The origin of the resurrection idea: A dialogue with George Nickelsburg

Abstract

This is a review article on George W E Nickelsburg’s book Resurrection, immortality, and eternal life in intertestamental Judaism and early Christianity. The aim of this article is to reflect on the results of Nickelsburg’s research with regard to the earliest Christians’ understanding of Jesus’ resurrection. Nickelsburg investigated the topic of the afterlife in intertestamental Judaism and early Christianity from three perspectives namely, resurrection, immortality, and eternal life. The book focuses on the origins of these perspectives and the dynamics involved in the development of theological understanding of Jesus’ resurrection in earliest Christianity. Part one of the article represents the content of Nickelsburg’s book, and part two consists of comments debating the results that Nickelsburg puts on the table.