Something from ... Athanasius regarding the bodily resurrection of Jesus

          Something from St. Athanasius (c. 296 - May 2, 373), bishop of Alexandria, regarding the bodily death and resurrection of Jesus.
          Athanasius highlights the historical fact of Jesus' death, as seen by witnesses, so that they could know for certain that he was truly raised from the dead.  Since his resurrection had witnesses, also could also testify that he had truly died, then we have the confidence that death is truly overcome--and all who believe are victors and children of the resurrection with him.

          “Now death must precede resurrection, as it would be no resurrection did not death precede; so that if the death of His body had taken place anywhere in secret, the death not being apparent nor taking place before witnesses, His Resurrection too had been hidden and without evidence.
“Or how could the end of death, and the victory over it be proved, unless challenging it before the eyes of all He had shown it to be dead, annulled for the future by the incorruption of His body?” (Athanasius, Selections from “On the Incarnation of the Word,” paragraph 23, sentences 1 and 4)