P. Derek Overfield PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

Ascension of Isaiah) and to the later writings (Justin
Martyr, Apology of Aristides (?), Irenaeus (in part),
Tertullian (in part), De Resurrectione).
Our investigation
of the writings of this period also showed that
the traditions used by the author of Ephesians were
employed, though not with any great frequency, by
some of the authors already referred to, particul,arly
Ascension of Isaiah XI, 32, Dial 32 (both making use of
Ps 109 :1) and Dial 39, 87; Dero 83; Adv Haer II, 20.3;
Adv Marc V.viii,S, xviii,S).
Although the ascension theology of the
author of the epistle to the Ephesians stands in general
agreement with both contemporary and later writings it
is nevertheless true that the author of the epistle
has made a unique contribution to the Church's understanding
of the ascension theology;
for him the
exaltation of Christ is not an occurrence that is
outside experience:
it is essentially practical in
that in his exaltation Christ has obtained for the
believer participation in the eternal rule of God.
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