This Risen Existence: The Spirit of Easter

by Paula Gooder

Although Easter is the most significant event in the Christian year, we rarely take time to explore what it means in detail. So much attention is given to Lent, yet the theology of resurrection is central not only to what we believe about God and Jesus, but to our understanding of ourselves. Following the pattern of her Advent book, "The Meaning is in the Waiting", Paula Gooder leads us on a biblical exploration of the resurrection accounts in each of the Gospels and in Paul's writings, as well as the account of the Ascension and coming of the Spirit at Pentecost in Acts. Arranged for daily reading through the seven weeks of Eastertide, "This Risen Existence" opens with an extended reflection on ancient and contemporary understandings of resurrection. Subsequent chapters lead us on an exciting journey of discovery through the New Testament narratives in a quest to discover what resurrection tells us about life after death, the end times and what it actually means to be a Christian.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

130 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2009

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Bob Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the season of Lent. Ms. Gooder focuses on the three things that are important that come from Easter.
1) The resurrection being the most important to a Christian. Without it there is not salvation. The next is the ascension, without this Jesus would still be here and we would expect Him to be doing all the work.
2) The ascension, since it falls on a Thursday, is usually not remembered on most church calendars. However, it is important.
3) Pentecost. Without this event, we would not have the power to go forth and tell others.
Without each of these events, the story of Easter is incomplete.
I was able to read this as part of Faithlife web site and their free book. As part of the site, people could sign up to read the book together and talk about it. That made the book a little more interesting to me as I read what other people thought and could reflect on things that I missed.
It is a seasonable book. For that reason, though it could be read any time of the year, it is best read as a reflection time leading up to Easter, or as part of the time from Easter to Pentecost.
Enjoyed the book.

[Pastor2112 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is impossible to take Jesus' resurrection seriously and not look at ourselves and the world differently. "Resurrection is not complete, however, without the ascension and Pentecost... The resurrection offers us transformation in Christ, the ascension gives us the motivation to act and Pentecost the ability to do it." "The resurrection pulled the world of the Spirit – at least in part – into our own world." Therefore, Christ's work is now ours to do. It is done with the belief that death is not all powerful, and that beyond despair there is always hope. In this book, Gooder offers enlightening and inspiring thoughts by examining each of the four Gospel resurrection accounts.

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful devotional that carried me through the weeks of Eastertide into celebrating both the ascension and onto Pentecost. Such a great resource that took me ever deeper into the all pervasive, life altering, realities of the resurrection of Jesus and how it utterly changes everything! I will be returning to this in the years ahead!

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a series of reflections on the Resurrection, Ascension & Pentecost of Jesus. As such some are very good, some less so. But it is a very interesting book and we'll worth dipping into.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to read throughout the Easter season.

[Rocky Woolery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good to be reminded of the importance of the events following Easter.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exploration of scripture passages about resurrection