Abstract
In this short volume, Novakovic engages in concise yet informed discussions on thorny issues related to Jesus’ resurrection. She begins by asking what the ancients meant by ‘resurrection’. In chapter one, she discusses the idea of resurrection in Jewish scriptures and early Jewish literature written during Second-Temple Judaism. She concludes that resurrection typically involves the corpse and will occur as a corporate event at the eschaton. In chapter two, she examines statements about resurrection in Paul’s letters. Although he also thinks of resurrection as a bodily event, Paul emphasizes a discontinuity between our present mortal body and the resurrection body. In chapter three, Novakovic turns to the empty tomb narratives in the canonical Gospels and concludes Jesus’ tomb was probably empty, although there are a number of causes that could account for its vacancy.
In chapter four, Novakovic examines Jesus’ resurrection appearances in the canonical Gospels and concludes the appearance traditions rose independently of the traditions about the empty tomb. Moreover, while Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels is portrayed as a bodily event, the evangelists differ from Paul in their focus on the continuity between our present and future bodies. In chapter five, she discusses whether historians are within their professional rights to investigate miracle claims, which she describes as ‘one of the most contentious questions in the study of Jesus’ resurrection’ (p. 155). Novakovic sides with those scholars who think the event of Jesus’ resurrection is not accessible to historical inquiry while the empty tomb and the beliefs of a number of Jesus’ disciples to have experienced appearances of the resurrected Jesus are. In the final chapter, Novakovic discusses the theological implications of Jesus’ resurrection drawn by the New Testament authors, such as the hope of eternal life, Jesus’ identity as Messiah, God’s character, and the Christian life.
Novakovic has provided readers with a very good overview and non-exhaustive treatment of a number of important issues inherent in serious discussions pertaining to Jesus’ resurrection. Readers, myself included, will not agree with some of her conclusions. But that should not prevent us from benefitting from her insightful discussions in this nice contribution.