Analyzing James F. Keenan's 'Upper Room'

In the article “What the disciples learned while grieving in ‘The Upper Room’” by James F. Keenan. The author dives into the importance of the “Upper Room” regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ after crucifixion. Keenan explores the disciples' experiences post crucifixion, following their journey through grievance to the recognition of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The beginning of the article sets the initial understanding of the disciples' feelings of disbelief, fear and mourning of Jesus’ death. Citing passages from the Gospels of John, Mark, Luke, and Acts. Throughout the narrative, many different encounters within the “Upper Room” are explored. Including when Mary of Magdalene discovers the empty tomb of Jesus Christ and is met by two

Lastly, Kennan keys in on the role of grief and the vulnerability through the disciples’ journey of recognizing Jesus. The disciples’ grief was not an obstacle to them recognizing Jesus, but rather, the passageway to the recognition. He explains that their initial disbelief gave way to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ love and resurrection. Overall, the article provides a factual summary of the events that occurred after Jesus’ crucifixion and its direct effect on the disciples’ within the “Upper Room” which highlights the transformation of faith and reason while also providing context to how the disciples’ reasoned with something that challenged their faith, with help from Jesus Christ of

For example, when Mary of Magdalene reports to the disciples’ in the ‘Upper Room’ they do not believe her. This is a rational conclusion considering they have witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and are currently in mourning (Mark 16: 2-10). Also two more men came to the disciples in the ‘Upper Room’ reporting that Jesus had appeared to them (Luke 24: 13-37), and yet again the disciples did not believe. Their disbelief seems to be a rational response as well as empirical due to the lack of evidence. I would argue that something of this magnitude would require a transnational response as religious faith is above reason and unnecessary. The disciples’ initial skepticism reflects notions that serious claims must be made only with rational proof. By focusing on Keenan’s narrative and the philosophical material taught on faith and reason, I am able to gain a deeper understanding of both complex topics of rationalism and religious belief. Keenan's article provides a provoking outlook between doubt and the evidence of faith and reasoning. Moreover, in my own life experiences, I have struggled with questions of faith and reason. Specifically during times of doubt or times where I just didn’t know what the outcome would be. Aligning