Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection

In addition to being a central tenet of Christianity, Jesus Christ’s resurrection is a powerful metaphor that relates to the human experience of change, hope and renewal. Although this event is frequently regarded literally, it can also be understood metaphorically to explore themes such as personal...

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Main Author: Chris Jones
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2025-05-01
Series:Verbum et Ecclesia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3441
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author Chris Jones
author_facet Chris Jones
author_sort Chris Jones
collection DOAJ
description In addition to being a central tenet of Christianity, Jesus Christ’s resurrection is a powerful metaphor that relates to the human experience of change, hope and renewal. Although this event is frequently regarded literally, it can also be understood metaphorically to explore themes such as personal and collective transformation. This article seeks to explore some of these multifaceted meanings by considering historical contexts of relevant biblical texts (mainly the four gospels and Paul) and literary, artistic and cultural expressions, culminating in the ongoing relevance of the resurrection narrative. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article illustrates the need for interpreting the ancient references to the resurrection of Jesus metaphorically. Interpreting these mythological descriptions in a realistic, historical and literal sense renders them anachronistic in our time. Resurrection, viewed metaphorically, can, however, still convey rich and meaningful perspectives. It can still be a core element of one’s existential belief.
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spelling doaj-art-71020d787eb04869bb63c6eeb0a6a8282025-08-20T03:07:37ZafrAOSISVerbum et Ecclesia1609-99822074-77052025-05-01461e1e910.4102/ve.v46i1.34412065Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrectionChris Jones0Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, StellenboschIn addition to being a central tenet of Christianity, Jesus Christ’s resurrection is a powerful metaphor that relates to the human experience of change, hope and renewal. Although this event is frequently regarded literally, it can also be understood metaphorically to explore themes such as personal and collective transformation. This article seeks to explore some of these multifaceted meanings by considering historical contexts of relevant biblical texts (mainly the four gospels and Paul) and literary, artistic and cultural expressions, culminating in the ongoing relevance of the resurrection narrative. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article illustrates the need for interpreting the ancient references to the resurrection of Jesus metaphorically. Interpreting these mythological descriptions in a realistic, historical and literal sense renders them anachronistic in our time. Resurrection, viewed metaphorically, can, however, still convey rich and meaningful perspectives. It can still be a core element of one’s existential belief.https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3441ancient near eastgospelsgraeco-romanjewish beliefsjesusliteratureregenerationresurrectiontransformation.
spellingShingle Chris Jones
Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
Verbum et Ecclesia
ancient near east
gospels
graeco-roman
jewish beliefs
jesus
literature
regeneration
resurrection
transformation.
title Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
title_full Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
title_fullStr Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
title_full_unstemmed Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
title_short Metaphorical understanding of Jesus’ resurrection
title_sort metaphorical understanding of jesus resurrection
topic ancient near east
gospels
graeco-roman
jewish beliefs
jesus
literature
regeneration
resurrection
transformation.
url https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3441
work_keys_str_mv AT chrisjones metaphoricalunderstandingofjesusresurrection