In John 14, Jesus refers three times to his “coming” to his disciples or believers more generally, each time employing a form of the verb ἔρχομαι (John 14:3, 18, 23). Each of these references has generated debate within the secondary literature, which is only compounded when one considers how these references relate to one another. … Read more
Co-authored by Stanley E. Porter and Alan E. Kurschner Traditional strategies for interpreting the Book of Revelation have broadly included historical and social-scientific criticism, literary criticism, and theological and ethical approaches. In recent years, however, the Book of Revelation has begun to attract modern linguistic analysis because of the recognition of the book’s foundational textual … Read more
Traditional strategies for interpreting the Book of Revelation have broadly included historical and social-scientific criticism, literary criticism, and theological and ethical approaches. In recent years, however, the Book of Revelation has begun to attract modern linguistic analysis because of the recognition of the book’s foundational textual nature and the relevance of linguistics for interdisciplinary scholars. … Read more
Bultmann famously argued that John denigrates seeing in favour of the “hearing/believing” that is achievable by believers in the era of Jesus’ tangible absence. However, in light of recent scholarship contending that God himself is visible in/as Jesus’ body (Irwin) and that the Gospel is particular attuned to the senses (Hangar), the absence of Jesus … Read more
A key pillar of New Testament empire studies is the inseparability of religion and politics in the Roman Empire. Yet, most scholars within this sub-discipline fail to integrate John’s theological claims with the gospel’s capacity to subvert Roman political rule. Instead, the traditional presumptions of a “high Christology” are thought to blind the reader from … Read more
The Fourth Gospel (FG) opens with the expression Ἐν ἀρχῇ which coheres exactly with the LXX of Genesis 1:1. The explicit lexical and thematic correspondence between the FG and Genesis has long been noted by scholars like C.K. Barret, D.A. Carson, Craig Keener, Andreas Köstenberger, Brandon Crowe, and Edward Klink III among others. I believe … Read more
In John 9, Jesus encountered the only congenital blind man in Scripture and performed an unusual act. Extending past his customary healing method through spoken word alone, Jesus created the man’s ability to see using secondary natural causes saliva, dirt, and physical touch. The miracle, or “sign” in Johannine register, distinguishes itself in the use … Read more