MIQRA Institute of Biblical Studies
Reading Scripture, Hearing God
Introduction to
John - Journey Through The One-Year Bible
(My Bridge
Radio)
Sepharim 'al ha-miqra’: Books about
the Scriptures (John)
Beasley-Murray, G. R. John.
WBC. 2d ed. Thomas Nelson, 1999 (441 pp.). A critical work that devotes
considerable introductory space to the standard concerns of
historical-critical research. The heart of the commentary is
well-structured and moves by section (rather than chapter division)
through Introduction, Translation and Notes, Form/Structure/Setting,
Commentary, Explanation (which last is meant to suffice for a
theological component, but is severely short in any canonical reflection
while extra-canonical reflection, oddly, gets space). In this way, it
might be regarded as going the other way from Bock’s Luke. See, however,
Gospel of Life: Theology in the Fourth Gospel by the same author. Still,
the work is important and will be useful for a close look at John.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John.
PNTC. Eerdmans, 1991 (715 pp.). On the Pillar commentaries, see Morris
above. A solid commentary by a well-known evangelical scholar. Introduction
covers the book’s uniqueness, history of interpretation, authenticity,
authorship, date, provenance, purpose, theology, and structure. The
remaining introductory section, “Preaching from the Fourth Gospel,” shows
the author’s admirable commitment to church leaders. Engages a
representative sampling of John research while emphasizing the flow of the
text and the Gospel’s thought. However, issues of biblical and systematic
theology occasionally take center stage. Useful for preaching and teaching.
Within reach of informed nonspecialists.
