Francis Moloney's Nod to Raymond Brown

Another forthcoming book by Francis Moloney will be out in time for SBL and the title is evocative for whom Moloney is paying tribute. Raymond E. Brown was asked on more than one occasion after having written both on the birth and death of Jesus if he would also write on his resurrection. Brown's reply was memorable: "I think I'll save that for the personal experience." (Roland J. Faley, T.O.R., "Raymond E. Brown: A Reflection," Union Seminary Quarterly Review,52/3-4 [1998]: 27-28, here 28).

No one is more qualified to tackle the resurrection in memory of Raymond Brown, after all, Moloney is the scholar responsible for bringing Brown's posthumous work on an update to the latter's classic John commentary in An Introduction to the Gospel of John . Here, Moloney will take his considerable skill as a narrative critic and exegete in his explorations of how the four Gospels portray Jesus' resurrection. Here is the description:

Francis J. Moloney

Francis Moloney's new book takes its inspiration from the critically acclaimed publications of the renowned biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown The Birth of the Messiah and The Death of the Messiah. In The Resurrection of the Messiah, Moloney provides a narrative reading of the resurrection stories in Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. His focus is almost entirely upon the text itself. Guided by current scholarship, he uncovers the perennial significance of the four resurrection narratives, accepted and read as Sacred Scripture in the Christian tradition. Without disregarding the historical background that must be understood for an appreciation of the story, a narrative commentary attempts to trace the intended impact of that story upon its readers. This reading and interpretative process uncovers the literary structure of a passage, and then follows the unfolding of the narrative itself, allowing it to speak for itself. The thrust of the book is to uncover the unique theological and pastoral message communicated by means of the narratives. Moloney concludes that we rejoice in what Jesus has done for us in and through the resurrection. This is especially true in our current era, when Christian institutions and practice are under threat from many sides, and also from the way Christianity is lived by many of us. The stories of the resurrection of the Messiah assure us that Jesus promises come true, that our fears, doubts, failures and sin are overcome, as we are sent out again and again on mission, accompanied by the never-failing presence of Jesus in the gift of his Spirit.