians. In the end, this book offers solid hope, grounded in God’s authoritative word. Schreiner argues:
The Hope of the Resurrection is a book for our times. Dr. Schreiner’s work deserves serious study and contemplation. Anyone willing to invest in this excellent resource will be rewarded with dividends that will extend into eternity.
The author establishes three fundamental realities that concern the resurrection of Christ. 1) The resurrection is true. 2) The resurrection is good, and 3) The resurrection is beautiful. The three parts of the book are explored in detail and ultimately reveal how the resurrection offers hope to the hopeless.
The Hope of the Resurrection is intellectually compelling, emotionally uplifting, and spiritually encouraging. The author writes in a way that will appeal to the person in the pew but also satisfy the curiosity of trained theologians. In the end, this book offers solid hope, grounded in God’s authoritative word. Schreiner argues:
Only because of the resurrection will our lives conclude joyfully. God will wipe away every tear. Christians will be immortal and dwell with those they love. At the end of history, God wins, death is defeated, and all who believe in Christ will live forever. God will renew the entire world and make it as it was supposed to be. Death will no longer disturb Christians, and they will live in eternal happiness.
The Hope of the Resurrection is a book for our times. Dr. Schreiner’s work deserves serious study and contemplation. Anyone willing to invest in this excellent resource will be rewarded with dividends that will extend into eternity.
April 17, 2026
Schreiner clearly and concisely shows that the resurrection of Jesus is true, good, and beautiful.
April 5, 2026
“The gospel without the resurrection is not merely a gospel without its final chapter. It was no gospel at all. Jesus was raised from the dead and his righteous life can now be transferred to us. Jesus‘s life is our life. His resurrection is our resurrection. His justification is our justification. The resurrection is good because without it, we don’t have Christianity.”
April 3, 2026
Another job well done by Patrick Schreiner, taking a single biblical-theological topic and writing a short (but long enough) book on it. He breaks down the truth, goodness, and beauty of the resurrection. I think his chapters on the goodness of it were the most helpful.
For those pastors preaching Easter/resurrection sermons, you’ll find some great illustrations, anecdotes, and quotes here.
Overall, this is a great little book to read during Holy Week. Enjoy!
For those pastors preaching Easter/resurrection sermons, you’ll find some great illustrations, anecdotes, and quotes here.
Overall, this is a great little book to read during Holy Week. Enjoy!
April 1, 2026
encouraging!
I have quibbles when the resurrection and crucifixion are pitted against each other. I do think there's some "resurrection is essential, therefore it's central" going on.
that being said, so much of the book is wonderfully encouraging, good reminders of the death of death and anticipating resurrection life
I have quibbles when the resurrection and crucifixion are pitted against each other. I do think there's some "resurrection is essential, therefore it's central" going on.
that being said, so much of the book is wonderfully encouraging, good reminders of the death of death and anticipating resurrection life
April 16, 2026
Schreiner shows the hope of the resurrection through the transcendentals: truth, beauty, and goodness. The book is written in a way that it’s accessible for all audiences. I’ll be re-reading during future Holy Weeks.
The chapter on the resurrection community was AWESOME!
The chapter on the resurrection community was AWESOME!
April 28, 2026
A really thoughtful book. I especially appreciated using the three transcendentals: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty as the framework for thinking about the resurrection of Christ.
The section on the goodness of the resurrection was I think the best, and it is really where the book made its most moving points: connecting the Resurrection to the new heaven and new earth and life there.
There were some parts I was not in agreement. While I agree Romans 4:25 connects justification and resurrection, I dont think it's a wise way to speak of it that the resurrection 'completes' the atonement.
Also, while the point about fasting being a valid Christian practice is true, it's overstating the case to argue that Satan sits at the summit of a comfortable life, and God sits at the summit of hunger and thirst. There's a deep imbalance there, it's missing 1 Tim 4.
Those quibbles aside I think there is a lot of good in the book.
The section on the goodness of the resurrection was I think the best, and it is really where the book made its most moving points: connecting the Resurrection to the new heaven and new earth and life there.
There were some parts I was not in agreement. While I agree Romans 4:25 connects justification and resurrection, I dont think it's a wise way to speak of it that the resurrection 'completes' the atonement.
Also, while the point about fasting being a valid Christian practice is true, it's overstating the case to argue that Satan sits at the summit of a comfortable life, and God sits at the summit of hunger and thirst. There's a deep imbalance there, it's missing 1 Tim 4.
Those quibbles aside I think there is a lot of good in the book.
March 19, 2026
In The Hope of the Resurrection, Schreiner steps away from his more technical academic writing and offers a primer on the resurrection. While he touches only briefly on the historical evidence, he also introduces cosmic and existential arguments—both of which I found especially compelling. For me, the high point of the book was the discussion of existential evidence, particularly how C.S. Lewis was drawn to the gospel through the “old, old story” that gave meaning to his deepest longings.
I also appreciated Schreiner’s reflections on suffering—especially the idea that God does not treat our pain in generalities but meets us personally, wiping away each individual tear. This is beautifully paired with the reminder that the resurrection ushers us into an entirely new kind of life. Overall, I would recommend this book as an encouraging read for any believer—fresh, winsome, and heartfelt.
I also appreciated Schreiner’s reflections on suffering—especially the idea that God does not treat our pain in generalities but meets us personally, wiping away each individual tear. This is beautifully paired with the reminder that the resurrection ushers us into an entirely new kind of life. Overall, I would recommend this book as an encouraging read for any believer—fresh, winsome, and heartfelt.
April 25, 2026
This is a good book in parts. It presents standard defenses of the historicity of the resurrection in a cogent manner. It discusses well the ways in which the resurrection of Christ is the linchpin of soteriology.
The problem is that the work also keeps going in ways that felt like a stretch. Applications that felt forced. Connections that might be implications of implications, but not the main point. These weakened the book. There is so much to say about the resurrection that I didn't understand the need to go fishing.
The problem is that the work also keeps going in ways that felt like a stretch. Applications that felt forced. Connections that might be implications of implications, but not the main point. These weakened the book. There is so much to say about the resurrection that I didn't understand the need to go fishing.
April 8, 2026
In this brief book, Schreiner offers us a theology of the resurrection that is centered around three primary transcendentals—truth, goodness, and beauty. It was a compelling and uplifting read. I especially appreciate the chapters on the goodness of the resurrection.
Review of advance copy
A look at the resurrection for the lens of the good, true, and beautiful.
April 3, 2026
This short book addresses the realities and consequences of the resurrection of Jesus.
April 7, 2026
Edifying book for laypeople especially. Could be read over the weekend or afternoon.
April 25, 2026
This was a good little book that I think might be handy to pass along. A quick, encouraging read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews