Ecclesiology and Theosis in the Gospel of John

Andrew Byers argues that ecclesiology is as central a Johannine concern as Christology, and that John's Gospel presents a narrative ecclesiology that unfolds throughout the Gospel's sequence. The theme of oneness draws on the theological language of the Shema, and involves the believers' corporate participation within the divine family, expressed by the bold assertion found in Jesus' citation of Psalm 82: "you are gods."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 293 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

For the author of the fourth Gospel, there exists neither a Christless church nor a churchless Christ. While John's Gospel has often been perceived as ambivalent towards the concept of church, Andrew Byers contends that ecclesiology holds a central place in the Johannine writings, alongside Christology. Instead of solely emphasizing the community that lies behind the text, John's Gospel directs our attention to the vision of community prescribed within the text itself, which unfolds as a narrative ecclesiology throughout the Gospel's sequence. The theme of oneness permeates this script and draws upon the theological language of the Shema, a cornerstone of early Jewish theology and social identity. To be one with this one God and his one Shepherd entails the believers' corporate participation within the divine family. Such participation necessitates an ontological transformation that warrants an ecclesial identity expressed by the bold assertion found in Jesus' citation of Psalm 82: "You are gods."

The concept of church in John's Gospel is presented as a narrative ecclesiology, which unfolds gradually throughout the Gospel's sequence. The theme of oneness functions within this script and draws on the theological language of the Shema, a centerpiece of early Jewish theology and social identity. To be one with this one God and his one Shepherd involves the believers' corporate participation within the divine family. This participation requires an ontological transformation that warrants an ecclesial identity expressed by the bold assertion found in Jesus' citation of Psalm 82: "You are gods."

Andrew Byers argues that John's Gospel emphasizes the vision of community prescribed within the text, which is presented as a narrative ecclesiology. This narrative ecclesiology directs attention to the concept of church as it gradually unfolds throughout the Gospel's sequence. The theme of oneness functions within this script and draws on the theological language of the Shema, a cornerstone of early Jewish theology and social identity. To be one with this one God and his one Shepherd entails the believers' corporate participation within the divine family. Such participation necessitates an ontological transformation that warrants an ecclesial identity expressed by the bold assertion found in Jesus' citation of Psalm 82: "You are gods."

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316630976