The resurrection as paradigm for power or for resistance?

Abstract

One of the most important and influential New Testament scholars of our times, John Dominic Crossan, has done extensive work on the resurrection – not as mere confession, but as a declaration of autonomy in defiance of the Roman Empire. He also emphasises the fact that the presence and influence of the idea of “empire” is not something that was left behind with the end of the Roman Empire, for in the study of the Historical Jesus and his significance we also find that we are dealing with empire. Nowhere has this become more clear in the South African context than in the debate (battle?) between church and university. With Crossan as dialogue partner, this article aims to study the empirical function of claims about the resurrection within these South African debates and their various claims to power and influence (context).