Gospel of John and Christian Theology

by Richard Bauckham (Editor), Carl Mosser (Editor)

Overview

In recent years, the disciplines of biblical studies and systematic theology have grown apart and largely lost the means of effective communication with one another. Unfortunately, this relational disconnect affects more than just these particular fields of study; it impacts the life of the church as a whole. The first St. Andrews Conference on Scripture and Theology brought leading biblical scholars and systematic theologians together in conversation, seeking to bridge the gap between them.

Due to its profound influence on the development of Christian theology, John's Gospel is an ideal base for rekindling fruitful dialogue. The essays here -- taken from the inaugural conference -- consider this Gospel from many angles, addressing a number of key issues that arise from a theological discussion of this text: John's dualism in our pluralist context, historicity and testimony, the treatment of Judaism, Christology, and more.

-This is the beginning of a conversation that can only be enriched by variety and experimentation. . . . It is a signpost . . . pointing towards a not-too-distant future when interdisciplinary conversation and collaboration between these two natural partners will become, no longer occasional and surprising, but a normal and essential element in the flourishing of both.-
-- Richard Bauckham (from the introduction)

Contributors:

Paul N. Anderson
Stephen C. Barton
Richard Bauckham
D. Jeffrey Bingham
C. Stephen Evans
Terry Griffith
Martin Hengel
Kasper Bro Larsen
Tord Larsson
Judith Lieu
Andrew T. Lincoln
Jurgen Moltmann
Carl Mosser
Stephen Motyer
Murray Rae
Anastasia Scrutton
Marianne Meye Thompson
Sigve K. Tonstad
Alan J. Torrance
Miroslav Volf
Rowan Williams

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802827173
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/01/2008
Pages:	430
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Richard Bauckham is professor emeritus at the University of St. Andrews and senior scholar at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He is a fellow of the British Academy and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Carl Mosser is assistant professor of biblical studies atEastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Contributors     viii
Introduction   Richard Bauckham     x
John and Our Pluralist Context
Johannine Dualism and Contemporary Pluralism   Stephen C. Barton     3
Johannine Dualism and Contemporary Pluralism   Miroslav Volf     19
Those Who Have Read John Before Us
Christianizing Divine Aseity: Irenaeus Reads John   D. Jeffrey Bingham     53
Anglican Approaches to St. John's Gospel   Rowan Williams     68
Glory or Persecution: The God of the Gospel of John in the History of Interpretation   Tord Larsson     82
History and Testimony in John
The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel: From What Perspective Should It Be Assessed?   C. Stephen Evans     91
The Fourth Gospel as the Testimony of the Beloved Disciple   Richard Bauckham     120
John and "The Jews"
Bridging the Gap: How Might the Fourth Gospel Help Us Cope with the Legacy of Christianity's Exclusive Claim over Against Judaism?   Stephen Motyer     143
Anti-Judaism, the Jews, and the Worlds of the Fourth Gospel   Judith Lieu     168
"The Jews Who Had Believed in Him" (John 8:31) and the Motif of Apostasy in the Gospel of John   Terry Griffith     183
"The Father of Lies," "the Mother of Lies," and the Death of Jesus (John12:20-33)   Sigve K. Tonstad     193
Perspectives on the Raising of Lazarus
The Lazarus Story: A Literary Perspective   Andrew T. Lincoln     211
The Raising of Lazarus in John 11: A Theological Reading   Marianne Meye Thompson     233
The Lazarus Narrative, Theological History, and Historical Probability   Alan J. Torrance     245
Christology
The Prologue of the Gospel of John as the Gateway to Christological Truth   Martin Hengel     265
The Testimony of Works in the Christology of John's Gospel   Murray Rae     295
On Guessing Points and Naming Stars: Epistemological Origins of John's Christological Tensions   Paul N. Anderson     311
Narrative Docetism: Christology and Storytelling in the Gospel of John   Kasper Bro Larsen     346
Using John in the Theological Task Today
"The Truth Will Set You Free": Salvation as Revelation   Anastasia Scrutton     359
God in the World-the World in God: Perichoresis in Trinity and Eschatology   Jurgen Moltmann     369
Index of Ancient Persons     382
Index of Modern Authors     384
Index of Place Names     390
Index of Scriptures and Other Ancient Writings     391

Editorial Reviews

Modern Theology
"Jürgen Moltmann, in the final essay of this collection edited by Richard Bauckham and Carl Mosser, offers a fascinating autobiographical insight. . . most of [the other essays] justify the wisdom of taking John as a contemporary theological guide. It is an exciting prospect: a well-grounded renewal of confidence in the Fourth Gospel supported by biblical scholars and theologians who engage with the text, with each other and with the contemporary world."

From the Publisher