Something happened that week more than two centuries ago, in another culture, time, and place. We just don’t know exactly what. We weren’t there to witness anything. There was no printing press or tape recorder or internet back then.
As a religious studies major, intelligent, educated, a reader, who spent years in ministry, and am drawn to be curious about things like this. In 1987, I wrote a life-changing research paper on reincarnation as part of a college course. It had to begin with figuring out my criteria for Truth:
What would it take to convince me that something was True?
I made my list, and everything was (and still is) sifted against that list, that criteria.
In 1987, I was preparing for a career in ministry and attending a Catholic college, so biblical reference was part of my criteria, as was verification from third-party sources, and any personal experiences, too. And also, What made sense.
If our brain doesn’t buy it, it ain’t going to fly. And life is full of little mysteries…
Holy Week and a Resurrection
This kind of stuff is a personal, reflective, discernment process. Because of that, I’ll share some resources–authors and books–I’ve found interesting reading around this. You can use them and or add them to your own.
One author, now deceased, is a biblical scholar, retired Episcopal Bishop, husband, and father of four daughters, researcher, writer, and teacher. The other wrote her book as a novel or story–because it was a practical vehicle to express the inspiration she’d received. …which isn’t really that different from biblical sources, when you consider that inspired has never been empirically defined. We weren’t there to witness any of it or prove anything in it. And look how many translations are available of those biblical sources.
Here are two reflective resources that may bring additional light and perspective to biblical sources:
Resurrection: Myth or Reality
Resurrection: Myth or Reality by John Shelby Spong
The Book of Longings
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Blessings wherever your spirit leads you, whether books and reading or people, places, and experiences. Be present. Peace. – Anne