The Prologue of the Gospel of John

Its Literary, Theological, and Philosophical Contexts. Papers read at the Colloquium Ioanneum 2013

Edited by Udo Schnelle Edited by Jan G. van der Watt Edited by R. Alan Culpepper

Book cover: The Prologue of the Gospel of John

Extent: 364 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(June 2016)

ISBN: 9783161547713

6.34 x 9.8 inches

Price: $231.00

In stock

What is the origin and background of the Prologue of the Gospel of John? How does it stand in relation to the rest of the Gospel? The papers in this volume addressing these questions were presented at the first meeting of the Colloquium Ioanneum, an international group of scholars distinguished by their contributions to Johannine studies.


A key to understanding the Gospel of John is, in many respects, its prologue; yet questions regarding its origin and background, its structure, use of Greek philosophical terms, and indeed its relationship to the rest of the gospel still remain open. The papers in this volume address each of these questions and were presented at the first meeting of the Colloquium Ioanneum, a group of distinguished international Johannine scholars broadly representing different nationalities, religious traditions and approaches to the gospel. The first part offers differing assessments of the background, literary, and theological elements of the prologue, while the second examines presuppositions, methods, and perspectives involved in philosophical interpretation of the Gospel of John. Contributors:John Ashton, R. Alan Culpepper, Jorg Frey, Christos Karakolis, Craig R. Koester, William R. G. Loader, George L. Parsenios, Udo Schnelle, Michael Theobald, Marianne Meye Thompson, Jan G. van der Watt, Catrin H. Williams, Ruben Zimmermann, Jean Zumstein

Part 1: Confronting the Challenges of the Prologue
R. Alan Culpepper: The Prologue as Theological Prolegomenon to the Gospel of John - John Ashton: Really a Prologue? - William R. G. Loader: The Significance of the Prologue for Understanding John's Soteriology - Jan G. van der Watt: John 1:1 - A "Riddle"? Grammar and Syntax Considered - Catrin H. Williams: (Not) Seeing God in the Prologue and Body of John's Gospel - Ruben Zimmermann: John (the Baptist) as a Character in the Fourth Gospel: The Narrative Strategy of a Witness Disappearing - Michael Theobald: Eine Gemeinschaft von "Zeugen" (von Joh 1:7, 15 bis 3 Joh 12): Beobachtungen zur Genese des Corpus Iohanneum auf der Basis des Prologs - Christos Karakolis: The Logos-Concept and Dramatic Irony in the Johannine Prologue and Narrative
Part 2: Reading the Language and Concepts of the Prologue in Their Philosophical Context
Udo Schnelle: Philosophische Interpretation des Johannesevangeliums: Voraussetzungen, Methoden und Perspektiven - Jörg Frey: Between Torah and Stoa: How Could Readers Have Understood the Johannine Logos? - Craig R. Koester: "Spirit" (Pneuma) in Greco-Roman Philosophy and the Gospel of John - George L. Parsenios: Confounding Foes and Counseling Friends: Parrēsia in the Fourth Gospel and Greco-Roman Philosophy - Marianne Meye Thompson: "Light" (φῶς): The Philosophical Content of the Term and the Gospel of John - Jean Zumstein: "Zeichen" (σημεῖον): Philosophischer Inhalt und Gebrauch des Begriffs im Johannesevangelium

  • Edited by Udo Schnelle
  • Edited by Jan G. van der Watt
  • Edited by R. Alan Culpepper