Resurrection: Theological and Scientific Assessments

Jacket Description/Back: 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 AssmannErnst M. ConradieFrank CrsemannBrian E. Daley, S. J. Hans-Joachim EcksteinDirk EversNoreen HerzfeldPeter LampeDetlef B. LinkeNancey MurphyBernd OberdorferTed PetersJohn PolkinghorneRobert John RussellJeffrey P. SchlossAndreas SchueleGnter ThomasMichael Welker Review Citations:

Commonweal 04/11/2003 pg. 26 (EAN 9780802805195, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Peters, Ted Peters is professor of systematic theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. Contributor Bio:  Russell, Robert John Russell is Professor of Theology and Science in Residence at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and Founder and Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences. Contributor Bio:  Welker, Michael Michael Welker is professor and chair of systematic theology at the Theological Faculty of the University of Heidelberg, Germany.