In The Reality of the Resurrection Stefan Alkier bridges the chasm between history and theology. Through a patient historical, canonical, and hermeneutical study, Alkier demonstrates that the resurrection of Jesus is inextricably bound to the general eschatological resurrection of the dead. Jesus' resurrection is no isolated miracle but is instead the crucial disclosure of the nature of reality, the identity of God, and the destiny of human beings. Interpretation of Jesus' resurrection is thus necessarily and unavoidably both historical and theological.

Through a descriptive exegetical survey of New Testament rhetoric, Alkier locates the resurrection of the Crucified One within a distinct narrative world. He then employs the semiotics of C. S. Peirce to develop a creative epistemology that avoids propositional literalism and modernist reductionism. Alkier finally outlines how resurrection impacts Christian praxis.

The Reality of the Resurrection witnesses to that which Paul names as of "first importance"--not only for the early Christian communities but also for the shaping of our communities today.

Stefan Alkier
translated by Leroy A. Huizenga
foreword by Richard B. Hays

Foreword to the English Edition

Foreword to the German Edition

Introduction

Part I

Resurrection and the New Testament

Exegetical Investigations

1 The Pauline Literature

2 Hebrews

3 Synoptic Gospels and Acts

4 The Johannine Writings

5 The Catholic Letters

Part II

Resurrection and the New Testament

Systematic Interpretations

6 The Fundamental Structure of Resurrection Discourse in the Writings of the New Testament and the Problem Posed for the Second Part of the Investigation

7 The Conception of Reality According to Categorical Semiotics

8 Semiotic Interpretation of the Phenomena of Resurrection Discourse in the Writings of the New Testament

9 Semiotic Interpretation of Protestant Resurrection Discourse Today

Part III

Resurrection and the New Testament

Ecclesial and Educational Praxis

10 Protestant Discourse about Death and Resurrection in Funeral Services

11 Resurrection as a Theme in Religious School Instruction

12 The Lord's Supper as a Gift of the Resurrected Crucified One

Notes

Bibliography

Index