Diving into the Gospel of John
Life through Believing
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2023
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Publisher's Description
Diving into the Gospel of John displays the rich and diverse arguments John presents for his thesis that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing, readers/listeners will find eternal life. John's arguments are developed in four parts. The first two chapters develop the author's literary techniques that are often based on ambiguity and his key symbols and concepts, the understanding of which are essential to fully appreciate the Gospel. Chapters 3 through 6 progressively portray the author's evidence for his thesis in the form of signs, testimony of those who encounter Jesus, Jesus's self-identification, and Jesus's relationships to others. Chapters 7 and 8 show how the author uses theatrically patterned dialogues and triadic discourses to convey Jesus's identity and mission. Finally, chapters 9 through 11 provide important hints that the author gives for his thesis: Jesus's appeals to time, the indirect use of seven as the number of completeness, and invocation of parentage in pointing to salvation. Through diving into the Gospel, readers will discover the richness of John's argument, the Jesus he portrays, and the God Jesus reveals. The book aims to stimulate commitment, challenge mind and spirit, and encourage further reflection and conversation.
Endorsements (4)
“It is a pleasure to read a new approach to John’s Gospel. Bruce Reichenbach addresses the entire text but not in the style of a commentary; instead, he offers eleven different ‘boards’ as the starting points for diving into the pool of John’s Gospel, informing and developing the reader’s awareness of the evangelist’s artistry. This book will appeal to academics, college students, and pastors, and is well worth having in your library.”
“In Diving into the Gospel of John, the student of this Gospel is coached how to look with fresh eyes to see ‘his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth’ and respond with greater faith in who he is and what he has done. I am left with a sense of urgency to read and meditate on the Gospel of John once again.”
“Reichenbach’s latest contribution brings a fresh and creative approach to the theology of the Fourth Gospel. His study highlights the complex interaction of ambiguity, double meaning, and symbolism in the reader’s progressive experience of the Johannine narrative. As the story unfolds, John uses numbers, time, and the key metaphor of ‘parentage’ to gradually shape the reader’s perception of his main character, Jesus. Helpful reflection questions encourage believing readers to apply conclusions to their personal experience.”
“In this new and readable introduction to the Gospel of John, Bruce Reichenbach guides readers through eleven lenses—or ‘books’—through which to view ‘the beauty, architectural and theological integrity, richness of thought and characters, symbolic ideas, and penetrating themes and insights the Gospel expresses.’ In so doing, he follows the synchronic approach of Alan Culpepper while also embracing the memory-theory approach of Tom Thatcher, addressing the Johannine riddles lucidly to the benefit of the reader. I like this book!”
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