Symbolism in the fourth Gospel : meaning, mystery, community / Craig R. Koester.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Koester, Craig R., 1953-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. John--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Bible. John.

Symbolism in the Bible.

Physical Description:

xix, 347 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Minneapolis : Fortress Press, [2003]

Summary:

Craig Koester's respected study uses the symbolic language of the Gospel of John as a focus to explore "the Gospel's literary dimensions, social and historical context, and theological import." This edition is fully revised and updated and includes a number of new sections on such topics as Judas and the knowledge of God. Fresh treatments are given on a number of issues, including the Gospel's Christology. This new edition offers both new insights and proven worth for students and scholars alike.

Contents:

1. Symbol, Meaning, and Mystery 1

Johannine Symbolism in Its Literary Context 3

Defining Johannine Symbolism 4

Recognizing Johannine Symbols 8

The Structure of Johannine Symbolism 12

Johannine Symbolism in Its Cultural Context 15

The Dynamics of Johannine Symbolism 16

The Spectrum of Johannine Readers 18

Interpreting Johannine Symbolism 24

Multiple Meanings

Valid and Invalid 25

Meaning and Mystery 28

2. Representative Figures 33

Character Portrayal in John's Gospel 34

Character Portrayal in Antiquity 36

Jesus 39

Human

Messiah

Son of God 39

Particular and Universal 42

Spokesperson for the Christian Community 44

People Who Meet Jesus 45

Nicodemus 45

Samaritan Woman 47

Royal Official from Capernaum 51

Invalid at Bethzatha 52

Crowd in Galilee 54

Crowd in Jerusalem 59

Disciples and Friends of Jesus 62

Nathanael 62

Man Born Blind 63

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus 65

Mary Magdalene 68

Peter 70

Thomas 72

Judas Iscariot 73

The Word of God and the Human Condition 76

3. Symbolic Actions 79

New Wine

New Temple 82

Changing Water into Wine (2:1-12) 82

Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25) 86

Healing the Official's Son and the Invalid 89

Three Perspectives (4:46

5:15) 89

Discourse on Jesus' Unity with the Father (5:17-47) 91

Feeding the Five Thousand and Walking on the Sea 94

Feeding the Five Thousand (6:1-15) 95

Walking on the Sea (6:16-21) 97

Bread of Life Discourse (6:22-71) 99

Healing the Man Born Blind 104

Who Sinned? (9:1-41) 104

Prophet

Son of Man (9:1-41) cont.) 107

Gate and Good Shepherd (10:1-42) 109

Raising Lazarus from the Dead 116

Glorification and Death (11:1-16) 116

The Resurrection and the Life (11:17-44) 118

Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem (11:45

12:36) 123

Anointing and Washing Feet 127

Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet (12:1-8) 127

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet (13:1-17) 130

The Great Catch of Fish 134

The Catch and the Meal (21:1-14) 134

Jesus' Mission and Disciples (21:15-25) 136

Hearing, Seeing, and Believing in Johannine Theology 138

4. Light and Darkness 141

The True Light That Enlightens Everyone 142

The Light Shines in the Darkness (1:1-5) 143

True Light and Enlightenment (1:6-9) 147

One Who Came by Night 150

The Light of the World 152

Jesus as Teacher (7:14-24) 152

Jesus as Prophet and Messiah (7:25-52) 153

Jesus' Unity with God (8:12-30) 156

Light and Discipleship (8:12-30 cont.) 159

The Light Is with You a Little Longer 160

We Must Work While It Is Day (9:1-41) 161

Walking in the Day (11:9-10) 162

On Becoming Children of Light (12:27-50) 163

Light and Darkness in the Passion Narrative 166

Light and Darkness in 1 John 168

God and Evil in Johannine Theology 171

5. Water 175

Baptism with Water and the Spirit 176

John Baptized with Water (1:19-34) 177

Water for Jewish Rites of Purification (2:1-11) 181

Birth from Water and the Spirit (3:1-36) 183

Living Water 187

Jacob's Well and the Spring of Living Water (4:1-42) 187

Troubled Waters at Bethzatha (5:1-16) 191

Rivers of Living Water (7:37-39) 192

Blood and Water at the Crucifixion 200

Water in 1 John 203

Cleansing from Sin and Thirst for God in Johannine Theology 204

6. The Crucifixion 207

Behold the Man 210

"Crucify him, crucify him" 210

"I find no crime in him" 214

Behold the Lamb of God 216

That the Scripture Might Be Fulfilled 217

The Cross and Sacrifice 219

Behold Your King 224

Enthronement of the Prophet-King 224

Death of the Prophet-King 227

We Beheld His Glory 230

The Ruler of This World Is Cast Out 230

Exaltation and Glorification 235

Behold Your Son, Behold Your Mother 239

Forming a Community of Faith 240

Jesus' Mother and the Beloved Disciple 241

Jesus' Death in Johannine Theology 244

7. Symbol and Community 247

Symbol and Unity 250

The Challenge of Unity 250

Symbol and Unity in the Gospel 257

Symbol and Patterns of Discipleship 264

Competing Patterns: Torah, Friendship, Honor 265

Symbols and Discipleship: The True Vine (15:1-17) and Other Images 270

Symbol and the World 277

The World and the Johannine Context 278

Symbols and the World 282

8. Symbol and the Knowledge of God 287

God the Father 288

Human Estrangement 290

Jesus as the Way 294

Sacramental Symbolism 301

Geographical Symbolism 309

Numerical Symbolism 311.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 317-338) and indexes.

ISBN:

0800635949

OCLC:

51342466