As a former student of Shepherd’s Chapel for over 20 years, I was deeply immersed in their teachings, studying alongside my family under the guidance of Pastor Arnold Murray. However, after careful examination of Scripture and reflection, I came to reject their doctrine, particularly the claim that there is no physical resurrection of believers. This belief, which asserts that believers are raised only spiritually and not bodily, is not only unbiblical but also a dangerous and heretical departure from orthodox Christianity. Below, I outline why this teaching is false and the profound implications it has for the Christian faith.
The Biblical Case for Physical Resurrection
The doctrine of the physical resurrection of believers is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirmed throughout the New Testament. Shepherd’s Chapel’s teaching that believers are raised only spiritually contradicts clear scriptural evidence.
Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection as the Model: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christian hope. Scripture emphasizes that Jesus rose physically, not merely spiritually. In Luke 24:39, Jesus declares, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” His physical resurrection is the “firstfruits” of the resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), meaning our resurrection will mirror His—a bodily transformation into glorified, physical bodies.
Paul’s Teaching on the Resurrection Body: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul provides an extensive defense of the physical resurrection. He explains that believers will be raised with a “spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44), but this does not mean a non-physical entity. The term “spiritual body” refers to a physical body animated by the Spirit, imperishable and glorified, as opposed to the “natural body” subject to decay. Paul states, “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). This transformation involves the physical body, not a disembodied spirit.
The Transformation of Believers: Philippians 3:20-21 further clarifies that our resurrection will involve a physical transformation: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” The resurrection is not a rejection of the body but its glorification, aligning with Christ’s resurrected, physical form.
Old Testament Foundations: The physical resurrection is also rooted in Old Testament prophecy. Job declares, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26). This affirms a bodily resurrection, not a spiritual existence detached from the physical.
Shepherd’s Chapel’s denial of this doctrine dismisses these clear teachings, often relying on selective interpretations or allegorical readings that lack contextual support. For example, their claim that resurrection is purely spiritual may stem from misinterpretations of passages like 1 Corinthians 15:44, ignoring the broader biblical narrative that consistently affirms physical resurrection.
Why This Teaching Is Dangerous
The denial of the physical resurrection of believers undermines several core aspects of Christian theology and practice, making it a dangerous deviation from the truth.
Undermining the Gospel: The physical resurrection is integral to the gospel message. Paul states, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). By denying the bodily resurrection of believers, Shepherd’s Chapel implicitly weakens the significance of Christ’s own resurrection, eroding the foundation of salvation and the hope of eternal life.
Diminishing the Hope of Eternal Life: The Christian hope is not merely a spiritual existence but the restoration of the whole person—body and soul—in a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). Denying the physical resurrection reduces this hope to a disembodied state, which contradicts the biblical vision of a renewed creation where believers dwell with God in glorified bodies. This teaching robs believers of the full assurance of God’s redemptive plan.
Distorting the Nature of Humanity: Christianity affirms that humans are a unity of body and soul, created to reflect God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). By rejecting the resurrection of the body, Shepherd’s Chapel suggests that the body is unimportant or inherently corrupt, aligning more with Gnosticism than biblical Christianity. This view devalues God’s creation and the incarnation, where Christ took on human flesh to redeem it.
Encouraging Theological Instability: Shepherd’s Chapel’s rejection of the physical resurrection is part of a broader pattern of unorthodox teachings, such as modalism, the Serpent Seed doctrine, and annihilationism. This pattern of selectively interpreting Scripture to fit preconceived ideas can lead followers into further error, fostering a distrust of historic Christian doctrine and isolating them from the broader body of Christ.
Why This Teaching Is Heretical
The physical resurrection of believers is not a peripheral issue but a central tenet of Christian orthodoxy, affirmed in creeds like the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed, which declare belief in “the resurrection of the body.” Denying this doctrine places Shepherd’s Chapel outside the boundaries of historic Christianity for several reasons:
Contradiction of Essential Doctrine: The physical resurrection is an essential doctrine tied to the nature of salvation and Christ’s redemptive work. Denying it aligns with early heresies like those of Marcion and Valentinus, who devalued the physical body and its resurrection. Tertullian, an early Church Father, refuted such views, arguing that Christ’s bodily resurrection establishes the pattern for believers’ resurrection, proving that the Creator values the physical creation.
Distortion of Christ’s Work: By denying the physical resurrection, Shepherd’s Chapel undermines the full scope of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Christ’s resurrection demonstrates that both body and soul are redeemed, and believers will share in this holistic redemption. A spiritual-only view diminishes the significance of Christ’s incarnation and bodily resurrection.
Departure from Scriptural Authority: Shepherd’s Chapel often claims to teach “chapter by chapter, verse by verse,” yet their denial of physical resurrection relies on eisegesis—reading their own ideas into the text—rather than sound exegesis. This approach manipulates Scripture to support unorthodox views, leading followers away from the clear teaching of the Bible.
My Personal Journey and Call to Discernment
As a former student of Shepherd’s Chapel, I spent two decades studying their teachings, influenced by family members who were drawn to Arnold Murray’s confident style and emphasis on Scripture. However, as I began to compare their doctrines with the Bible, particularly on issues like the resurrection, I found irreconcilable contradictions. Passages like 1 Corinthians 15 and Philippians 3:20-21 made it clear that the physical resurrection is not optional but central to the Christian faith. This realization, coupled with prayer and study, led me to reject Shepherd’s Chapel’s teachings and embrace orthodox Christianity.
I urge current students of Shepherd’s Chapel to heed Arnold Murray’s own advice to “check it out” by studying Scripture for themselves. Compare their teachings with the clear words of the Bible. The physical resurrection is not a minor detail but a truth that upholds the hope, power, and beauty of the gospel. Clinging to a doctrine that denies it risks spiritual harm and separation from the truth of Christ’s redemptive work.
Conclusion
The denial of the physical resurrection of believers by Shepherd’s Chapel is a dangerous and heretical teaching that undermines the gospel, distorts the nature of humanity, and departs from biblical truth. Scripture unequivocally teaches that believers will be raised bodily, transformed into glorified bodies like Christ’s. This hope is central to the Christian faith, offering assurance of God’s complete redemption of His people. As a former student, I encourage others to examine these teachings critically, grounding their faith in the clear testimony of Scripture and the historic Christian tradition.