Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community, Second Edition / Edition 2

by Craig R. Koester

Overview

Craig Koester's respected study uses the symbolic language of the Gospel of John as a focus to explore "the Gospel's literary dimensions, social and historical context, and theological import." This edition is fully revised and updated and includes a number of new sections on such topics as Judas and the knowledge of God. Fresh treatments are given on a number of issues, including the Gospel's Christology. This new edition offers both new insights and proven worth for students and scholars alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800635947
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	02/19/2003
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	710,549
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Craig R. Koester is Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St Paul, Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Union Theological Seminary in New York.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Abbreviations

Symbol, Meaning, and Mystery

Johannine Symbolism in Its Literary Context

Johannine Symbolism in Its Cultural Context

Interpreting Johannine Symbolism

Representative Figures

Character Portrayal in John's Gospel

Character Portrayal in Antiquity

Jesus

People Who Meet Jesus

Disciples and Friends of Jesus

The World of God and the Human Conditions

Symbolic Actions

New Wine - New Temple

Healing the Official's Son and the Invalid

Feeding the Five Thousand and Walking on the Sea

Healing the Man Born Blind

Raising Lazarus from the Dead

Anointing and Washing Feet

The Great Catch of Fish

Hearing, Seeing, and Believing in Johannine Theology

Light and Darkness

The True Light That Enlightens Everyone

One Who Came by Night

The Light of the World

The Light Is with You a Little Longer

Light and Darkness in the Passion Narrative

Light and Darkness in 1 John

God and Evil in Johannine Theology

Water

Baptism with Water and the Spirit

Living Water

Blood and Water at the Crucifixion

Water in 1 John

Cleansing from Sin and Thirst for God in Johannine Theology

The Crucifixion

Behold the Man

Behold the Lamb of God

Behold Your King

We Beheld His Glory

Behold Your Son, Behold Your Mother

Jesus' Death in Johannine Theology

Symbol and Community

Symbol and Unity

Symbol and Patterns of Discipleship

Symbol and the World

Symbol and the Knowledge of God

God the Father

Human Estrangement

Jesus as the Way

Appendixes on Special Topics

Sacramental Symbolism

Geographical Symbolism

Numerical Symbolism

Bibliography

Index of Subjects

Index of Authors

Editorial Reviews

Koester devotes far more space to probing the earthly images and the way in which symbols aid us in apprehending divine reality than he does on the referent of the image, or the divine reality itself. While the approach leaves us with helpful information about the symbols themselves and how they are intended to function, it leaves us with far less a grasp of the reality that they are supposed to convey.
— Society of Biblical Literature

Marianne Meye Thompson