Read complete books and articles on: Gospel of John

John, Gospel According to Saint - fourth book of the New Testament. This account of Jesus' life is clearly set off from the other three Gospels (see Synoptic Gospels), although it is probable that John knew and used both Mark and Luke as sources. The Gospel opens with a prologue in which Jesus is identified with the Word (see Logos). This term echoes usages of the Old Testament ("Word of God"), contemporary Jewish Wisdom speculation, and contemporary Hellenistic philosophy, and designates a figure that mediates between God and the cosmos. Hence "the Word was made flesh" is the classic formulation of the Incarnation. The Gospel is also concerned with the dualism of darkness and light, a theme found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Gospel falls into two main sections. The first narrates a series of selected events from Christ's ministry. Lengthy monologues, often polemical in tone, reveal his claim to divine status, underscored by his performance of "signs." In chapter 9, for example, he heals a blind man, who is then expelled from the synagogue for declaring Jesus a prophet. This has been interpreted as reflecting a dispute between Christians of 1st-century Palestine and Jews who denied Jesus' significance. Hence the Gospel's presentation of Jesus, who repudiates all religious tradition not founded on him and asserts that no one can have access to God the Father except through him. The second section of the Gospel consists of a long account of the Last Supper, followed by the Passion and the Resurrection. The traditional date of composition is c.a.d. 100; according to 20th-century scholarship it was composed probably between a.d. 95 and 115. Writers of the late 2d cent. ascribed the work to John, son of Zebedee, who according to tradition lived in Ephesus. However, it is unlikely that this John was the author. Most modern scholars agree that a brief passage in chapters 7 and 8 was not part of the Gospel as originally composed; otherwise the book is usually considered to have been written almost exactly as it stands. The influence of the Gospel of St. John in Christianity has been great. It is an early and articulated statement of Christ's unique position in Christian theology as God and man—a doctrine central to the dogmas of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Atonement.

See studies by R. E. Brown (2 vol., 1966–70); J. L. Martyn (rev. ed. 1979); D. Moody-Smith (1984); J. Ashton, ed. (1986); R. Kysar (1986); R. Price, Three Gospels (1996).

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16 of the Best Books and Articles on: Gospel of John

as selected by Questia librarians

1.

Studying John: Approaches to the Fourth Gospel » Read Now
by John Garrigues Ashton. 227 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

Is historical criticism of the New Testament dead? In this telling collection of eight new studies on John's Gospel, the author of the acclaimed Understanding the Fourth Gospel argues that this is very far from the case. Challenging the assumptions of methodologies that ignore the historical context...
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Is historical criticism of the New Testament dead? In this telling collection of eight new studies on John's Gospel, the author of the acclaimed Understanding the Fourth Gospel argues that this is very far from the case. Challenging the assumptions of methodologies that ignore the historical context in which the Gospel was composed, Ashton offers a spirited defense of historical criticism and provides practical demonstrations of the many new insights that it can still yield. The first two chapters treat in greater depth two key themes (the Prologue of John and the Jews) which appeared in the author's earlier work. A third chapter supplements and corrects this larger work. The rest of the book explores further facets of the Gospel, and at the same time exposes some of the serious theoretical weaknesses in much recent writing on the Gospel.
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2.

The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel » Read Now
by C. H. Dodd. 480 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...opening of this gospel with that of Mark. In Mark...of prophecy, John the Baptist is...of the Fourth Gospel and the First Epistle of John. I give a list...H. XIII Fourth...
3.

The Gospel According to St. John: An Introduction with Commentary and Notes on the Greek Text » Read Now
by C. K. Barrett. 638 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...Erganzungshefte , 1950, 1957. E.T., The Gospel of John , 1971. Fenton The Gospel...Charlesworth, 1972. Judaism The Gospel of John and Judaism , by C. K...
4.

1, 2, 3 John: A Handbook on the Greek Text » Read Now
by Martin M. Culy. 175 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

Martin M. Culy is Associate Professor of New Testament at Briercrest Biblical Seminary, Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada.
5.

The Johannine Epistles » Read Now
by C. H. Dodd. 170 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library
6.

According to Saint John » Read Now
by Lord Charnwood. 323 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...James and St. John -- Conclusions as to the place of this Gospel and of St. Johns...information that this Gospel was the work of St. John comes from...
7.

The Gospel of John in the Sixteenth Century: The Johannine Exegesis of Wolfgang Musculus » Read Now
by Craig S. Farmer. 254 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

This study of Johannine exegesis in the sixteenth century covers nearly every important commentator on John from the first half of the century, and examines the medieval and patristic traditions on which they drew. But while comprehensive in its scope, this book centers on the John commentary of...
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This study of Johannine exegesis in the sixteenth century covers nearly every important commentator on John from the first half of the century, and examines the medieval and patristic traditions on which they drew. But while comprehensive in its scope, this book centers on the John commentary of Wolfgang Musculus (1497- 1563), an influential leader of the Protestant Reformation in the cities of Augsburg and Bern. As a theologian and biblical scholar, he authored a large number of theological and exegetical works which remained popular well into the seventeenth century. Despite his influence, however, Musculus has been virtually ignored by modern scholarship on the Reformation.
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8.

Tractates on the Gospel of John, Vol. 2 » Read Now
by St. Augustine. 306 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and...
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In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Augustine clarifies the meanings of words and phrases (often appealing to the Greek text), resolves obscurities, and reconciles apparent contradictions. He explains the Scriptures on several levels of meaning and draws from them practical implications for the Christian life. Always evident in his teaching and exhortation is his strong desire to lead souls to a knowledge and love of God. Because the scriptural readings for Holy Week and the Octave of Easter were fixed to some extent, during the Easter Octave in A.D. 407 Augustine had to interrupt his exposition of John's Gospel after delivering the twelfth tractate. In order to maintain some continuity, he decided to preach upon the First Epistle of John. Its central theme, which Augustine saw to be caritas (Christian love), was especially appropriate at this time, for the Donatist schism had torn many away from the Church at Hippo. In the ten tractates on the First Epistle of John, Augustine develops an outline of his theology on love and explains its implications for the Mystical Body of Christ. He teaches that those who hate the members of Christ cannot truly love Christ - even if they profess otherwise, even if they were to lay down their lives for Him. In these tractates Augustine once again reveals himself as the humble and zealous pastor of souls. His words seem to radiate the very love about which he speaks, so that few ofhis listeners could accuse him of preaching what he himself did not practice.
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9.

Tractates on the Gospel of John, Vol. 3 » Read Now
by St. Augustine. 322 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and...
Read More

In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Augustine clarifies the meanings of words and phrases (often appealing to the Greek text), resolves obscurities, and reconciles apparent contradictions. He explains the Scriptures on several levels of meaning and draws from them practical implications for the Christian life. Always evident in his teaching and exhortation is his strong desire to lead souls to a knowledge and love of God. Because the scriptural readings for Holy Week and the Octave of Easter were fixed to some extent, during the Easter Octave in A.D. 407 Augustine had to interrupt his exposition of John's Gospel after delivering the twelfth tractate. In order to maintain some continuity, he decided to preach upon the First Epistle of John. Its central theme, which Augustine saw to be caritas (Christian love), was especially appropriate at this time, for the Donatist schism had torn many away from the Church at Hippo. In the ten tractates on the First Epistle of John, Augustine develops an outline of his theology on love and explains its implications for the Mystical Body of Christ. He teaches that those who hate the members of Christ cannot truly love Christ - even if they profess otherwise, even if they were to lay down their lives for Him. In these tractates Augustine once again reveals himself as the humble and zealous pastor of souls. His words seem to radiate the very love about which he speaks, so that few ofhis listeners could accuse him of preaching what he himself did not practice.
Show less
10.

Tractates on the Gospel of John, Vol. 5 » Read Now
by St. Augustine. 306 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and...
Read More

In this volume, which concludes John W. Rettig's translation of St. Augustine's Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine applies his keen insight and powers of rhetoric to the sacred text, drawing the audience into an intimate contemplation of Jesus through the course of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Augustine clarifies the meanings of words and phrases (often appealing to the Greek text), resolves obscurities, and reconciles apparent contradictions. He explains the Scriptures on several levels of meaning and draws from them practical implications for the Christian life. Always evident in his teaching and exhortation is his strong desire to lead souls to a knowledge and love of God. Because the scriptural readings for Holy Week and the Octave of Easter were fixed to some extent, during the Easter Octave in A.D. 407 Augustine had to interrupt his exposition of John's Gospel after delivering the twelfth tractate. In order to maintain some continuity, he decided to preach upon the First Epistle of John. Its central theme, which Augustine saw to be caritas (Christian love), was especially appropriate at this time, for the Donatist schism had torn many away from the Church at Hippo. In the ten tractates on the First Epistle of John, Augustine develops an outline of his theology on love and explains its implications for the Mystical Body of Christ. He teaches that those who hate the members of Christ cannot truly love Christ - even if they profess otherwise, even if they were to lay down their lives for Him. In these tractates Augustine once again reveals himself as the humble and zealous pastor of souls. His words seem to radiate the very love about which he speaks, so that few ofhis listeners could accuse him of preaching what he himself did not practice.
Show less
11.

The New Testament, an Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History (Chap. Eleven "The Gospel and Letters of John: The Literature of the Johannine School") » Read Now
by Norman Perrin, Dennis C. Duling, Robert Ferm. 520 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...Letters 330 The Gospel of John and Its Special Sources 335...Thought World and Major Ideas of the Gospel of John 341 Displacements...Exegetical Survey of the Gospel of...
12.

The Apocryphal New Testament: A Collection of Apocryphal Christian Literature in an English Translation ("The Acts of John" begins on p. 303) » Read Now
by J. K. Elliott. 752 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Literature, Entire Library

This collection of apocryphal texts supersedes the best-selling edition by M.R. James, which was originally published in 1924, but regularly reprinted. Several new texts have come to light since 1924 and the textual base for some of the apocrypha previously translated by James is now more secure, as...
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This collection of apocryphal texts supersedes the best-selling edition by M.R. James, which was originally published in 1924, but regularly reprinted. Several new texts have come to light since 1924 and the textual base for some of the apocrypha previously translated by James is now more secure, as in several cases there are now recently published critical editions available. Although a modest addition to James's edition was made in 1953 no thorough revision has previously been undertaken. In this volume, J.K. Elliott presents new translations of the texts and has provided each of them with a short introduction and bibliography directed to those who wish to pursue further the issues raised in the texts or to consult the critical editions, other translations, or general studies. The translations are in modern English, in contrast to James's deliberate imitation of the language of the Authorized Version. The collection is designed to give readers the most important or famous of the Christian apocrypha and a small sample of gnostic texts. Full translations of the earliest texts are printed, as well as some derivative apocrypha.
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13.

The Revelation of John: A Historical Interpretation » Read Now
by Shirley Jackson Case. 419 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...THE REVELATION OF JOHN A HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION THE UNIVERSITY...BOOK COMPANY SHANGHAI THE REVELATION OF JOHN A HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION By...maintained throughout the...
14.

St. John's Gospel: A Commentary » Read Now
by R. H. Lightfoot, C. F. Evans. 368 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...Unpublished Fragment of the Fourth Gospel in the John Rylands Library...achieved in the Gospel and Epistles attributed to John. But how much of this long road...suggest the...
15.

Commentary on the Gospel According to John » Read Now
by Ronald E. Heine. 425 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...2 Commentary on the Gospel according to John. The Fathers of the church ; v. 80, 89...i- gens Commentary on the Gospel of John." JTS n.s. 44. 1993...among the presentations...
16.

The Gospel According to John: A Literary and Theological Commentary » Read Now
by Thomas L. Brodie. 640 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Literature, Entire Library

This commentary expands Johannine studies in two directions. First, drawing on the methods of literary criticism, it gives new force to a view which is both ancient and modern--that John's gospel, far from being a poorly-edited mixture of sometimes-conflicting traditions, is in fact a coherent...
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This commentary expands Johannine studies in two directions. First, drawing on the methods of literary criticism, it gives new force to a view which is both ancient and modern--that John's gospel, far from being a poorly-edited mixture of sometimes-conflicting traditions, is in fact a coherent unity, an account of Jesus which, however diverse its sources, is a finely-chiselled work of art. Second, it indicates that the unity of John's gospel is founded ultimately not on history or theology but on spirituality. This too corresponds to a view which is both very old--John was always known as the spiritual gospel--and very recent. The present study spells out that idea in new detail. It indicates that the account of Jesus is so written that the tensions and complexities of the text reflect the tensions and complexities of human life, providing the reader not only with an account of Jesus but also with an anthropology--a map of the development of the human spirit.
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