Johannine Theology: The Gospel, the Epistles and the Apocalypse Hardcover – September 4, 2014

"After a flurry of Johannine theologies appearing in the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, the fourth Gospel has been less well served in recent years. Here is the first book-length treatment of the major themes of all five of John's writings, synthesized into one grand collection of data and discussions. Abreast of the full range of scholarship on each topic and subtopic treated, Rainbow's work still reads as if he began with an inductive study of the texts themselves in the Gospel, the three epistles and the Apocalypse, so that his summary points clearly emerge out of the text of Scripture, analyzed in considerable detail. Warmly to be welcomed."

"Exegetically intricate, bibliographically exhaustive, theologically alert, historically judicious and hermeneutically traditional. Paul Rainbow's decades of research, sifting of substantive scholarship, and careful examination of the texts of the apostle John are brought into a theological synthesis incomparable for our day. Johannine Theology may well become an encyclopedia for Johannine studies for decades to come."

"Paul Rainbow attempts an ambitious task of plotting the theological coherence of the Johannine corpus. His study of the Gospel of John, letters of John and Apocalypse of John demonstrates time and again that they share a common theological fabric. Rainbow brings together what many have rent asunder, and he enables readers to appreciate the Johannine testimony to the revelation of God the Father in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A well-researched and well-crafted book destined to help students and pastors wrestle with the whole breadth of John's writings."

"Rainbow speaks with a clear, well informed voice on major issues and debates in Johannine scholarship while at the same time displaying deep understanding of later church theology. He has a gift for concisely stating complex ideas and relationships. . . . Johannine scholars will certainly benefit from this excellent work and it may prove even more valuable to theologians seeking exegetical enrichment for their reflections on the Trinity, Christology, soteriology, and ecclesiology."

"This book is highly recommended. Students, pastors, Christian leaders, educated laypeople, theologians, exegetes, historians, and anyone else who wants a helpful resource to understand the Johannine literature will find this book valuable. It is the kind of book that should be read and kept as a beneficial resource when wrestling with these Scriptures. It is a model of scholarship yet has a pastoral tone. The author has given the church a great gift."

"Rainbow has applied his synthetic (perhaps 'relational-theological') approach with aplomb. Moreover, he engages significant and, at times, overlooked secondary literature with care in numerous in-depth footnotes. For these and many other reasons, Johannine Theology should serve scholars, pastors, and students with biblical-theological clarity and integrity for years to come."

"For those who seek answers to questions such as, 'What does John say about the Father,' or 'How does John contribute to our understanding of the person and work of Jesus,' this volume will prove quite useful. Rainbow has gathered all the relevant material from the Johannine corpus that speaks to these questions and has placed the material in a well-organized and easy-to-access format. For such questions and conversations, his book is an excellent resource."

"This book is indeed a novel text―one that may encourage other Johannine scholars to explore what a synthesis of all five writings of the Johannine corpus might look like. In this sense, Rainbow has laid down an important challenge to all those interested in the study of the beloved disciple's inspired works."

Paul A. Rainbow (DPhil, Oxford) is professor of New Testament at Sioux Falls Seminary. He is the author of The Pith of the Apocalypse and The Way of Salvation.