Description
This book deals with the resurrection of the crucified Jesus as the focal event affecting all Christian faith and theology. With such a concentration, however, we intend neither to add another specialisation to an already over-specialised theological curriculum, nor are we trying to fit the resurrection more neatly into a theological system as one question, doctrine or scriptural theme among many. But what we do intend is to explore is the focal character of the resurrection-event for faith, and, as a consequence, the need for theology, in all its specialisations—biblical, fundamental, systematic, liturgical and moral, to be located ‘in the resurrection’, so to speak, and to proceed in its light. With that end in mind, this is not ‘new theology’ of the resurrection, building on, or in contrast to, the outstanding work of other writers . . . Such a vast work of synthesis and systematic construction is surely a most desirable project for the future, even if beyond our present scope. On the other hand, this book can contribute to such a task, even if in a somewhat preliminary way, as it seeks to makes theology more ‘resurrectional’ in its method, mood and content. A fresh receptivity to the act of God in raising Jesus from the dead, along with a grateful appreciation of scholarship, past and present, will point in this direction. Consequently, we hope to make a contribution to the resurrection of theology as an assured, distinctive mode of Christian rationality.
‘This highly original work is one of, if not the first in the English-speaking world, full book-length attempts to bring insights from one of the most recent developments in western philosophy, namely those of philosophical phenomenology, to bear on the central mystery of the Christian faith, that is, the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, and the mystery of the Resurrection to bear, with renewed significance on our understanding and living of Christian spirituality. . . . , the most creative and stimulating contemporary full-length study on the subject that I have encountered in my decades of research on the Resurrection since my own dissertation work was completed in the 1970s. I was especially stimulated by Kelly’s use of the emerging discourse in philosophical phenomenology to address anew this most mysterious and foundational dimension of Christian revelation, the mystery on which everything we believe about God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and its effect in our lives, depends.’
From the Foreword by Sandra M Schneiders IHM
About the author
Reverend Professor Anthony (Tony) J Kelly CSsR (1938–2024) Author of over 20 books, a theologian and poet, Tony Kelly was President of Yarra Theological Union from 19801985 and 1994–1997, President of the Melbourne College of Divinity from 1984–1985, and Head of the Sub-Faculty of Philosophy and Theology at Australian Catholic University from 1999–2004. Tony undertook doctoral and post-doctoral studies in Rome, Toronto and Paris. Formerly President of the Australian Catholic Theological Association and past Chair of the Australian Catholic Institutes of Theology. In 2004, Tony was appointed by Pope John Pail II to the International Theological Commission and position he held till 2014.
