Full Description
Mathew E. Sousa demonstrates that in certain respects, John's doctrine of salvation fails to align with its customary depiction in Johannine scholarship. Sousa suggests that, according to John, the human predicament is not merely "unbelief" or a lack of mental perception, and Jesus's mission consists not merely of "revelation" and/or a purely forensic atonement. Rather, Jesus is (for John) the one who makes true and everlasting life an accomplished fact for humanity, and in doing so Jesus reveals the true nature of the predicament from which he saves.
Sousa argues that salvation in the Gospel of John concerns "ethics" and the quality or condition of human corporeality. The matters of sin and death in particular also make clear that, according to John, the human predicament is a reality that in various ways persists for believers as they both are and become children of God. Sousa thus concludes that salvation for John consists of far more than the emergence of belief in a moment of decision.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Life and Light, Darkness and Ignorance of God: The Prologue as Introduction to the Human Predicament and Its Solution
Chapter 3. Illness, Disability, and Death: The Man with a Disabling Illness at Bethzatha and Jesus's Consequent Monologue
Chapter 4. Sin and Its Effects: The Case of "the Jews" Who Believe and Fall Away
Chapter 5. Conclusions and Reflections
Bibliography
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Ancient Sources
Index of Subjects
