Other Epistles of the New Testament: 1, 2, & 3 John

After years of close contact with the Johannine epistles, David Rensberger discusses the numerous puzzles--linguistic, literary, and historical--that characterize these brief texts. His comments on their theological and ethical significance illumines the meaning and interrelationship of faith and love. In short, Rensberger skillfully demonstrates that despite the Johannine epistles' existence on the periphery of the New Testament canon, they nevertheless touch on the heart of its message.Inquiry includes relationship of these epistles to the gospel of John, Christology, Dualism, Eschatology, the Church, and Salvation.

"Tom Johnson combines familiarity with recent scholarship and lucidity of thought and expression into a fine and readable commentary on the epistles of John. While packed full of exegetical, philosophical and historical notes that help the reader to make sense of the argument and thought of the epistles in their original setting, the commentary is not overly loaded with the freight of technical jargon and debate. Johnson deftly leads the reader through difficult passages, but provides plenty to chew on in the process. The student who wants a reliable guide to the thought of the epistles will be well served by this volume."" Marianne Meye Thompson, Fuller Theological Seminary

This careful and thoughtful book unlocks the door to the theological and ethical treasures contained in the Epistles of John. It is an invitation to a journey of discovery, from the well-known and familiar to the less familiar but rewarding. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

The New Testament's three letters attributed to John have always provided remarkable theological riches for the Christian tradition, including the assertion "God is love." Each letter shows how an early Christian author responded to threats against authority by recourse to the correct teachings of the faith and a proper understanding of the relationship between Jesus and God. Together, these letters argue for a bond of unity among believers, based on fidelity to the truth of God. The New Testament Library offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, as well as classic volumes of scholarship. The commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text.

An indispensable reference for everyone interested in understanding the Letters of John. Schnackenburg's 3-volume commentary on the Gospel of John was called "second to none in the world" (Biblical Theology Bulletin). Now Schnackenburg brings to a close a truly magisterial work on the Johannine books of the New Testament.

This statement reflects the underlying purpose of The New International Commentary on the New Testament . Begun in the late 1940s by an international team of New Testament scholars, the NICNT series has become recognized by pastors, students, and scholars alike as a critical yet orthodox commentary marked by solid biblical scholarship within the evangelical Protestant tradition.

A scholarly treatment of the major literary, exegetical, and theological issues connected with the Johannine epistles, presented in a detailed and sustained fashion.

A lengthy introduction which discusses the authorship of the Epistles of John, their relationship to the Fourth Gospel, and what they demonstrate about the followers of John, precedes a detailed commentary on the text of the Epistles themselves.

The Johannine Epistles are today read as an important part of the Johannine literature. Yet the meaning of the text is often unclear. Part of the problem arises because, although 1 John is called an Epistle, it lacks the formal marks of an Epistle. In 1, 2, and 3 John, John Painter illuminates the relationship 1, 2, and 3 John have to each other and to the Gospel. Painter explains the historical context of the Johannine Epistles using a socio-rhetorical approach. The writings are shown to reflect a situation of conflict and schism within the Johannine community; they seek to persuade the readers of the truth of the writer's message. In this truth, the readers are encouraged to abide if they would have the assurance of eternal life. Painter also examines the inseparable connection between belief and ethical life in active love for one another. Through the socio-rhetorical approach Painter brings to light the continuing relevance of these writings. 1, 2, and 3 John is divided into two parts.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

The Johannine Epistles have long been recognised as contributing a vital element to the theology of the New Testament. Usually it is to the Gospel that the reader turns first in order to explore that contribution; the First Epistle is treated as a supplement, while 2 and 3 John - on account of their brevity - receive little attention. This book allows the Epistles to speak for themselves, and shows that they sound a distinctive note within Johannine theology, in particular, and the thought of the New Testament, in general. Dr Lieu carefully outlines their most important theological themes (comprising, for example, tensions-in-unity between confidence and imperative, individual and community, and faith and tradition) which - when understood in their original setting - are seen to have rich potential for the continuing theology of the Church. By focusing on the Johannine Epistles in their proper context and in their own right, the author of this book thus provides a timely reassessment of the substantial theological contribution they have to make.

The past fifty years have seen powerful shifts in the methods and objectives of Biblical Studies. The study of the Johannine Literature, in particular, has seen a proliferation of new approaches, as well as innovative exegetical and theological conclusions. This volume surveys the emerging landscape from the perspective of scholars who have shaped the field. Written in a conversational and reflective tone, the articles offer an excellent overview of major issues in the study of the Fourth Gospel and 1-2-3 John.

The life, loves and hates of an individual church in New Testament times. Considers the life and writings of St. John.

The Dead Sea scrolls and the New Testament / Raymond E. Brown. --
Light from Qumran upon some aspects of Johannine theology / James L. Price. --
The Johannine paraclete and the Qumran scrolls / A.R.C. Leaney. --
The calendar of Qumran and the passion narrative in John / A. Jaubert. --
A critical comparison of the dualism in 1QS 3:13-4:26 and the "dualism" contained in the gospel of John / James H. Charlesworth. --
Qumran, John and the Odes of Solomon / James H. Charlesworth. --
Qumran, John and Jewish Christianity / Gilles Quispel. --
The first epistle of John and the writings of Qumran / Marie-Emile Boismard. --
Whence the gospel according to John? / William H. Brownlee.

Of the last discourse (John 16:4b-33) -- Jesus' farewell prayer (John 17) -- The passion of Christ (John 18:1-27) -- Jesus before Pilate (John 18:28; 19:16a) -- The crucifixion of Christ (John 19:16b-42) -- The resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 20) -- The epilogue (John 21) -- Part II: The Epistles of John -- Introduction to the Epistles of John -- Prologue (1 John 1:1-4) -- Three claims and three counterclaims (1 John 1:5; 2:2) -- Three more claims and counterclaims (1 John 2:3-11) -- Assurances and admonitions (1 John 2:12-17) -- The antichrist is here! (1 John 2:18-28) -- Children of God versus children of the devil (1 John 2:29; 3:10) -- Loving one another (1 John 3:11-24) -- Testing the end-time spirits (1 John 4:1-6) -- Love in motion (1 John 4:7; 5:4a) -- Faith is the victory (1 John 5:4b-12) -- Conclusion (1 John 5:13-21) -- Walk in truth and love (2 John) -- House churches in conflict (3 John) -- Part III: Revelation -- Introduction to Revelation.

This volume in the New Testament in Context (NTC) commentary series is a concise treasure-trove of information about two New Testament letters (2 and 3 John) and a treatise or sermon (1 John). Issues of authorship and province are considered, and related commentaries by Bultmann, Schnackenberg, and Brown are engaged. In contract to the infinite detail of these latter commentaries, Gerard Sloyan s work stands as a paragon of clarity, insight, and access to the meaning of the Johannine letters. The overall effect provides the reader with perspective on the kinds of issues christological, ethical, organizational, and theological that were troubling and dividing the church in the second century.

Contents: Why study the Johannine Epistles? -- 2 and 3 John: form, style and content -- 1 John: form style, sources and background -- Who wrote the Johannines and when? -- Christology and the 'opponents' -- 1 John: leading theological ideas -- God's love and the human response -- Sin, forgiveness, judgement, and eschatology -- Conclusions

God's Promise explores the role of this Old Testament covenant metaphor in the literary fabric of the Gospel and Letters of John.

Immorality is inudating the Christian community and gradually eroding the foundations of Christian living. The truth of God incarnate, the atonement and the bodily resurrection of Christ are under attack--even from within the church.These are the concerns of Christians today, and they were the problems that faced the Christians of John's day. In a society that scorned the gospel and sneered at godly living, John encouraged Christians with a message forged from two words--truth and love.In this contemporary retelling of John's message, David Jackman describes John's first letter as an upwardly spiraling staircase that circles and broadens out around the twin themes of truth and love, mind and heart, Word and Spirit. It is a message both timeless and timely for the church today.