Catholica Commentary by Fr Peter Dresser: God is Big .... Real BIG! (Chapter 6: Religion and Literalism Part 5)

"God is Big ..... Real BIG!" by Fr Peter Dresser (Chapter Six - Part 5)

If we don't take the concept of the Resurrection literally — as some kind of bodily rescussitaiton — how are to to interpret it? That is the key question Peter Dresser attempts to explore in this fifth extract from Chapter Six of his book. All of us tend to "tip toe through the tulips" on this one for fear of getting into trouble with the fundamentalistis who elevate some kind of literal interpretation of the Resurrection as a "litmus test of orthodoxy". How do you understand the Resurrection? What do you think of Peter Dresser's treatment of the subject?

Chapter Six (Part 5): Religion & Literalism

Resurrection...

Sulpician theologian, Fr Raymond E. Brown (1928-1998). Click image or logo at left to see more on Wikipedia.

Raymond Brown was a world recognised biblical scholar and theologian and wrote many learned documents some of which deal with fundamental issues that impact quite significantly on our Christian faith. Two topics that he explored in some detail were the virginal conception and the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Because of Brown's highly respected status, a story is told of a certain theologian who died and eventually met up with Jesus. He told him that he had been looking forward to talking with him face-to-face because he wanted to ask him some questions pertaining to his bodily resurrection from the dead. To which Jesus replied, "Don't ask me, ask Raymond Brown!"

Having investigated the biblical evidence particularly regarding the evolution of the empty tomb narratives, Brown found that it was the insight of faith that shaped the narratives of the discovery of the tomb. He judges that Christians can and indeed should continue to speak of a bodily resurrection of Jesus but not as a body that we know bodies, bound by the dimensions of space and time. He sees the resurrection as some kind of spiritual rather than a natural phenomenon.[41] By way of conclusion he states that the biblical evidence "continues to favor the idea of a bodily resurrection, although at the same time it serves to correct a notion popular in the past that would equate resurrection with physical resuscitation."[42]

The Virginal Conception and Bodily Resurrection of Jesus by Raymond E Brown

It is important that we do not accept resurrection in a literal sense as being a resuscitation — and Jesus literally coming alive and dancing on the tomb! Those who insist on interpreting Jesus' resurrection as his physical restoration have perhaps never considered the difficulties raised by such a view. Sadly, for many and perhaps most Christians the resurrection is simply the reversal of the death of Jesus. Jesus somehow resumed his corpse and physically emerged from the tomb. It is the meaning and significance of resurrection that are the important issues. In practical terms the resurrection means that "the community (of the Church) lives in the awareness that the dead Jesus is alive and with his community."[43] In other words the focus or locus of resurrection was in the minds and hearts of the followers of Jesus. For the disciples to have reached the conviction that God raised Jesus from the dead, some process of conversion, a growing faith must have preceded this point.[44] The Kerygma or the teaching proclamation of the early church was that Jesus was alive and well but this assertion does not rely on evidence about an empty tomb. Thus we have scholars such as Rudolph Bultmann clearly stating that "Easter is not a fact to be cited as evidence for believers; Easter is itself an object of faith."[45]

The Theologoumenon of the "third day"...

It is not my intention to prolong discussion on the literal interpretation of resurrection except to say that once again we are confronted with religious language. Even the expression that Jesus was raised up on the third day is not to be taken literally. The expression "third day" is a theologoumenon — a kind of theological expression in the Scriptures that usually identifies God's presence in what is taking place and is a final proof of his faithfulness, justice and love. Other references to the third day appear in Hosea 6:2 ("on the third day he will raise us up that we may live before him"), Jonah was spewed from the belly of the whale on the third day [Jonah 2:10], and Lazarus was raised from the dead after three days in the tomb. Also in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark the feeding of the four thousand occurred on the third day [Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:1]. Jesus was found in the Temple by his parents on the third day [Luke2: 46]. There are similar such examples. The point is that on the third day the Spirit of God prevails in a very special way and his presence in what is taking place is a proof of his faithfulness, justice and love. There is a surge of life giving energy, of healing and vitality on the third day.

The bodily resurrection of Jesus should not be taken literally in any way except in the spiritual sense outlined above. In this respect it is interesting to note that the so-called appearances of Jesus after the resurrection are invariably vague and shadowy. Jesus was sometimes recognised but usually not. His appearances were sporadic, elusive and evanescent and were experiences which "lay on the extreme edge of normal human experience".[46] Usually they are in the context of a shared meal that represents the Eucharist which is of course the memorial of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

More about resurrection when we come to look at our own deaths and resurrections. I must stress, however, that simply to see resurrection in the literal sense of something like the resumption of a corpse is to do a great violence to any intelligent person and certainly impoverishes one's Christian faith. Can I suggest that even now we share in the resurrection of Jesus insofar as we respond to the action of God in ourselves and in others. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus was in reality a resurrection of and for his followers! What Paul saw in Christ was the full realisation of sharing. We are the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are part of each other in the world and are linked together with Jesus in his new closeness with his God. It is a total experiential encounter with the dynamic, freeing, and healing Spirit of the Universal Soul.

NEXT WEEK: Chapter Six Part VI: "Religion and Literalism"

“Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus was in reality a resurrection of and for his followers! What Paul saw in Christ was the full realisation of sharing. We are the Body of Christ” ...Peter Dresser

FOOTNOTES:
[41] Raymond Brown, The Virginal Conception and Bodily Resurrection of Jesus, Paulist Press, New York, 1973, p.127-128
[42] Ibid. p.132
[43] Edmund Flood, The Evidence about Jesus, Living Parish Pamphlets, R.H.Jones Ltd., Gwent, 1975, p.62
[44] P. Schmidt, "The Interpretation of the Resurrection: historical and theological truth", in Communio,Spring, 1984, p.82
[45] W. Kasper, Jesus the Christ, Burns and Oates, London, 1976, p.134
[46] C.H. Dodd, The Founder of Christianity, Fontana Books, London, 1973, p.175

IMAGE CREDITS:
Clicking on the images in the body of this article will take you to the original source and further information.

Peter Dresser grew up in Orange NSW. On completing his Leaving Certificate he studied for some years at Springwood and Manly Seminaries. His life journey has led him down diverse paths and he enjoyed the experience of many and varied employments including postman, public servant and factory worker. He has appreciated his exposure to different life styles and religions and his involvement with music and sport, particularly Rugby League. He eventually turned to teaching where he found an easy rapport with and respect for young people. Peter decided to continue with his studies for Priesthood and entered St. Paul’s Seminary. He was ordained in 1990. Peter's love for his Catholic religion dates from his very early years. His involvement with Science is only a recent phenomenon. His fascination with nature has always been predominant. His continuing pastoral concern is that the Good News proclaimed by Jesus be preached and mediated meaningfully in all its richness and fullness to the contemporary world. Peter holds degrees in Arts and Theology and a Diploma in Education. He produced this document in 2004 whilst Parish Priest of Kandos in Central West NSW. He now lives privately in retirement at Kandos where he spent six memorable years.

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[Index of Commentaries by Fr Peter Dresser]

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