"The key to understanding [the Resurrection] . . . is recognizing that the Early Christians were Jewish by background and deeply shaped by their formative Jewish traditions. With a close comparison of the New Testament witness to antecedents in the Hebrew scriptures, Spong argues convincingly that many of the details of Jesus' life and his crucifixion are not historical, but derive instead from the Jewish tradition of Midrash, expository teachings that employ the retelling of sacred stories from the Jewish past in order to understand the powerful experience of God in the Jewish present." from book jacket

“Death cannot contain him, we have seen the Lord!”

What really happened two thousand years ago? Bishop Spong takes us on a journey through the scriptures as he uncovers clues leading to the truth about the resurrection.

[1] Beginning with Paul and then traversing the four gospels one at the time, Spong covers what the Bible tells about the historical event.

[2] Leading into “interpretive images,” he next discusses several ways the Bible adds meaning to the story: the atoning sacrifice of Hebrews, the suffering servant, and the Son of Man.

[3] Then come five “clues,” Biblical stories that lend insight into how the resurrection Jesus was perceived.

[4] Finally, Spong provides his own “speculative reconstruction” about what he believes truly happened.

Spong is, of course, a liberal Christian. Don’t expect a conservative explanation. He concludes, however, that “Behind the legends that grew up around this moment, there is a reality I can never deny. Jesus lives. I have seen the Lord.” ( )

Spong has some interesting, unconventional ideas. I generally read his books and come away thinking he has pointed toward but not actually committed to a position regarding religious claims (the nature of God, the significance of Jesus, etc.) but I keep reading him anyway. ( )