Here is a sustained literary-critical reading of John's Gospel in terms of mystical theology. Arguing that John "is guiding, perhaps at times impelling, the reader along a path that leads from conversion through Christian initiation to mystical enlightenment and union," Professor Countryman suggests that this concern controls the Gospel's literary structure and unity. He demonstrates this argument through a fresh and readable translation of the Fourth Gospel, offering a new way of reading John that has direct relevance to Christian life today.The chapters in the book follow the progress of the would-be mystic from initial conversion through baptism and Eucharist to mystical enlightenment. In addition to this mystical program, and integrated with the narrative of the Gospel, is a theological interpretation of Jesus which explains why he is centrally important for the mystic."An appealing and attractive interpretation that deserves close attention." —Adris NewsletterL.William Countryman is Professor of New Testament at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the author of many books, including Good News of Jesus, The Language of Ordination, and Biblical Authority or Biblical Tyranny — all published by Trinity Press International.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
L. William Countryman is Sherman E. Johnson Professor in Biblical Studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. He is a popular speaker, and the author of many books including Gifted by Otherness, Living on the Border of the Holy, Forgiven and Forgiving, and Love Human and Divine, all available from Morehouse Publishing.
Review:
"Countryman's book is an important contribution to both Johannine Gospel studies and hermeneutics... This is an excellent book because it is not only scholastically informing but it is also concerned about spiritual transformation. This book could easily be adapted for use in the ministry context...an excellent text for a small group Bible Study." — Kenneth J. Archer, reviewing for Ashland Theological Journal (Ashland Theological Journal)
"Countryman has given us a volume at once both technical and devotional... (He) is to be commended for his insight and courage... what we have here is highly significant to the discipline and is likely to prompt the confident further exploration of this worthy theme." — Donald N. Bowdle, reviewing for Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 1997 (Donald N. Bowdle Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society)
"Countryman has given us a volume at once both technical and devotional... (He) is to be commended for his insight and courage... what we have here is highly significant to the discipline and is likely to prompt the confident further exploration of this worthy theme." — Donald N. Bowdle, reviewing for Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 1997 (Sanford Lakoff Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherTrinity Press International
- Publication date1995
- ISBN 10 1563381036
- ISBN 13 9781563381034
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages164
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Rating