Discovering John: Content, Interpretation, Reception

by Ruth B. Edwards

Overview

Student-friendly introduction to the Gospel of John

This up-to-date introduction to John's Gospel is the first volume in the Discovering Biblical Texts series, which encourages students to engage deeply with the biblical writings by alerting them to key issues and questions raised by the text.

In Discovering John Ruth Edwards covers the structure, content, theological concerns, key interpretive debates, and historical reception of the Gospel of John. Does John still have meaning for the church and contemporary society? Does it need to be reinterpreted for today's world? Is it anti-Semitic? Edwards expertly guides readers through these questions and others, helping those interested in this provocative, sometimes enigmatic Gospel to discover the answers for themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467443463
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/10/2015
Series:	Discovering Biblical Texts (DBT)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Ruth B. Edwards is an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a priest of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition ix

Preface to the First Edition xi

List of Abbreviations xiii

1 Introduction 1

2 Interpreting John: Strategies for Reading 10

3 The Question of Authorship 24

4 Traditions, Sources and Relation to the 'Historical Jesus' 33

5 Purpose, Audience, Place and Date of Composition 45

6 Jesus' Miracles as Narrative Theology 59

7 Christological Confessions and Titles for Jesus 73

8 Jesus' Passion and Resurrection 86

9 Jesus: Word Incarnate and Father's Son 100

10 Characters in John's Story 115

11 'Anti-Semitism'/'Anti-Judaism' in John's Gospel? 131

12 'Replacement Theology' and Jewish Monotheism 142

13 Conclusions: The Value of John's Gospel Today 156

Table 1 The Structure of John's Gospel 170

Table 2 Jesus' Burial and Resurrection in the Gospels 172

Excursus 1 The Text of John 174

Excursus 2 The Problem of 'Eyewitness' Testimony 179

Notes 184

Bibliography 206

Index of Biblical References 239

Index of Ancient Authors and Texts 248

Index of Names and Subjects 250

Editorial Reviews

Craig S. Keener
— Asbury Theological Seminary
"Ruth Edwards here masterfully surveys the burgeoning secondary literature in Johannine studies, concisely yet with remarkable thoroughness. Readers will be impressed with her command of Johannine scholarship and will find this work one of the most helpful resources of its kind."

Catrin H. Williams
— University of Wales
"One of the most reliable and insightful guides to the text, interpretation, and reception of John's Gospel. . . . This splendid book will undoubtedly be appreciated for many years to come."

Francis J. Moloney
— Australian Catholic University
"With clarity, lightness of touch, and scholarly balance, Edwards engages with the complex debates generated by the Gospel of John. No issue is sidestepped. . . . A treasure for both scholar and student."

From the Publisher