Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection

Catholic Bible Study — Augustine Institute
December 17, 2025
Guests:

• Dr. Ben Akers (Host, "A")
• Dr. Michael Barber (Guest, "B")

Episode Overview

This inaugural episode in a five-part series explores the first Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: The Resurrection. Host Dr. Ben Akers and guest Dr. Michael Barber unpack the Scriptural foundations, theological implications, and devotional practices centered on Christ’s resurrection. Their goal is to deepen listeners’ faith and help them meditate more fruitfully on this foundational event of Christianity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Do Catholics Mean by "The Resurrection"?

(00:00–04:31)

• Clarification of Terms:
  • Christ’s Resurrection is distinct from other instances in Scripture (e.g., Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter). Those were "resuscitations," not resurrections.
  • The resurrection is not just the immortality of the soul or a metaphor.

    "We're not talking about the resuscitation of a body ... [Jesus'] resurrection wasn’t in any way glorious. They just went back to their ordinary life … something else happened to Jesus." — Dr. Barber (00:59)

• Nature of Jesus’ Resurrected Body:
  • Jesus rises in the same physical body that was crucified, as evidenced by his wounds.
  • His body, however, is transformed—able to eat fish (Luke 24), appear through locked doors, and disguise his identity (Emmaus road).
  • Quote:

    "His resurrected body transcends the limits of space and time." — Dr. Barber (03:44)

  • The transformation is fundamental, pointing to glorification, not mere return to earthly life.

2. Evidences for the Resurrection & Responding to Skepticism

(04:31–11:10)

• Addressing Alternative Theories:
  • The "swoon theory" (Jesus didn’t die, just fainted) is implausible.

    "The Romans were expert executioners ... Many people died before they even got to the cross." — Dr. Barber (05:09)

  • If the story were fabricated, odd details like the women witnesses, or the disciples not recognizing Jesus, wouldn’t have been included.

    "If you're going to make up the story of the resurrection ... you wouldn't say, 'I didn't even recognize him, but I'm sure it was Jesus.'" — Dr. Barber (05:49)

  • Women as first witnesses is significant, because their testimony was not highly regarded in that time (Josephus).

    "If you're going to make up a story... you wouldn't make the first witnesses women in the ancient world." — Dr. Barber (06:40)

• The "Sign of Jonah" & the Repentance of the Nations:
  • Jesus predicts a resurrection paralleling Jonah’s three days in the great fish (Matthew 12:39-41).
  • The global conversion to the God of Israel—and the Gentiles' repentance—fulfills Jesus’s prophecy in a way unimaginable in ancient times.

    "Here we are sitting in Denver, halfway around the world from where Jesus rose from the dead and joined by people all over the world who believe in the God of Israel. That would have taken a miracle." — Dr. Barber (09:38)

3. The Resurrection as the Basis of Christian Hope

(10:16–11:10)

• Transformed Lives:
  • St. Paul’s teaching (Romans 6): believers are united to Christ’s death and resurrection through baptism.
  • The Resurrection explains how conversion from sin, heroic virtue (such as in saints), and miraculous transformations are possible.

    "The best witness for the resurrection is in fact the lives of the saints and the Church all over the world." — Dr. Barber (10:49)

4. Why Not Another Theft or Fraud?

(11:10–12:38)

• Refuting the "Stolen Body" Theory:
  • The claim that the disciples stole Jesus’s body is undermined by their initial fear and lack of boldness.

    "How all of a sudden did they go from cowering in fear and deserting Jesus to mustering up the courage to sneak out at night and risk being arrested for stealing the body?" — Dr. Barber (12:07)

  • Paul, a credible eye-witness, risked and lost his life for the truth of what he witnessed.
  • He also references over 500 witnesses (1 Cor 15).

    "Paul tells us ... that there are 500 others that Jesus appeared to... basically says, go and ask them if you don't believe me." — Dr. Barber (12:27)

5. Practical Guide: Meditating on the Resurrection in the Rosary

(12:39–15:16)

• Devotional Tips:
  • Dr. Barber shares a method: breaking the decade into 4, 3, and 3 Hail Marys—meditating on the cardinal virtues (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude), then the theological virtues (faith, hope, love), and finally the roles of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

    "One thing that I like to do when I pray the rosary is I break up my rosary into four, three and three ... Normally I don't get past justice and fortitude or justice and prudence. I'm thinking so much about why was it prudent for Jesus to wait three days?" — Dr. Barber (14:16)

6. Scripture Study & Apparent Contradictions

(15:16–16:52)

• Reconciling Gospel Accounts:
  • Differences in resurrection narratives reflect ancient writing practices, not contradiction.

    "The Gospel writers don't seem to feel like they have to tell us everything in chronological order... that's just not the way history was written back then." — Dr. Barber (15:27)

  • John Wenham’s Easter Enigma is recommended for reconciling these accounts.

7. The Old Testament and the Resurrection

(16:23–17:17)

• Fulfillment and Transcendence:
  • While the Old Testament points forward, Jesus’s resurrection exceeds explicit OT prophecies—fulfilling and surpassing Israel's hopes.

    "While Jesus does fulfill the Old Testament, he transcends Old Testament hopes as well." — Dr. Barber (16:52)

8. Victory Over Death and Overcoming Fear

(17:17–18:10)

• Eschatological Hope:
  • Because of Christ, death is no longer a fearful curse but a gift and a gateway to life.

    "What Jesus does is he turns death from a curse into a gift ... to look at death as an opportunity by which we can demonstrate our love for God ... confident that he will raise us just like he raised his son, Jesus." — Dr. Barber (17:39)

• Encouragement:
  • Christians can face even the ultimate fear—death—with hope, courage, and joy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "His resurrected body transcends the limits of space and time." — Dr. Barber (03:44)
• "If you're going to make up the story of the resurrection ... you wouldn't say, 'I didn't even recognize him, but I'm sure it was Jesus.'" — Dr. Barber (05:49)
• "Here we are sitting in Denver... joined by people all over the world who believe in the God of Israel. That would have taken a miracle." — Dr. Barber (09:38)
• "The best witness for the resurrection is in fact the lives of the saints and the Church all over the world." — Dr. Barber (10:49)
• "What Jesus does is he turns death from a curse into a gift." — Dr. Barber (17:39)
• Dr. Barber’s “rosary hack”: "Break up my rosary into 4, 3 and 3 ... each decade is going to go flying by." (14:16)

Suggested Scripture for Meditation

• Gospel accounts of the Resurrection:
  • Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21
• Romans 6: Paul on resurrection and baptism
• Matthew 12:39–41: Sign of Jonah

Final Thoughts

The episode provides a robust, biblical, and pastoral exploration of the Resurrection, encouraging listeners to ground their faith on this "crowning truth," meditate more deeply on the mystery in the rosary, and live boldly in light of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Next in the Series:
The Ascension (Glorious Mystery #2)