Cornelis Bennema

Applying a comprehensive theory of character to the Gospel of John, Cornelis Bennema provides a fresh analysis of the characters and their responses to Jesus. While the majority of scholars view most Johannine characters as “flat,” Bennema demonstrates that many are complex, developing, and “round.” John’s broad array of characters correspond to people and their choices in real life in any culture and time. This book highlights how John’s Gospel seeks to challenge its readers about where they stand in relation to Jesus.

Character Studies in the Gospel of John, Second Edition

Encountering Jesus

Cornelis Bennema elucidates the soteriological function of the Spirit in the Fourth Gospel, and analyzes the interrelationship between John's pneumatology and soteriology along the trajectory of wisdom. As a possible conceptual background for aspects of Johannine pneumatology, he selects the Jewish wisdom tradition and suggests that sapient Judaism understood 'salvation' as an intensification of that work of the Spirit that is already immanent to a person, namely, the mediation of life and wisdom. The development of an overall model of Johannine soteriology, which holds together both the relational and cognitive aspects of salvation, assists in identifying the specific activities in which the Spirit is involved. The author argues that the soteriological function of the Spirit is twofold. First, the Spirit creates a saving relationship between the believer and the Father and Son, by mediating to people the saving wisdom present in Jesus' life-giving teaching. The Spirit thus enables the believer to come to an adequate understanding and belief-response. Second, the Spirit sustains this saving relationship through further mediation of wisdom that enables the believer to demonstrate discipleship as an ongoing belief-response. Hence, the Spirit accomplishes his soteriological role precisely in his function as a life-giving cognitive agent, i.e., through the mediation of saving wisdom the Spirit provides cognitive perception, understanding, and so life. This concept of the Spirit is the most important continuity between the models of salvation in sapient Judaism and in the Fourth Gospel.

An Investigation of Spirit and Wisdom in Relation to the Soteriology of the Fourth Gospel

The Power of Saving Wisdom

I. Howard Marshall

Max Turner

Volker Rabens

This volume gathers writings about the Spirit and Christ by notable scholars including Richard Bauckham, D. A. Carson, James Dunn, and many others. Covering topics that are relevant for the worldwide church today -- the life-giving work of the Spirit, the Spirit in Luke and Acts, the gift of the Spirit in John 19 20, pneumatology and justifi cation, community life through the Spirit, and more -- the twenty essays included will be a welcome resource for scholars and ministers. The Spirit and Christ in the New Testament and Christian Theology is also a fitting tribute to honoree Max Turner, whose outstanding scholarship has focused on pneumatology and Christology. Contributors: Richard Bauckham Cornelis Bennema D. A. Carson James D. G. Dunn Conrad Gempf Joel B. Green Desta Heliso Veli-Matti Krkkinen Anthony N. S. Lane John R. Levison I. Howard Marshall Graham McFarlane Robert P. Menzies Steve Motyer Andr Munzinger Volker Rabens Mark L. Strauss John Christopher Thomas Chris Tilling Robert W. Wall Steve Walton

Essays in Honor of Max Turner

The Spirit and Christ in the New Testament and Christian Theology

Paul Joshua Bhakiaraj

Indian and Christian: Changing Identities in Modern India is a collection of essays from the 1st SAIACS Consultation that took place during November 2010 at SAIACS, Bangalore. ‘Who am I?’ is a question that every human needs to ask themselves. In this book, this question is looked at from a dual perspective—Indian and Christian. Can one be both ‘Indian’ and ‘Christian’ in the modern world? Should one have a single identity or can one have multiple identities? The book attempts to address these issues with clarity and conviction through sixteen articles covering areas of Biblical Studies, Theology & Philosophy, Religion & Culture, and Pastoral Theology & Psychology.

Cornelis Bennema

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