THE WORD OF LIFE

A Theology of John’s Gospel

Craig R. Koester

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K.

© 2008 Craig R. Koester

All rights reserved

Published 2008 by

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505 / P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.

www.eerdmans.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Koester, Craig R., 1953–

The word of life: a theology of John’s Gospel / Craig R. Koester.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

ISBN 978-0-8028-2938-2 (pbk.: alk. paper)

1. Bible. N.T. John—Criticism, interpretation, etc.

2. Bible. N.T. John—Theology. I. Title.

BS2615.52.K64 2008

226.5′06—dc22

2008022118

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible are copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all other biblical citations have been translated by the author.

For Nancy

Contents

preface

abbreviations

1. Introduction

The Theological Shape of the Gospel

A History of Theological Questions from the Early Church to the Present

Venturing Forward

2. God

God and the Word

Creator and Giver of Life

The Sender

God of the Cross and Resurrection

The Father

3. The World and Its People

Created for Life

The Problem of Death

The Problem of Sin

The Problem of Evil

The World

4. Jesus

Human Being and Teacher

Prophet and Messiah

Son of God

5. Crucifixion and Resurrection

The Significance of Jesus’ Crucifixion

The Significance of Jesus’ Resurrection

6. The Spirit

The Spirit Makes Jesus Known

Source of Faith and Life

The Advocate’s Abiding Presence

Teacher and Witness

7. Faith, Present and Future

Faith and the Present

Present Faith and Future Hope

8. Discipleship in Community and World

Discipleship

Christian Community

Jesus as the Way in a Pluralistic World

bibliography of works cited

index

Preface

The author of John’s Gospel is traditionally dubbed “the Theologian” because of the way he leads readers into questions pertaining to God. Those who read the Gospel find a well-crafted narrative, which can be appreciated as a piece of literature or as a testimony to the beliefs of an ancient Christian community. But to read the Gospel theologically is to ask, Who is the God about whom Jesus speaks? Who does the Gospel say that Jesus is? And how does the Gospel understand life, death, sin, and faith? Such issues come up repeatedly in the narrative, with each occurrence disclosing different dimensions of these themes. Therefore, thinking through major theological questions means drawing on the Gospel as a whole. This is what this book, The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel, attempts to do. A few comments about the project may be helpful for the readers.

There are many ways to explore the theology of John’s Gospel. The approach taken here is to work with the Gospel narrative in its present form. Many of the chapters ...

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About The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel

This accessible work explores the major theological dimensions of John’s Gospel, including God, the world and its people, Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, the Spirit, faith, and discipleship. Craig Koester’s Word of Life is notable for its comprehensive treatment of themes and its close, careful focus on the narrative of the biblical text.

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