Affirming the Resurrection of the Incarnate Christ
A Reading of 1 John

Argues that 1 John was written to affirm Jesus' resurrection, in light of Jewish denials that he was the Christ.

Matthew D. Jensen (Author)

9781107429468, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 July 2014

236 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.28 kg

'The book is commended for its simplicity of style, clarity of expression and ease of reading. This book should be on the shelf of every library, as well as in the hands of each informed reader.' Review of Biblical Literature

The first letter of John is commonly understood to contain no reference to Jesus's resurrection. Matthew D. Jensen argues that, far from this being absent from the theology of 1 John, the opening verses contain a key reference to the resurrection which undergirds the rest of the text and is bolstered by other explicit references to the resurrection. The book goes on to suggest that the author and the readers of this epistle understand themselves to be the authentic Israel from which faithless Jews had apostatized when they denied that Jesus was 'the Christ' and left the community. Jensen's interpretation calls for a new understanding of the historical context in which 1 John was written, particularly the question of Jesus' identity from the perspective of his fellow Jews. An innovative and provocative study, of interest to scholars and advanced students of New Testament studies, Johannine theology and Jewish history.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I. A Reading Method: 1. Methods of reading 1 John 11
2. Circles and tangents: a reading strategy
Part II. A Reading of 1 John: 3. The resurrected incarnate Christ: 1 John 1:1–5
4. The claimants: 1 John 1:6–2:11
5. The historical situation: 1 John 2:15–2:27
6. The audience: 1 John 2:28–3:24
7. The confession: 1 John 4:1–6
8. The resurrection of the crucified Jesus: 1 John 4:7–5:21
Conclusion
Appendix: the structure of 1 John.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], New Testaments [HRCF2], Religion: general [HRA]