Exploring the Transfiguration Story - Paperback

by John Michael Perry (Author)

In this concise study, John Perry enables the reader to see that the Transfiguration story does not recount an actual event, but was created to teach an important "symbolic" lesson abou thte Risen Jesus. To that end, he explains: (1) the conflict within the early church that called the story into being; (2) the nature ofmidrash and the role that it played in the formation of the story. Perry then considers why Mark, the writer of the first Gospel, decided to modify the Transfiguration story known to him and use it in his Gospel. Finally, answers are provided for 12 questiosn frequently prompted by contemporary readings of this story. These answers shed considerable light on the way the early church went about the task of preserving and interpreting the sacred history of Jesus.

Author Biography

John Michael Perry is a professor of religious studies and philosophy at Stritch College in Milwaukee. In addition to teaching regular courses in modern biblical criticism and philosophy at Stritch, he conducts a variety of scripture classes for Catholic parishes in the Milwaukee area.