Imperfect Believers: Ambiguous Characters in the Gospel of John

by Susan E. Hylen

Overview

This book is a solid study of characters in the Gospel of John—Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the disciples, the Jews, Martha and Mary, Peter and the Beloved Disciple, and Jesus. Susan Hylen argues that John's characters are not simply one-dimensional depictions of belief and unbelief, but are in fact far more complex and ambiguous.

This ambiguity has an important literary function: it invites the reader to understand biblical characters within the context of the inherent logic of the Gospel. The Gospel establishes ideals like believing and abiding in Jesus. The reader is left to decide to what extent a character's actions and speech reflect these aims. Individual character portraits explore what readers may learn from studying John's complex characters.

This is an excellent secondary source for seminary classes on the fourth Gospel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664233723
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	10/30/2009
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Susan E. Hylen is Associate Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 Introduction 1

Part 1

2 Nicodemus 23

3 The Samaritan Woman 41

4 The Disciples 59

5 Martha and Mary 77

6 The Beloved Disciple 92

Part 2

7 The Jews 113

8 Jesus 135

9 Conclusion 153

Notes 163

Index of Ancient Sources 195

Index of Subjects 201