John's Gospel and Intimations of Apocalyptic - by Catrin H Williams & Christopher Rowland (Paperback)

About the Book

This is the first extended discussion of the relationship between John's Gospel and Jewish apocalyptic thought. It is conducted by leaders in the field.

Book Synopsis

John's Gospel has traditionally been regarded as the least apocalyptic document in the New Testament. This exciting new collection redresses the balance by exploring the ways in which the apocalyptic literature of Second Temple Judaism has contributed to the theology and outlook of John's Gospel.
Given that John, like the Jewish apocalyptic texts, is primarily concerned with the theme of revelation, the contributors examine how apocalyptic ideas can help to explain the Johannine portrayal of Jesus as the messenger sent from heaven to reveal the divine mysteries, as well as the Gospel's presentation of the activity of the Spirit, its understanding of evil, and the intended effects of this 'apocalypse in reverse' on its readers and hearers. The highly distinguished contributors include, John Ashton, Christopher Rowland, April DeConick, Judith Lieu and Jorg Frey.

Review Quotes

A worthy tribute to the eminent Johannine scholar, John Ashton.
The Heythrop Journal

The Fourth Gospel has a way of stopping readers in their tracks, making us question what we thought we knew, turning upside down what we took for granted. That happens to characters in its story, also-and thus, in an odd way, we find ourselves drawn into that story. Two decades ago, John Ashton did something rather similar to scholarship about the Fourth Gospel. In this book he and a goodly company of colleagues have done it again.

These essays help redefine the categories with which we approach apocalyptic writings and John's Gospel. Instead of limiting the comparison to eschatology, they propose new ways to consider what each type of literature helps us see in the other. The result is not a new consensus, but a promising series of leads, which invite discussion around questions of how the hidden purposes of God are revealed.
Theology

About the Author

Catrin H. Williams is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at the University of Wales Trinity St David, UK.

Christopher Rowland is Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at Queen's College, University of Oxford, UK.