Life Abounding: A Reading of John’s Gospel

by Brendan Byrne

Publisher:

Liturgical Press

, 2014

Overview

The Fourth Gospel addresses the thirst for life that lies at the depth of every human heart. The life in question is not just physical life but the “more abundant life” (John 10:10) that is nothing less than a share in the “eternal life” of the divine communion of love. Brendan Byrne’s insightful reading of John in Life Abounding will help readers move from mere existence to a conscious sense of sharing the divine eternal life—and the joy that goes with it.

The reading of the Fourth Gospel offered here remains conscious of the difficulties John presents on several fronts for contemporary readers. Byrne explains the text in a way that is critical yet sensitive to the gospel’s distinctive character and the untapped treasures it may yet contain for theology and spirituality today. This volume represents the completion of Byrne’s highly successful series of books on the four gospels, which have proven to be rich resources for preachers, teachers, and all who desire a more profound understanding of the life of Jesus as it is presented in the gospels.

Key Features

• Addresses the thirst for life that lies at the depth of every human heart.
• Explains the text in a way that is critical yet sensitive to the gospel’s distinctive.
• Represents the completion of Byrne’s highly successful series of books.

Praise for Print Edition

Once again, Byrne has produced a finely-written commentary on the Gospels-in this case the Gospel of John-which complements his previous commentaries on the Synoptic Gospels. This study makes the Gospel beautifully available to the preacher, the student, the Retreat leader, the man or woman in the pews, and the interesting inquirer, as well as to the academic theologian. Grounded in scholarly research, it opens up the Johannine text to the modern reader, clarifying its meaning and making connections to contemporary life. It is well worth reading for its lucidity, succinctness and depth.

--The Reverend Dorothy A. Lee, Trinity College, University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia

Decades of research, teaching, reflection, and Christian ministry lie behind this fine commentary on the Gospel of John. Beautifully written, with due respect for the wide range of interpretations that have been brought to this much-loved, but complex, story of Jesus, Brendan Byrne has produced an outstanding book. The commentary steers a well-argued course between widely diverging interpretative possibilities. Scattered through the text are profound reflections on the challenge to Christian life and practice that emerge from the Johannine understanding of what God has done for us in and through Jesus. This book deserves to be in the hands of all who look to the Gospels for their Christian inspiration: preachers, teachers, and believing people.

--Francis J. Moloney, SDB, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Australian Catholic University

Both elegantly and accessibly written, both conversant with key interpretative issues and pastorally reflective, Brendan Byrne’s new commentary admirably achieves its purpose of opening up the theological and spiritual riches of the Gospel of John. Byrne is a sure-footed and illuminating guide on this enjoyable path through the Gospel. Along the journey he consistently helps readers appreciate more fully the individual stages while at the same time managing to keep the focus on the destination-the Gospel’s pervasive claim that life is more than mere existence but, as experienced in Jesus, can be participation in God’s abounding life.

--Andrew T. Lincoln, Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire

Product Details

• Title: Life Abounding: A Reading of John’s Gospel
• Author: Brendan Byrne
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 376
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780814635995, 0814635997
• Resource ID: LLS:LFBNDNGJHNSGSPL
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-11-12T14:29:24Z

About Brendan Byrne

Brendan Byrne, is a professor of New Testament at Jesuit Theological College, within the United Faculty of Theology, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of Romans (1996) from the Sacra Pagina series, Galatians and Romans (2010), The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke's Gospel (2000), A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark's Gospel (2008), and Lifting the Burden: Reading Matthew's Gospel in the Church Today (2004), all published by Liturgical Press.