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This risen existence : the spirit of Easter PDF

146 Pages·2015·2.567 MB·English
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G o Living in the power of the resurrection— o d e r 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 cen- tral 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 t Pentecost in Acts. h i s Arranged for daily reading through the seven weeks of Eastertide, This Risen Existence opens with an extended reflection on ancient r i and contemporary understandings of resurrection. Subsequent s e chapters lead us on an exciting journey of discovery through the n New Testament narratives in a quest to discover what resurrection tells us about life after death, the end times, and what it actually e means to be a Christian. x i s t e n c e Paula Gooder is an honorary lecturer at the University of Birmingham, Canon Theologian at Birmingham Cathedral, a Reader in the Church of England, and a member of General Synod. She is the author of A Way through the Wilder- ness (2009) and the best-selling Lent course, Lentwise (2010), and is coauthor of the Pilgrim course (2013). Theology / Spirituality This Risen Existence Paula Gooder is a freelance writer and lecturer in bibli­ cal studies. She is Canon Theologian of Birmingham Cathedral, a Reader in the Church of England, and a member of General Synod. Her numerous books include The Meaning is in the Waiting: The Spirit of Advent (Canterbury Press), Lent­ wise: Spiritual Essentials for Real Life (Church House Publishing), Exploring New Testament Greek: A Way In (SCM Press), Searching for Meaning: An Intro duction to Interpreting the New Testament (Westminster John Knox) and A Way Through the Wilderness (Church House Publishing). She lives in Birmingham. This Risen Existence The Spirit of Easter Paula Gooder Fortress Press Minneapolis THIS RISEN EXISTENCE The Spirit of Easter Fortress Press Edition © 2015 Copyright © Paula Gooder 2012. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Visit http://www. augsburgfortress.org/copyrights/ or write to Permissions, Augsburg Fortress, Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church­ es of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover design: Laurie Ingram Cover image © Jasmina007 / iStock Author photo: Abha Thakor Library of Congress Cataloging­in­Publication Data Print ISBN: 978­1­4514­9806­6 eBook ISBN: 978­1­4514­9809­7 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum re­ quirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materi­ als, ANSI Z329.48­1984. Manufactured in the U.S. contents How to Use this Book ix Introduction: Resurrection: A Reflection 1 1 Loose Ends: The Resurrection and Mark’s Gospel 19 2 Dramatic Events: The Resurrection and Matthew’s Gospel 28 3 On the Way: The Resurrection and Luke’s Gospel 39 4 Lifted up: The Resurrection and John’s Gospel 52 5 Life and Death: The Resurrection and the Epistles 65 6 At the Right Hand of God: The Ascension 94 7 Spirit­filled Lives: Pentecost 110 Epilogue 126 Biblical Index 128 {v} For my dear friend Toni, who has, on various occasions, been to me the Spirit of Resurrection when I needed it most. how to use this book This book is in some ways self­indulgent. Easter is one of my favourite times of the year and resurrec­ tion one of the pillars of my faith. Yet many years I find myself disappointed. We work our way through Lent, reflecting deeply on issues of life and faith and, at last, arrive at Easter Day, when so often we stop our study and carry on as before. Many people read Lent books, some of which explore Jesus’ journey to the cross but then stop just before the resurrection or, occasionally, mention the resurrection in their last chapter. I have for many years longed for a book that would take me on a journey through Easter to Ascension Day and Pentecost, which would allow me to think more deeply and seriously about what the resurrection means to me and the way in which I live my life. (Such a book might also allow me to rectify the fact that I never did quite finish that Lent book I began six weeks ago!) In the end, I decided that the only thing to do was to write my own Easter book, which could accompany me on a journey through the stories and ideas about resurrec­ tion we encounter in the Bible, and to ask what living a resurrection life might mean. So this book is largely self­ indulgent, but I hope not entirely so. If you, like me, have wanted to travel more deeply into what Jesus’ rising from the dead really means, then I hope this book might be a helpful companion on your journey. {ix}

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