Is This All There Is? - by Gerhard Lohfink (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

2020 Catholic Press Association second place award for English translation edition

Is the Christian hope for resurrection still alive or has it become tired? How can we talk about the Resurrection today? Gerhard Lohfink takes up the question of death and resurrection in this new book. He argues against the dazzling array of today's ideas and expectations and seeks his answers in Scripture, the Christian tradition, and human reason. With his characteristically gentle but clear language, he reveals the power of Christian resurrection, showing it is not about events that lie in the distant future but rather occurrences incomprehensively close to us. They were long since begun and they will embrace us fully in our own death..

Review Quotes

"Addressing a broad audience with clear pastoral concern, Gerhard Lohfink admits that the questions which he raises in this volume are his own as well. He brings not only a wealth of biblical and theological sources, but also poetry, literature, science, and his own creative speculation to bear on the ultimate question which faces us all: Is This All There Is? Confronted with the stark reality of two possibilities--nothingness or radical hope--Lohfink centers his reflections on the Christian conviction that in the resurrection of Jesus, God's final `new creation' has already begun. Grounded in that hope he invites his readers to consider what it means to live with and in Christ--not only in the future, but here and now. This text is provocative, passionate, and pastoral--a rare combination and a volume well worth pondering."Mary Catherine Hilkert, OP, Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

"Gerhard Lohfink has given us a splendid book: biblically grounded, theologically astute, spiritually concrete and challenging. In a style that is limpid, poetic, and personal, he leads the reader deeper into the mystery of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection and to a renewed sense of the hope that is in all who believe in the risen Christ. Lohfink's work wonderfully rekindles Christian eschatological faith and imagination."Robert Imbelli, Associate professor emeritus, Boston College, author of Rekindling the Christic Imagination

"Gerhard Lohfink's Is This All There Is? is a stunningly original, profound, and spiritually uplifting and challenging book. Three things stand out in it. First, we cannot validly use our notions of space and time when we talk about life after death. There is a purification process but seeing purgatory as a space like ours and reckoning time in the process as we do on earth is profoundly mistaken. Second, eternal life and resurrection is a pure gift from God. We share in the resurrection of Jesus, the firstborn from the dead. Finally, we need to juxtapose God's justice and his mercy. Excellent chapters deal with our caring for the dying and preparing for our own deaths. It is also a very well-written book."John A. Coleman, Casassa Professor Emeritus at Loyola Marymount University, Associate Pastor at Saint Ignatius Parish, San Francisco

"Highly recommend this book as a profound invitation to reflect on the ultimate issues of death and life."Theological Studies

"If you are planning to read this book, prepare for an exhilarating and surprising ride. Lohfink leads us through all the imaginable possibilities of what happens to us when we die and then moves to a most profound description of what our faith teaches us. This is a book that must be read at least twice. Also take time to enjoy Linda Maloney's excellent translation."Irene Nowell, OSB, author of Wisdom: The Good Life

"This is exactly what one expects from Lohfink, the distinguished biblical scholar and respected theologian: a book that is hugely informed, consistently provocative, conscientiously pastoral, and--in the best sense of the word--imaginative."Dale C. Allison Jr., Princeton Theological Seminary, author of Night Comes: Death, Imagination, and the Last Things

"Thoughtful, entertaining . . . Asking big religious questions Lohfink takes aim at classic discussions of faith from a Christian perspective rooted in wonder and trust. This intelligent, gracious book is a welcome contribution to theological conversations about life, death, and resurrection."Publishers Weekly Starred Review