Word Of Life

John’s gospel is one of the richest and most provocative theological writings in the New Testament. While its language is often simple, its thought is engaging and complex, opening readers to the world of God through the story of Jesus. Craig Koester here sketches the shape of John’s gospel and illustrates how debates about its meaning have profoundly shaped Christian life and thought. The Word of Life explores the questions that have been important for generations, including John’s understanding of God, the character of the world and its people, the elusive activity of the Spirit, and what it means to believe. Expressions like being “born again” and the idea that Jesus is “the way” can evoke both interest and uneasiness. Special sections are devoted to these and other disputed aspects of John’s theological language. Through these, readers can see how the gospel’s own context can shape a more vital and nuanced understanding of what such expressions mean. Koester interacts with the best of current research and makes creative proposals about ways in which to understand the many aspects of John’s theology. Clear and highly readable, this guide to the theology of John’s gospel will appeal to a wide range of readers.