What actually happened at the resurrection of Jesus? Gerd Luedemann suggests that this question-considered unanswerable by many-is of crucial importance to Christians and that it can be answered more specifically than has been the case in recent studies.

Luedemann begins with the oldest list of witnesses to the resurrection (1 Corinithians 15) and proceeds from there to three texts from Paul and the Gospels to investigate the events of Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost.

The Easter faith, which Luedemann finds had originally nothing to do with the empty tomb, ultimately stems from visions of Peter and the other disciples, both men and women. These, along with Paul's vision on the road to Damascus, Luedemann examines by means of historical criticism and depth psychology. He concludes that the original core of the Easter faith reflects the message of Jesus as the experience of forgiveness of sins and the overcoming of death.

Luedemann treats controversial questions with directness and honestly. The result is a book that is at once provocative, stimulating and positive.