Title: Christ's resurrection in early Christianity : and the making of the New Testament /
Authors: Vinzent, Markus
Publisher: Ashgate,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Jesus Christ Resurrection History of doctrines
Abstract: "Why is the Resurrection of Christ so remote, almost non-existent in many early Christian writings of the first 140 years of Christianity? This is the first Patristic book to focus on the development of the belief in the Resurrection of Christ through the first centuries A.D. By Paul, Christ's Resurrection is regarded as the basis of Christian hope. In the fourth century it becomes a central Christian tenet. Today, it is even seen as the kick-start of the movement after Jesus' death on the cross. But what about the discrepancy in the first three centuries? This thought provoking book explores this core topic in Christian culture and theology. Taking a broad approach - including iconography, archaeology, history, philosophy, Jewish Studies and theology - Markus Vinzent offers innovative reading of well known texts complemented by rarely discussed evidence. "Christ's Resurrection in Early Christianity", takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the wilderness of unorthodox perspectives in the breadth of early Christian writings. It is an eye-opening experience with insights into the craftsmanship of early Christianity, the earliest existential debates about life and death, death and life. They all centred on the cross, on suffering, enduring and sacrifice." -- Publisher's description.
Contents: Introduction: A rise of the risen Christ? -- A second-century Easter homily -- "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless" (1 Cor. 15:17) -- The beginnings of the end. Jewish beginnings -- Jesus' death and resurrection : in the eyes of Jews and Samaritans -- Resurrection : lost in tradition? -- Sacrifice and eternal life in non-Pauline writings -- Paul and the resurrection rediscovered. The making of the New Testament -- The resurrection "mania" -- Paul's belief in the resurrection after Marcion -- The resurrection in fellow teachers of Marcion -- The rule of faith and the resurrection -- Celebrating life and death. Sabbath and Sunday -- The day on which "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Cor. 5:7) -- The so-called "Sunday" -- Barnabas and Ignatius on celebrating Christ's resurrection -- Pascha : "Commemorate my death!"