Resurrection: Theological and Scientific Assessments - Paperback

by Ted Peters (Editor), Robert J. Russell (Editor), Michael Welker (Editor)

In this volume first-rate scientists and theologians from both sides of the Atlantic explore the Christian concept of bodily resurrection in light of the views of contemporary science.

Whether it be the Easter resurrection of Jesus or the promised new life of individual believers, the authors argue that resurrection must be conceived as "embodied" and that our bodies cannot exist apart from their worldly environment. Yet nothing in today's scientific disciplines supports the possibility of either bodily resurrection or the new creation of the universe at large. Cosmology, for example, only forecasts an end to the universe. If persons and the cosmos are to rise up anew in the eschaton, such an event will have to be a willful act of God. Thus, while modern science can offer aid in constructing models for picturing what "resurrection of the body" could mean, the warrant for this belief must come from distinctly theological resources such as divine revelation. Christian faith ultimately gains its strength not from modern science but from God's promises.

Bridging such disciplines as physics, biology, neuroscience, philosophy, biblical studies, and theology, Resurrection offers fascinating reading to anyone interested in this vital Christian belief or in the intersection of faith and scientific thought.

Contributors:
Jan Assmann
Ernst M. Conradie
Frank Crüsemann
Brian E. Daley, S.J.
Hans-Joachim Eckstein
Dirk Evers
Noreen Herzfeld
Peter Lampe
Detlef B. Linke
Nancey Murphy
Bernd Oberdorfer
Ted Peters
John Polkinghorne
Robert John Russell
Jeffrey P. Schloss
Andreas Schuele
Günter Thomas
Michael Welker

Back Jacket

In this volume first-rate scientists and theologians from both sides of the Atlantic explore the Christian concept of bodily resurrection in light of the views of contemporary science.

Whether it be the Easter resurrection of Jesus or the promised new life of individual believers, the authors argue that resurrection must be conceived as embodied and that our bodies cannot exist apart from their worldly environment. Yet nothing in todays scientific disciplines supports the possibility of either bodily resurrection or the new creation of the universe at large. Cosmology, for example, only forecasts an end to the universe. If persons and the cosmos are to rise up anew in the eschaton, such an event will have to be a willful act of God. Thus, while modern science can offer aid in constructing models for picturing what resurrection of the body could mean, the warrant for this belief must come from distinctly theological resources such as divine revelation. Christian faith ultimately gains its strength not from modern science but from Gods promises.

Bridging such disciplines as physics, biology, neuroscience, philosophy, biblical studies, and theology, "Resurrection" offers fascinating reading to anyone interested in this vital Christian belief or in the intersection of faith and scientific thought.

CONTRIBUTORS: Jan Assmann
Ernst M. Conradie
Frank Crsemann
Brian E. Daley, S.J.
Hans-Joachim Eckstein
Dirk Evers
Noreen Herzfeld
Peter Lampe
Detlef B. Linke
Nancey Murphy
Bernd Oberdorfer
Ted Peters
John Polkinghorne
Robert John Russell
Jeffrey P. Schloss
Andreas Schuele
Gnter Thomas
Michael Welker

Author Biography

Ted Peters is professor of systematic theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California.

Michael Welker is senior professor at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and executive director of the Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology. He is the author or editor of dozens of books, including God the Spirit, The Work of the Spirit, God the Revealed, Creation and Reality, What Happens in Holy Communion?, and The Depth of the Human Person.