Synopses & Reviews
This volume examines Johannine symbolism in context of the relationship between Jesus the Son and God the Father. The Johannine revelation of Christ symbolically portrays Jesus as Son of God relationally inseparable from his Father, thus the Son-Father Relationship (SFR) is at the center of the network of Christological symbols in the Gospel. The SFR is subtly and symbolically introduced in the Prologue (1:1-18), developed in the narrative through the words and actions of Jesus' teaching ministry before culminating in the Prayer, which at the end of Jesus' teaching ministry elevates the SFR to its highest point in the narrative. Thus, the narrative development of the SFR structures John's unique symbolism.
A key feature of this book is the Theory of Johannine Symbolism, which is the theory of symbol specially formulated to reveal the symbolic network referred to in this study as "John's ChristologicalSymbology." The theory explains how Johannine symbols function in the text while the symbology reveals how the author of the Gospel unveils Jesus as Son of God by means of a symbolic network centered on the SFR and set within a strategic, persuasive narrative. Throughout the Gospel, the authorial intent expressed in 20:31 is unmistakable - that hearer-readers believe Jesus the Christisthe Sonof God. The symbolic narrative of the Gospel of John is therefore the consequence of careful theological consideration of Jesus Christ in context of his relationship with God the Father.
Synopsis
This volume examines Johannine symbolism within the lens of Jesus relationship with the Father. After demonstrating that the Gospel narrative symbolically portrays Jesus as the Son of God who is relationally inseparable from his Father, the study shows how the Son-Father Relationship (SFR) is at the center of the network of Christological symbols in the Gospel of John. Using an innovative narrative framework, this book unveils the creative and symbolic introduction of the SFR in the Prologue (Jn. 1. 1-18), its development through the words and actions of Jesus teaching ministry within the Johannine narrative, and its culmination in the Prayer (Jn. 17); the SFR motif then concludes in the remainder of the Gospel. This narrative framework reveals how the SFR shapes the literary style and theological strategy of the Gospel, and acts as an integrative force by giving structure and cohesion to the Gospels symbolic system. Two key features presented in this book are a theory of symbolism and a network of symbols. The specially formulated ‘Theory of Johannine Symbolism explains the theoretical and theological underpinnings of the Gospels symbolic network, called ‘Johns Christological Symbology. Through the symbolic network, the author of the Gospel fulfills the theological purpose stated in Jn. 20:31—that hearer-readers believe in Jesus the Christ, as the Son of God, and thereby experience eternal life.
About the Author
Adesola Akala earned her PhD (Biblical Studies) at Asbury Theological Seminary, USA.
Table of Contents
1. JOHNS FIGURATIVE WORLD
2. THEORIES OF SYMBOL
3. THEORY OF JOHANNINE SYMBOLISM
4. NARRATIVE AND SYMBOL IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
5. METHODOLOGY
6. THE PROLOGUE: THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
7. THE PROLOGUE: NARRATIVE ANALYSIS
8. THE PRAYER: NARRATIVE ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION WITH THE PROLOGUE
9. JOHNS CHRISTOLOGICAL SYMBOLOGY
10. THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS