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Ancient Judaism included numerous views concerning the afterlife, and it appears that Paul and Luke followed different options.

Indeed, the funeral liturgies of most denominations make room both for the idea of a resurrection at some point in the future and for the notion that the deceased reside with God right now.

So what is a Christian to do? If we desire to be informed by Scripture’s witness, these complications confront us with the necessity of interpretationinterpretation shaped by profound humility.

I believe Scripture gifts us with ways for articulating our hope that also guide us in living in the here and now.

Our task involves applying a disciplined imagination to these texts to discern the values that may shape us.

Here I will offer just a few thoughts.

First, I tend to emphasise the New Testament’s primary image, resurrection.

Resurrection has many benefits. First, unlike the notion of an immortal soul, resurrection allows us to name that death is real, and it is devastating.

It is the final enemy, as Paul puts it (1 Corinthians 15:26). If we wish to grieve well, it is all but necessary that we not minimise death. Resurrection also reminds us that we are mortal: our lives now and in the future depend upon a life-giving God.

This news causes us to live in humility and gratitude. Even when we receive a serious diagnosis, as I have, it is surprisingly comforting to remember simply that we are mortal and live only by the goodness of God.

I know this, having received such news myself. We will not live in the fantasy world of endless youth, even of immortality.

We will find no attraction in memorialising ourselves, much less in seeking some technological solution that will prolong our lives forever.

Finally, the notion of resurrection is embodied, and it is social.

Many expressions of Christianity focus on the spiritual rather than the embodied dimensions of life.

Unfortunately, those Christianities often fall short in living out an embodied love of neighbor.

An embodied resurrection means that God reclaims and redeems our whole lives, lending holy significance to the right now.

It also leads us to imagine a joyful afterlife, the great banquet that includes all the saints (Matthew 8:11), or the New Jerusalem with its diverse fruit, fresh water, and open gates.

It may seem ironic, but resurrection grounds us in this present world.

To be honest, I find myself surprised to have devoted so much scholarly work to the question.

I very much tend to live in the here and now without consideration for what may await me.

But I take great hope in believing that what God begins in us and in the world, God is faithful to complete (Romans 8; Philippians 1:6).

For me at least, that conviction makes a difference.

Dr Greg Carey is Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary in the United States and last month presented the first Northey Lecture of the year at the Centre for Theology and Ministry. His latest book is ‘Death, the end of history, and beyond’.