Resurrection: A Guide for the Perplexed
Overview
This volume examines what the followers of Jesus meant when they declared that he was raised from the dead. This claim, which lies at the core of Christian faith, is one of the most controversial topics in Christianity. Jesus’ resurrection has no analogy in human history. Although many 1st-century Jews expected the resurrection of the dead at the end of time, the Christian claim that this had already happened to one individual within the realm of history was unprecedented. Moreover, an affirmation of Jesus’ bodily resurrection contradicts the known laws of nature. Additional difficulty comes from the nature of the available evidence. The New Testament sources not only mirror the worldview of ancient authors but also differ with regard to who saw him alive, what was the nature of his risen body, and whether the empty tomb was a widespread knowledge or an assumption based on prior beliefs. Novakovic presents all these issues in a clear and methodical way. She examines the literary sources and addresses various questions related to historical investigations of Jesus' resurrection.
Key Features
- Surveys important issues for understanding resurrection in Christianity
- Provides historical background for contextualizing Jesus’ resurrection
- Extensively deals explaining the available evidence for the bodily resurrection
Contents
- Resurrection Hope in Second Temple Judaism
- Non-Narrative Traditions about Jesus’ Resurrection
- Narratives about the discovery of the Empty Tomb
- Narratives about the Appearances of the Risen Jesus
- Jesus’ Resurrection and History
- Jesus’ Resurrection and Theology
Praise for the Print Edition
This is a really good book for ministers and students, summarizing in a balanced manner the contemporary resurrection debate. It is well written, impressive in its scope ... and contains references to a range of other writings to expand one's understanding. Read it before next Easter's sermons
—Regent's Reviews
This book persistently comes across as a well informed and fair-minded study of the Easter mystery, which is at the heart of Christian faith.
—Theological Studies
The wealth of perspectives and confident refusal to over-simplify some thorny salient issues make this a first-rate primer for study of the resurrection.
—Journal for the Study of the New Testament
Product Details
- Title: Resurrection: A Guide for the Perplexed
- Author: Lidija Novakovic
- Series: Guides for the Perplexed
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Publication Date: 2016
- Pages: 224
- Resource Type: Introduction
- Topic: Theology
