Seeing Light: A Critical Enquiry into the Origins of Resurrection Faith
Ebook
Christians assert that God raised Jesus from the dead, but no-one outside the Christian faith-community takes them seriously. For most people, the resurrection of Jesus is a non-event. A story or a myth perhaps, but nothing more.
This book tackles the problem of the resurrection head-on. As a scientist, the author is committed to a modern post-Enlightenment worldview. He rejects belief in miraculous divine intervention and argues that the true nature of historical events can only be established by the rigorous interrogation of sources.
The historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is subjected to detailed scrutiny, with the greatest weight being assigned to the earliest and most reliable testimony.
The picture that emerges is sharply at variance with conventional Christian understandings. What is usually regarded as the "Jewish background" becomes the foreground. The Gospels, previously central to any discussion of the resurrection, are only one source among many that give an account of faith in the risen Christ. Very early traditions embedded in the earliest Christian texts move centre-stage. Resurrection faith emerges when visions of Jesus, already exalted in heaven, begin to interact with theological faith-interpretations of the "Jesus event".
The author emphasizes that rejecting belief in the resurrection as a historical event does not undermine belief in non-physical realities. Nor does it exclude the possibility of revelation being delivered through historical events freighted with intrinsic significance.
Gant dances around literalism, reductionism and unbelief in an attempt to weave a credible answer in a non-interventionist reading of Jesus’ resurrection, convincing enough to undergird Christian faith for today. Does he succeed? Read and decide. The argument is worth it.
[Gant’s] is a magnificently argued position. Whether it is one that would, or even should, displace the deeply affective attachment to the stories which carry such impact in the Easter cycle each year remains open to debate.
Forceful and fair in his style of argument … This is a startling and challenging book.
This is a remarkably honest book. In fact, the author’s uncompromising commitment to articulating only what a critical reading of the actual New Testament evidence will justifiably allow constitutes a confronting challenge, not only to the unthinking forces of contemporary fundamentalism and naive biblicism, but also to much of the Christian apologetics of mainline Christian Churches that tend to be wedded to the defence of inherited or preconceived views come what may. … This is a significantly interesting and challenging book. It would be a mistake to underestimate its importance.
- Title: Seeing Light: A Critical Enquiry into the Origins of Resurrection Faith
- Author: Peter Gant
- Publisher: Sacristy Press
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781789590494, 9781789590470, 1789590477, 9781789590487, 1789590485, 1789590493
- Resource ID: LLS:9781789590494
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-12-26T08:07:25Z
Peter Gant studied physics at Oxford and theology at Cambridge. After ordination and a curacy at St Mary Portsea, he worked as vicar of a parish in the Black Country and then as a senior civil servant in Whitehall.
Following early retirement, he qualified as a yachtmaster and, for more than ten years, enjoyed sailing on the south coast and shuttling backwards and forwards to France. In addition to serving as chairman of national and local charities, he continued to minister (as he had done throughout his civil service career ) as a non-stipendiary priest in the diocese of Guildford. He also played chess regularly on London’s West End clubs circuit.
More recently, Peter Gant returned to academic studies at Oxford University under the mentorship of New Testament theologian Robert Morgan. This work led to the award of a further degree and to the writing of Seeing Light. Peter Gant lived in London UK with his partner Judith, who is chair of London’s West Central liberal synagogue.
Peter died in 2020 after a battle with cancer.