Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel

by Rowan Williams

Why is it 'good news' to say that 'Jesus is risen'? What has the resurrection to do with our idea of salvation? This book sets out to show how the experience of the resurrection was from the first one of forgiveness and of the healing of memories of injury, guilt or failure. Out of this healing grow new patterns of life together, and a new understanding of God. This classic work by one of the finest theological minds of our day is renowned for its synthesis of theology and spirituality, critical analysis and devotion.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian

125 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.

Reviews

[Jacob Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me over a year to finish because it is a neutron star of theological material: very small but extremely dense. Definitely got some good stuff out of this, really underline-able quotes,but so dense as to be almost unintelligible at times.

[Matthew Codd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is not abstract. Christ resurrected and grace filled frees us from stories of revenge and weaponized victimhood.

Read this book!

[Jayin Wavrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

perhaps his best

a beautiful work worthy of meditation upon. an invitation to see anew and see our personal histories anew. experiential and intellectually alive.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this ostensibly Easter-focused book in the early leadup to the Christmas not because I'm a moron, but because the subject - Christ's Passion and Resurrection - has been more on my mind recently due to another good book I have been reading; a Catholic one based on the life of Mary as seen and reported by certain mystics.

To be honest, this quality book by the hugely likeable Rowan Willians, former Archbishop of Canterbury (and perhaps real-life muggle version of Albus Dumbledore? I mean, seriously, just watch him in interviews, especially more recent ones when he is older and sports a beard), would have been even better an experience if I had read it in print, as opposed to audio. But still, a good book is good whatever the medium one reads it in. And this, true to form of Protestantism's best thinkers (I got Barth vibes in particular from this book), Williams opens up the Easter story with deep insight, and offers his reflections in a way that is highly relevant for the modern world.

Surely, a good companion for the Easter period. But if you want to read it over Halloween and the first stirrings of Christmas instead, then why not, eh?

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of returning to this meditation every couple of years. Chapter Four is to my mind some of the most brilliant and inspiring theological writing ever written in the English language.

[Margaret D'Anieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan Williams is brilliant, and his writing is a little dense. It’s worth the work for his insights about the post-resurrection encounters: why is the risen Jesus encountered as a stranger (and what does that mean?) What does it mean for us that we can connect with Jesus the human, prophet, and one who suffers in ways that we cannot to the risen Jesus - and how does that have us domesticate God and the gospel? A book I’ll come back to because I’m sure it will read more deeply over time.

[Ben Smitthimedhin · Rating 5 out of 5]

RW explores the meaning of Easter by explicating the scenes surrounding the resurrection event. As with many of RW's books, RW's theology tends to be more speculative and imaginative, but it also reveres and attends to the orthodox Christian tradition. RW once again emphasizes how important it is that the church remain self-critical (and repentant), ever vigilant in her call to heal and forgive the world by first making peace with her troublesome past.

[Jonathan Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense but absolutely worth it.
I read it maybe 5 years ago, and found it excellent. The second time through was even richer. Its depth doesn't make for easy summary. Key concepts include the church as a 'community of gift', and the Eucharist being even more based on post-resurrection meals than the Last Supper.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

For most of my life I have been more at home in Lent than Easter. But this is an Easter which includes all that goes before. Williams has given me a new, more fruitful Easter. Another to reread and mull over.

[Spag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. An approach to resurrection essentially built on accepting our complicity and guilt for the victim's pain. Surprisingly dense and elliptical, I thought. Looks like a snack, but it's a fairly heavy meal.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

His artful language always provokes new ways of seeing things.

[J O]

This book helped me better understand how God works through Jesus' resurrection. Many wonderful insights!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff. I particularly appreciated Williams' discussion of memory, and the complexities of being both oppressor and oppressed.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful examination of the Scriptural records of Jesus of Nazareth's Resurrection.
A valuable resource for meditation.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I find most powerful about Rowan Williams' writing is my constant sense that there is someone there, really there, behind the theology, that he is baring his soul to you in the process of writing. I found this text to be a brilliant examination of the empty tomb on Easter morning and how crucial it is that Easter turn us upside down and reshape the terms we have come to understand our reality. The kind of engagement he describes is one that asserts that we, as Christians, and as individuals, all have a particular past, that God engages with on a personal level. Easter does not wipe away distinctions or return to us a sanitized memory of the horror of Good Friday. Williams boldly states, "Easter means coming to the memory of Jesus, looking for consolation, and finding a memory that hurts and judges, that sets distance...between me and my hope, my savior." (pg 74). Williams draws out the tensions and disorienting nature of Easter and explains why that is necessary to our understanding of Eucharist, community, and the renewal of humanity by terms we do not fully understand.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

His understanding of what Christianity entails moves me to the point of tears.

[Melissa Flo-bix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to read this again next week on the Native American Plunge. For Easter! How appropriate!

[Tiffany]

Every other page is dogeared, I think.

[Sam McCabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Talking To A Stranger" chapter is worth getting the whole book. Simply brilliant.

[Wyatt Houtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory as resurrection, confessions of augustine.

[5greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written. Coherent with memorable insights.