Resurrection in Retrospect
A Critical Examination of the Theology of N. T. Wright
by Peter Carnley
An analysis of the work of the biblical scholar N.T. Wright, rebutting the idea that the Resurrection of Jesus can be understood solely in historical terms.
In 2003 the British New Testament scholar N. T. Wright published The Resurrection of the Son of God, arguing vigorously that the Resurrection of Christ should be handled purely as a historical event – subjected to historical reason and critical-historical research. This book critically examines Wright’s arguments. Peter Carnley demonstrates the flaws in the view that the Resurrection should be understood essentially as Jesus’ return from the dead to this world of space and time in a material and physical body. Carnley argues that the Resurrection of Christ is a “mystery of God”, which must necessarily be appropriated, not by reason alone, but by faith. Evidence relating to a past occurrence can be known only retrospectively. Yet Easter faith has to do with apprehending in the present a concretely experienced reality – which Saint Paul called “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2). An epistemology of the identification of the Spirit in faith as the living presence of Christ will be found in the companion volume to this book: The Reconstruction of Resurrection Belief.
Peter Carnley was Archbishop of Perth, Western Australia, from 1981 to 2005, and Primate of Australia from 2000 to 2005. He was educated at Trinity College, Melbourne; and at Emmanuel College and St. John’s College, University of Cambridge. He taught at the University of Queensland, in Brisbane. His books include A Kind of Retirement (Wipf & Stock, 2016), Reflections in Glass (2004), and The Structure of Resurrection Belief (1987).
- By (author) Peter Carnley
"Peter Carnley here provides the most painstaking riposte to date to the idea that the Resurrection of Jesus is simply another historical event accessible even to 'secular' historians. In so doing, he recapitulates and refines his lifelong work on this topic with verve and spiritual wisdom: this is a book that all interested and educated Christians can and should read and reflect upon." Sarah Coakley, Logos Institute at University of St Andrews, and Australian Catholic University, Melbourne "This is a very subtle and illuminating book on the most complicated topics concerning the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection hope in general. Biblical and extracanonical witnesses, systematic reflections, and practical theological concerns are addressed alike, with fruitful results. A profound, critical engagement with Tom Wright's influential contributions to the topic provides a thread running through the book. However, Carnley does not only offer valuable perspectives on the main topics of the Resurrection. He also deals with burning questions about the nature of faith, the question of human immortality, and the eschatological existence in heaven." Michael Welker, Senior Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Heidelberg
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