Interpreting the Resurrection: Examining the Major Problems in the Stories of Jesus' Resurrection

by Gerald O'Collins

Examining the major problems in the stories of Jesus' resurrection by a theologian

88 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1988

About the author

Born in Australia, Gerald O’Collins received his PhD at Cambridge University in 1968. From 1973 to 2006 he taught at the Gregorian University (Rome), where he was also dean of the theology faculty (1985–91). He is now a research professor in theology at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham.

Reviews

[Mike DePue, OFS · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 88 pages--text (pages 1-69), notes (70-83), bibliography (84-85), index of names (86-88)--this clearly isn't major coverage of the subject; of course, it predates other worthwhile popular treatments such as Vermes' The Resurrection: History and Myth (2008) and Crossan and Wright's back-and-forth Resurrection of Jesus (2005). This book follows on the heels of O'Collins' more substantive Jesus Risen : an historical, fundamental, and systematic examination of Christ's resurrection (1987) and titles in '73 and '78. A sort of note-to-self on this book's p. 69: "It may be time to fall silent. Christ's resurrection remains far more than the sum of all our words."

This book's subtitle promises an examination of "major problems"; the postscript (p. 68) more accurately notes an examination of "several central questions." O'Collins' reflections on these questions are more than worth your time and are likely to spur your own reflections and further investigation.

[Scott Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

succinct but thin on some of the subjects.