Andreas J. Kostenberger - A Theology of Johns Gospel and Letters: The Word, the Christ, the Son of God

A NDREAS J . K STENBERGER

ZONDERVAN

A Theology of Johns Gospel and Letters

Copyright 2009 by Andreas J. Kstenberger

ePub edition March 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-52326-0

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kstenberger, Andreas J., 1957

A theology of Johns Gospel and letters : the Word, the Christ, the Son of God / Andreas J. Kstenberger.

p. cm.(Biblical theology of the New Testament)

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 978-0-310-26986-1 (hardcover, printed)

1. Bible. N.T. JohnTheology. 2. Bible. N.T. Epistles of JohnTheology. I. Title.

BS2601.K67 2009

226.5'065 dc22

2009028347

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To the Word-Made-Flesh

And since they all [i.e. all four canonical Gospels]

had the same object, to show Christ,

the first three exhibit His body,

if I may be permitted to put it like that,

but John shows His soul.

John Calvin, 1553

The Biblical Theology of the New Testament series consists of eight distinct volumes covering the entire New Testament. Each volume is devoted to an in-depth exploration of a given New Testament writing, or group of writings, within the context of the theology of the New Testament, and ultimately of the entire Bible. While each corpus requires an approach that is suitable for the writing(s) studied, all volumes include:

(1) a survey of recent scholarship and of the state of research

(2) a treatment of the relevant introductory issues

(3) a thematic commentary following the narrative flow of the document(s)

(4) a treatment of important individual themes

(5) discussions of the relationship between a particular writing and the rest of the New Testament and the Bible

While Biblical Theology is a relatively new academic discipline and one that has often been hindered by questionable presuppositions, doubtful methodology, and/or flawed execution, the field is one of the most promising avenues of biblical and theological research today. In essence, Biblical Theology engages in the study of the biblical texts while giving careful consideration to the historical setting in which a given piece of writing originated. It seeks to locate and relate the contributions of the respective biblical documents along the lines of the continuum of Gods salvation-historical program centered in the coming and salvific work of Christ. It also endeavors to ground the theological exploration of a given document in a close reading of the respective text(s), whether narrative, discourse, or some other type of literature.

By providing in-depth studies of the diverse, yet complementary perspectives of the New Testament writings, the Biblical Theology of the New Testament series aims to make a significant contribution to the study of the major interrelated themes of Scripture in a holistic, context-sensitive, and spiritually nurturing manner. Each volume is written by a scholar who has written a major commentary or monograph on the corpus covered. The generous page allotment allows for an in-depth investigation. While coming from diverse academic backgrounds and institutional affiliations, the contributors share a commitment to an evangelical faith and a respect for the authority of Scripture. They also have in common a conviction that the canon of Scripture is ultimately unified, not contradictory.

In addition to contributing to the study of individual New Testament writings and to the study of the New Testament and ultimately of Scripture as a whole, the series also seeks to make a methodological contribution, showing how Biblical Theology ought to be conducted. In each case, the way in which the volume is conceived reflects careful consideration of the nature of a given piece or body of writings. The complex interrelationships between the three so-called Synoptic Gospels; the two-volume nature of LukeActs; the relationship between Johns gospel, letters, and the book of Revelation; the thirteen letters making up the Pauline corpus; and the theologies of Peter, James, and Jude, as well as Hebrews, each present unique challenges and opportunities.

In the end, it is hoped that the volumes will pay tribute to the multifaceted nature of divine revelation contained in Scripture. As G. B. Caird put it:

The question we must ask is not whether these books all say the same thing, but whether they all bear witness to the same Jesus and through him to the many splendoured wisdom of the one God.... We shall neither attempt to press all our witnesses into a single mould nor captiously complain that one seems at some points deficient in comparison with another. What we shall do is rejoice that God has seen fit to establish His gospel at the mouth of so many independent witnesses. The music of the New Testament choir is not written to be sung in unison.