Who can find a finer resource on the writings of John?
Johannine Theology: the Gospel, the Epistles and the
Apocalypse
Author: Paul A. Rainbow
Publisher: IVP Academic (www.ivpbooks.com)
Pages: 496
I hope that I am not the only one who can look forward to
reading a nearly 500 page book on theology. Why would anyone enjoy such an
undertaking? Well, for one, you don’t find this level of scholarship and
exposition in the average pulpit and in best-selling titles.
It’s what I treasure most in Johannine Theology by Paul A. Rainbow. For example, his thoughts on
John 6 alone, where Jesus spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood,
make reading the book worthwhile. I recall a Catholic friend telling me that a
priest had done a study on this section, which might help me to better
understand the passage. Though I declined the opportunity to hear the message,
I doubt these words refer to receiving communion.
Rainbow provides an excellent overview of this section of
Scripture, which I believe gets at the real meaning. In summary, he states, “To
eat Jesus’ flesh and drink his blood, then, is to believe in him, specifically
as the divine sent one who will give his flesh and blood for the life of the
world” (218). As indicated by the context, to eat Christ’s flesh and drink his
blood is synonymous with having faith in Him.
What causes my heart to rejoice is not in finding an
interpretation that reinforces my own belief, but in discovering exposition that
gets at the heart of what Jesus meant. Readers consistently get sound exegesis
like this throughout the book. I can’t imagine a finer volume that is equally
as comprehensive and readable.
Perhaps the biggest possible stumbling block is Rainbow’s
assumption that the apostle John is the author of the gospel and the three
epistles that bear his name, and Revelation, or the Apocalypse as Rainbow
prefers to call it. Some scholars do not accept this premise of John being the
sole author of each of these works. In defense of the author, he provides an
overview of the debate and analysis.
Regardless, Rainbow remarkably demonstrates the
interconnectedness that he finds between each of these works. Even if one does
not accept his premise, there is much that one can learn from his doctrinal
analysis and summaries.
Fittingly, for one reviewing the writings of the apostle
who includes love as one of his themes, Rainbow organizes his analysis in terms
of relationships. He writes in the Introduction (chap. 1), “Accordingly, the
following chapters will explore Johannine thought by concentrating on God the
Father (chap. 2), the world-system (chap. 3), God’s self-revelation in the Son
(chaps. 4-5), the Spirit-Paraclete (6), the believer united to the risen Christ
(chaps. 7-8), and believers in relation to one another (chap. 9) and to the
world (chap. 10)” (32). There is much
here about God and the interrelatedness of the members in the Trinity for those
wanting to know more about God’s character.
Indexes of principal scripture passages, authors and
subjects are included in the back of the book, which makes this a useful
reference. It’s a phenomenal read but serves best as a resource.
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