Book Review of “Raised According to the Scriptures” by S. D. Ellison

By Amos Kennedy

Raised According to the Scriptures is an insightful and engaging exploration of resurrection themes in the Old Testament, woven together with a Christ-centred perspective that will undoubtedly resonate with anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible’s message of the hope of life after death. From the outset, Ellison catches the reader’s attention with an unexpected and humorous shock opener—revealing his admiration for The Simpsons! While it may initially seem out of place, this playful entry sets the tone for the author’s engaging writing style, which blends serious biblical scholarship with a refreshing sense of humour.

Ellison’s primary argument revolves around the idea that resurrection is not merely a New Testament concept, but a thread woven throughout the Old Testament. Drawing on various passages, he asserts that even seemingly obscure texts (such as Daniel 12, Ezekiel 37 or Isaiah 25-27) foreshadow the resurrection of Christ. This is compelling, especially as Ellison builds the case for a Christ-centred hermeneutic, which challenges alternative interpretations that downplay the resurrection’s significance in the Hebrew Scriptures.

In Chapter 1, titled Resurrection Power, Ellison introduces the idea of resurrection by first highlighting God’s exclusive ability to create life, control death, and bring the dead to life. He ties this to the story of Abraham and Isaac, where Isaac’s figurative resurrection in Genesis 22 foreshadows God’s ultimate power over death. From here, Ellison smoothly transitions into more literal examples of resurrection in the Old Testament in Chapter 2, Resurrection Precursors. This chapter begins with a sobering reflection on death and mourning, setting the stage for Ellison to clarify why certain Old Testament resurrections—such as the instances of Elijah and Elisha raising the dead—are better understood as ‘resuscitations’ rather than full resurrections. At first, I was concerned that the author’s use of alliteration in the chapter titles might lead to an overly rigid framework for interpreting these biblical events. However, I found myself persuaded by his thoughtful argument that these acts of resuscitation serve as significant precursors, demonstrating God’s sovereign power over death and hinting at the greater resurrection hope fulfilled in Christ.

In Chapter 3, Resurrection Allusions, Ellison explores the resurrection hopes expressed by Old Testament figures like David, Job, and Jonah. While these saints may not have fully understood the resurrection theology we now possess under the New Covenant, their confidence in a future bodily resurrection is unmistakable. One area where the book could have expanded is in its treatment of 2 Samuel 12, particularly regarding the resurrection hope for parents who lose children in infancy. While Ellison touches on the broader resurrection hope in the Old Testament, a brief mention of this passage and its pastoral implications would have been helpful. Nevertheless, Ellison excels in drawing connections between the resurrection foreshadowed in Jonah’s story and Jesus’ own resurrection as recorded in the Gospels, offering a compelling interpretation that enhances the reader’s understanding of Christ’s fulfilment of these themes.

In Chapter 4, Resurrection Poems, Ellison brings attention to the Psalms as powerful expressions of the Old Testament’s hope for life after death. He argues that while the exact nature of resurrection remains somewhat mysterious, the Psalms provide a profound glimpse into the Old Testament mindset of hope beyond the grave.

The book culminates in Chapter 5, Resurrection Prophecies, where Ellison demonstrates that Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15 is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, particularly those found in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Isaiah. He carefully lays out how these prophecies point toward the ultimate resurrection hope, where the dead will be raised to eternal life at the final trumpet.

Raised According to the Scriptures is a thoughtful, well-researched, and encouraging book that effectively demonstrates how the resurrection theme is woven throughout the Old Testament and is fulfilled in Christ. Ellison’s Christ-centred approach is compelling, offering a reminder that the resurrection hope found in the Scriptures is not a New Testament novelty, but a central theme that Christ and the apostles understood and preached. This book is not only an insightful resource but also a timely read as we approach Easter – recommended for any believer looking to reflect more deeply on the resurrection, its biblical foundations, and its fulfilment in Christ.