The Signs of the New Temple
The Tabernacle Signs in John’s Gospel
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2023
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Publisher's Description
Recent monographs on Johannine signs tend to focus on a single sign. Other studies that examine multiple signs mainly focus on the first half of John's Gospel. In Christian circles, most preachers and believers remain preoccupied by the traditional view that John's Gospel contains only seven signs. However, what constitutes a sign for John, and how signs function to achieve the purpose of the Gospel (John 20:30-31) is far from settled. Three features of this book explore important clues for solving this puzzle: (1) a fresh hypothesis that Jesus's signs correspond to the four tabernacle signs (a pot of manna, Aaron's staff, the bronze altar cover, and the bronze serpent), which makes sense given the tabernacle/temple theme of John's Gospel; (2) a complete study that examines Johannine signs in the whole Gospel systematically to reveal how signs develop the book's purpose; and (3) an adaptation of a sociolinguistic theory to examine the corresponding texts of the Old Testament and New Testament in light of how language functions in a social event. The author will show how Jesus's signs fulfill the functions of the four tabernacle signs, and how Jesus's crucifixion is the "all-inclusive" sign in witnessing to his identity.
Endorsements (5)
“Start with a Gospel that heavily features tabernacle and temple imagery. Recognize some clear parallels with the contents of the ark of the covenant. Rummage around to see how many more you might find, all aided by a sophisticated use of systemic-functional linguistics. Mix thoroughly with the ongoing scholarly discussion about identifying signs in John, and out comes this book! Is it the definitive solution to the problem? I doubt it. Is it by far the most creative and provocative attempt at a solution? Most definitely!”
“Tat Yu Lam is to be commended for attempting a new and fresh approach to an old and important exegetical question in the Gospel of John. Many will agree with her critique of the traditional ‘seven signs,’ though all may not concur with her conclusion. Regardless, she has advanced previous scholarship and made us think more deeply about the biblical text, which is always a good thing.”
“The Signs of the New Temple is thought-provoking and deserves to be read. Tat Yu Lam has taken a fresh approach to the interpretation of the Johannine signs by attending closely to their correlation with the four physical signs in the Old Testament tabernacle. Doubtless this important monograph must be included in all future discussion of the signs or the new temple in the Fourth Gospel.”
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