The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel

by Craig R. Koester

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2008

Overview

This accessible work explores the major theological dimensions of John’s Gospel, including God, the world and its people, Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, the Spirit, faith, and discipleship. Craig Koester’s Word of Life is notable for its comprehensive treatment of themes and its close, careful focus on the narrative of the biblical text.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Explores the major theological dimensions of John’s Gospel
• Focuses on the comprehensive treatment of themes within the biblical text

Contents

• God
• The World and Its People
• Jesus
• Crucifixion and Resurrection
• The Spirit
• Faith, Present and Future
• Discipleship in Community and World

Top Highlights

“the story of Jesus encountering particular people is also the story of God engaging the world” (Page 8)

“But in John’s Gospel God loves the world that hates him; he gives his Son for the world that rejects him. He offers his love to a world estranged from him in order to overcome its hostility and bring the world back into relationship with its Creator (3:16).” (Page 81)

“Third, the Gospel of John was composed among Christians who understood the Spirit to be active among them.” (Page 7)

“Second, the Father relates to his children in love” (Page 52)

“In the end, John’s Gospel does not explain why some people believe and others do not. Rather than speculating as to the reason that some refuse to believe, the Gospel focuses on what it would take for them to come to faith. God enables people to see who he is through the light of Jesus. If some become blind, the way for their perception to be altered is, paradoxically, through continued exposure to the light. Similarly, God evokes faith through his Word of truth and love. If some reject him, the way for this to change is by continued encounter with the Word of truth and love, through the work of God’s Spirit.” (Page 80)

Praise for the Print Edition

Reading The Word of Life is like taking a guided tour through the intriguing world of John’s theology, a tour led by one of the world’s most able and experienced Johannine scholars. Craig Koester integrates the history of interpretation with thorough and responsible theological analyses of the text of the Gospel in ways that constantly enrich the reader.

—Jan Van der Watt, chair in New Testament and source texts of early Christianity, Radboud University

Product Details

• Title: The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel
• Author: Craig R. Koester
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 259
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. John › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. John › Theology
• ISBNs: 9780802829382, 0802829384
• Resource ID: LLS:WRDLFTHJHNSGSPL
• Resource Type: text.monograph.biblical-theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-01-16T19:31:24Z

About Craig R. Koester

Craig R. Koester is Professor Emeritus and holds the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned his B.A. from Saint Olaf College, his M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York. Before joining the seminary faculty in 1986, he served several years in parish ministry. In 2012 he was appointed to the Nasby Chair, and between 2013–2018 he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.

Koester is well known for his engaging pedagogy. He designed a “Genesis to Revelation” course that integrates visuals, drama, and music to lead students through the Bible’s overarching narrative. He also developed publicly accessible courses via the Great Courses series, including Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History and Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation.

In his scholarship, Koester has made major contributions to biblical interpretation, especially in Johannine literature and Revelation. His works include commentaries on Hebrews and Revelation in the Anchor Yale series, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel, and The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel. He has also served as associate editor for New Testament Studies, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and is active in international scholarly forums.

Throughout his career, Koester has balanced deep academic engagement with public outreach—participating in church conferences, presiding in seminary leadership, and contributing to the design of narrative lectionary resources.