N.T. (Tom) Wright is Cannon Theologian of Westminster Abbey.  He is considered by many to be the leading Jesus scholar in the United Kingdom, and is also a world authority on the apostle Paul. In this series, Wright discusses how Jesus’ resurrection was understood in the first century.  The Series The Historical Jesus.   The study of Jesus has produced many Jesus figures, most of whom have been found wanting before the bar of history. Who was Jesus?  Why was he killed?  What are scholars today saying about Jesus?  Jesus: The Resurrected Messiah.  Most messianic movements ended with the death of their founder.  Why did the Jesus movement survive — not only survive, but flourish?

The Jewish Understanding of Resurrection.  What did first century Jews believe about resurrection?  One thing most believed was that the righteous would be raised at the end of history, not, as Jesus was, in the middle of history. Paul’s Understanding of Jesus’ Resurrection.  For Paul, Jesus’ resurrection was the first fruits of all creation, and all who are ”in Christ” will be raised like him, though their resurrection bodies will be different from their earthly bodies. The Gospel Writers’ Understanding of Jesus’ Resurrection.  The Gospels have different details regarding Jesus’ post-resurrection physicality and appearances.  Are the Gospels’ witness to Jesus’ resurrection credible? 

Jesus’ Resurrection Today.  It is hard to account for the rise in Christianity if Jesus was not raised from the dead.  And it is hard to account for the written testimonies if the writers were not struggling to come to terms with something that actually happened.  How are we to understand Jesus’ resurrection today?

 Six-week study of the Resurrection of Jesus!