The Prophetic Gospel: A Study of John and the Old Testament - Hardcover

Hanson, Anthony Tyrrell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0567095835 ISBN 13: 9780567095831

Publisher: UNKNO, 2000

Synopsis

Why is the account of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel so very different from the one we find in the Synoptic Gospels? Professor Hanson believes that at least part of the answer can be found in the considerable dependence of John's narrative on the Old Testament. The first thirteen chapters of this book are devoted to careful examination of the language of the Gospel in this light. Again and again this shows that passages are heavily influenced by the Old Testament, mostly from the Septuagint but also sometimes by the targumic tradition. This leads to the conclusion that John was writing what might be called a 'prophetic gospel' rather than an historical account of Jesus' life. He saw many passages in what he regarded as scripture as containing prophecies which must have been fulfilled in the life and teaching of Jesus, despite having no historical basis. Although this is not to say that John freely invented speeches and episodes as he chose, John thus felt justified in departing widely from

About this title

About the Author

Anthony Tyrrell Hanson was Professor of Theology at the University of Hull until his retirement in 1982.

Review

"'This book...is full of immense learning, fascinating suggestions, daring hypotheses, stimulating juxtaposition of Old and New Testament material. One looks at John with fresh eyes...' N. T. Wright 'Hanson's book is both stimulating and insightful. Johannine scholars will debate for many years to come his thesis that the author "was deploying the full resources of scripture to set out at length the full significance of Jesus for the church." Serious students of the Bible, however, will also find much of value in this book, as they learn to follow Professor Hanson's closing words of advice: "The Church must use and value the Fourth Gospel, but it must use and value it for what it is and not for what it is not.'" J. C. McCullough, IBS (International Bible Society) 14, June 1992"

Edition details

• Publisher: UNKNO
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0567095835
• ISBN 13: 9780567095831
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 400