The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel

C. H. Dodd (Author)

9780521095174, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 May 1968

492 pages
22.5 x 14.9 x 2.9 cm, 0.68 kg

'An erudite volume which is of essential importance for all who study this Gospel closely. In recent years many scholars have affirmed the pervasive influence of Hellenistic religious thought upon the Evangelist's presentation of the story and teaching of Jesus, but no one has treated this question so comprehensively and with so much detail … There cannot be any doubt that here is a work of first rank.' Cambridge Review

Since its publication almost forty years ago, The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel has established itself as a classic of biblical scholarship. Regarded as a seminal text in Johannine studies, it provides a comprehensive and authoritative exposition of the major elements and themes contained in this more original and fascinating of ancient documents. The author reconstructs the background and intellectual milieu out of which the Fourth Gospel may be supposed to have taken shape. He then defines as precisely as possible the leading concepts that may be said to have determined the structure and arrangement of the book as we have it. The result is a massive achievement, and no serious student of the New Testament can afford to ignore this study's findings. The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel represents the culmination of a lifetime's reflection on its subject by one of this century's most distinguished New Testament scholars, and will continue to stimulate and provoke generations of readers.

Part I. The Background: 1. The setting in early Christianity
2. The higher religion of Hellenism: the Hermetic literature
3. Hellenistic Judaism: Philo of Alexandris
4. Rabbinic Judaism
5. Gnosticism
6. Mandaism
Part II. Leading Ideas: 7. Symbolism
8. Eternal life
9. Knowledge of God
10. Truth
11. Faith
12. Union with God
13. Light, glory, judgment
14. Spirit
15. Messiah
16. Son of man
17. Son of God
18. Logos
Part III. Argument and Structure: 19. The Proem: prologue and testimony
20. The book of signs
21. The book of the passion
Appendix
Index locorum
Index nominum.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]