The Gospel according to John presents Jesus in a unique way as compared with other New Testament writings. Scholars have long puzzled and pondered over why this should be. In this book, James McGrath offers a convincing explanation of how and why the author of the Fourth Gospel arrived at a christological portrait of Jesus that is so different from that of other New Testament authors, and yet at the same time clearly has its roots in earlier tradition. McGrath suggests that as the author of this Gospel sought to defend his beliefs about Jesus against the objections brought by opponents, he developed and drew out further implications from the beliefs he inherited. The book studies this process using insights from the field of sociology which helps to bring methodological clarity to the important issue of the development of Johannine Christology.
"The Gospel according to John presents Jesus in a unique way as compared with other New Testament writings. Scholars have long puzzled and pondered over why this should be. In this book, James McGrath offers a convincing explanation of how and why the author of the Fourth Gospel arrived at a christological portrait of Jesus that is so different from that of other New Testament authors, and yet at the same time clearly has its roots in earlier tradition. McGrath suggests that as the author of this Gospel sought to defend his beliefs about Jesus against the objections brought by opponents, he developed and drew out further implications from the beliefs he inherited. The book studies this process using insights from the field of sociology which helps to bring methodological clarity to the important issue of the development of Johannine Christology."--Jacket.
The Gospel according to John presents Jesus in a unique way as compared with other New Testament writings. Scholars have long puzzled and pondered over why this should be. In this book, James McGrath offers a convincing explanation of how and why the author of the Fourth Gospel arrived at a christological portrait of Jesus that is so different from that of other New Testament authors, and yet at the same time clearly has its roots in earlier tradition. McGrath suggests that as the author of this Gospel sought to defend his beliefs about Jesus against the objections brought by opponents, he developed and drew out further implications from the beliefs he inherited. The book studies this process using insights from the field of sociology which helps to bring methodological clarity to the important issue of the development of Johannine Christology.
Those who give primacy to evidence in the apologetic task have long maintained that (1) this is exactly the biblical writers' approach - maintaining, as they do, that they ""saw and heard"" the things of which they speak - and (2) such reasoning is funda- mental to society in general, as exemplified in every civilised legal system. Henry Hock Guan Teh concretises these vital points by way of the Gospel of John, where the Apostle consistently marshals eyewitness evidence to show that ""Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through His name"" (John 20:31). No finer or more scholarly support for a biblically grounded, factual, juridically sophisticated defence of Christian truth is available. Professional and lay evangelists - and anyone endeavouring to ""preach the gospel to every creature"" - simply must obtain and be- nefit from this book. And sceptical lawyers, needless to say, owe it to themselves to wrestle with the author's case for the only historical religion that holds up in court. John Warwick Montgomery, Ph.D., D.Théol., LL.D., Professor Emeritus of Law and Hu- manities, University of Bedfordshire, England; Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University Wisconsin, USA; Director, International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights, Strasbourg, France Dr. Teh's book is in the same genre as those by Simon Greenleaf professor Dr. John War- wick Montgomery, Craig Parton. Esq., and Prof. Dr. Ross Clifford. As can be seen by the title, Dr. Teh concentrates on the Gospel of John - chapter-by-chapter. His powerful ar- gument can even be comprehended by those of us not legally trained. Recommended. Dr. Rod Rosenbladt, Professor of Theology. Concordia University Irvine. 1517legacy.com This book will greatly help people understand the legal, historical and rational case for Christianity. Dr Henry Teh uniquely focuses on John's gospel and establishes the Case for Jesus Resurrection through the ""best"" evidence principle. This emphases on John's gospel establishes that it is a key text for Christian apologetics. The book is a compel- ling read for those who take 1 Peter 3:15 seriously. And for those who believe Jesus is a fairy-tale, it will cause them to reconsider the fact of his Resurrection. It is well written and a must addition to one's apologetic armoury. Rev Dr. Ross Clifford AM, Principal of Morling Theological College - Sydney, Australia Author of ""John Montgomery's Legal Apologetic"" Henry Hock Guan Teh obtained his Ph.D. from Trinity Theological Seminary, Indiana, USA where he studied apologetics under Prof. John Warwick Montgomery and also at International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism & Human Rights, Strasbourg, France. With two British law degrees, he was also a trial lawyer and chief law examiner. Presently, Henry Teh is adjunct lecturer in Philosophy, Ethics and Law.
The culmination of a lifetime of work on the Gospel of John, William Loader's Jesus in John's Gospel explores the Fourth Gospel with a focus on ways in which attention to the structure of Christology in John allows for greater understanding of Johannine themes and helps resolve long-standing interpretive impasses. Following an introductory examination of Rudolf Bultmann's profound influence on Johannine studies, Loader turns to the central interpretive issues and debates surrounding Johannine Christology, probing particularly the death of Jesus in John, the salvation event in John, and the Fourth Gospel in light of its Christology. The exhaustive bibliography and careful, well-articulated conclusions take into account the latest research on John, ensuring that this volume will be useful to scholars and students alike.
The conflict between Christianity and Roman Imperial theology manifested at very early stages in Christian history. Richard Cassidy argues that ignoring or downplaying such political-theological implications because of some supposedly manifest separation between spiritual belief and politics is both shortsighted and unbiblical. In this fascinating and original reading of the Gospel of John, it becomes clear that Christology is not merely theological theorizing, but a matter of immense political import.
The application of theological and literary approaches to the study of the New Testament in recent years has enabled a seismic shift in our understanding of the identity of Jesus as the New Testament presents him. In terms of the Gospel of John, these theological and literary explorations have resulted in a richer understanding of what it means to identify Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, the one who bears unique witness to the God of Israel, and the one whose life fulfills and embodies numerous symbols that were significant within biblical texts and the traditions of Second Temple Judaism. This volume gathers many of today's most significant interpreters of the Bible as they examine John's Gospel and its distinctive theology, in relation to the wider canon of Scripture. Pastors, theologians, and biblical scholars will find studies of individual texts as well as broader biblical themes. Readers will come to appreciate anew the emphases that make John stand out among the New Testament writings. Readers will also develop a richer understanding of the deep theological connections that unite John with the Old Testament's vision of God and other New Testament portrayals of Jesus and his enduring significance.
ÒChristology should be reflections on the experience of the believer. Unless the believer has experienced something in the depth of her being, she has nothing to think aboutÓ (1). How true! And how good it is to have clear insights into the Christology of two early believers, Paul and John. Parish based preachers, compelled to preach on texts from the Gospel of John and the Letters of Paul, are helped by Scroggs in their study for and preparation of sermons. Scroggs' commentary provides the opportunity first of all to grasp and understand the Christ as Paul proclaimed him in his writings. The second part of the book details the Christology of John. While the two respective Christologies are different and not dependent upon one another, put together they do give us rich insight into the question of who Jesus is and what he means for faith. In the comparison it becomes clear that Paul used legal metaphors to describe the new world made possible through the cross, while John saw Jesus as the revelation of divine reality coming from the realm of God the Father into this world of darkness. Following the discussion of the differences between Paul and John - like Òwrestling with two angelsÓ (105) - the author seeks to clarify some essential and underlying similarities in the Christologies of Paul and John. This relationship is discussed under three headings: Creation, The Vision of the Fallen World, and Jesus Christ as Revealer. The last three pages of the book comprise an important word to theological discussions within the church. They point out the importance of theology being Christocentric. ÒThe Christian, just as Paul and John, has experienced God through Jesus Christ, and thus cannot speak about God without speaking about Jesus ChristÓ (111).'Christology in Paul and John' should be in every working pastor's library.
Taking seriously the Gospel as a unified narrative and the Gospel's late first-century Jewish setting, John Dennis investigates the Fourth Gospel's appropriation of Jewish restoration theology. Employing John 11.47-52 as the starting point, the author argues that one of the primary functions of restoration theology in John is to interpret Jesus' death in the light of Jewish restoration expectations. A new angle on Jesus' death in the Fourth Gospel emerges from this study: Jesus' death effects the restoration of Israel, the restoration that was engendered by the Prophets and expected by many Jews of the Second Temple period. In the course of the study it is also argued that John was primarily concerned with Israel's restoration and not with a mission to the Gentiles. In this light, a fresh interpretation of the children of God (11.52) is offered.
The essays in Reading the Gospel of John’s Christology as Jewish Messianism: Royal, Prophetic, and Divine Messiahs seek to interpret John’s Jesus as part of Second Temple Jewish messianic expectations. The Fourth Gospel is rarely considered part of the world of early Judaism. While many have noted John’s Jewishness, most have not understood John’s Messiah as a Jewish messiah. The Johannine Jesus, who descends from heaven, is declared the Word made flesh, and claims oneness with the Father, is no less Jewish than other messiahs depicted in early Judaism. John’s Jesus is at home on the spectrum of early Judaism’s royal, prophetic, and divine messiahs
