O 'Collins' Rethinking Fundamental Theology

Throughout his article “Rethinking Fundamental Theology”, O’Collins provides an analysis of the ideas surrounding the legitimacy of the revelation surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. O’Collins’ primary argument is that in order to believe in God, we must also believe in those who personally bore witness to his divinity. O’Collins goes on to outline three positions academics take with regards to the legitimacy of the resurrection. These include: (1) faith without reason, (2) faith based on evidence and (3) the subjective and objective factors involved in being faithful. O’Collins includes in his analysis of revelation, the vulnerability of faith as a means of legitimizing the Jesus’ resurrection. Through these academics O’Collins ascertains that faith, unlike …show more content…
Pennenberg argues that the resurrection is as attested as any documented event in ancient history. Pennenberg claims that historians have not accepted the resurrection as fact because of their adherence to natural law, which states that death is permanent. The strict obedience to this law limits the ability of historical research because they will look for evidence that is contrary to the resurrection. In order to combat the atheistic idea that faith is an unreasonable addiction, O’ Collins asserts that although there is enough evidence to believe in the resurrection, it is not persuasive enough “to take away cognitive freedom”. The last of O’Collins’ primary argument are the objective and subjective arguments associated with revelation. O’ Collins emphasizes that objectively, a belief in the resurrection is established through the testimonies of those who believe and have personally witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit. The Subjective belief in the revelation is based on the individuals’ own experience, which offers people the chance to understand various aspects of their own