Quick Look
- Insightful reflections on meaning in John's Gospel, shining a light on the person of Jesus Christ
- Explores important themes including the workings of grace, knowledge, and faith
- Written by an experienced Christian Community priest
Fascinating insights into meaning in John's Gospel, examining key themes and less well-known figures surrounding Christ.
Description
The Gospel of John occupies a special place among the four Gospels. Not only is it precise in its historical details and its descriptions of the events of Jesus' life and work -- lending support to its claim of being an eye-witness account -- but it also offers a deep insight into the person of Jesus Christ through his questions, statements and other utterances.
In this perceptive book, Christian Community priest Johannes Lauten reflects upon the many layers of meaning in John's Gospel. He explores some of the less well-known figures surrounding Christ, examines recurring words and phrases such as the 'Son of Man' and the seven 'I am' statements, and illuminates themes like knowledge, faith, the workings of grace and Christ's path to the Cross.
Lauten also considers the origins of the gospel and questions the accepted notion that it was written by John, the son of Zebedee and the brother of James. He suggests that the account of the raising of Lazarus, a story not recorded in the other gospels, holds the key to the true identity of the 'disciple whom Jesus loved'.
This thought-provoking book will be of interest to biblical scholars and those wishing to gain a deeper insight into the central meaning of Christianity.
Reviews
'In finishing this short book one is left with a sense of gratitude to Johannes Lauten, as he guides us to a deeper understanding of the Gospel of St John and Christ’s deed on Golgotha… In the preface of this book, Lauten expresses the hope that the reader will find an inner confirmation of the closeness of Christ and his work of salvation, and come to experience the significance of a contemporary Christianity. In my view the author has more than achieved this giving the reader many valuable insights into the heart of the matter.'
-- Perspectives
Author
Johannes Lauten was born in Cologne, Germany in 1934. He was ordained as priest of The Christian Community in 1959 and worked in Stuttgart and Essen. For many years he was a member of the leadership of the Christian Community and jointly responsible for the training of teachers of religion. He has lectured widely and has written books on the Gospel readings of the Christian year, the Book of Revelation, and about Saint Paul.
