The discussion initiated by The Gospels for All Christians: Rethinking the Gospel Audiences, edited by Richard Bauckham, has had a profound effect on gospel study and has been probed and debated at major conferences, as well as at an international conference on the Gospel of John (2002). Almost every commentary or major monograph on the gospels has had to deal with its thesis. In light of this ongoing debate stretching nearly a decade, it seems that a further volume is sorely needed. Even more, there is now a pressing need for further definition and clarification of the concepts and ideas that were originally presented, as well as a more precise dialogue over these hotly debated issues in gospel interpretation, with scholars who have been participating in the discussion since its inception. This multi-contributor volume will press forward an important discussion centered upon the audience of the gospels, continuing further the quest for understanding the origin and function of the gospels in early Christianity.

Understanding Biblical Theology clarifies the catch-all term "biblical theology," a movement that tries to remove the often-held dichotomy between biblical studies for the Church and as an academic pursuit. This book examines the five major schools of thought regarding biblical theology and handles each in turn, defining and giving a brief developmental history for each one, and exploring each method through the lens of one contemporary scholar who champions it. Using a spectrum between history and theology, each of five "types" of biblical theology are identified as either "more theological" or "more historical" in concern and practice: Biblical Theology as Historical Description (James Barr) Biblical Theology as History of Redemption (D. A. Carson) Biblical Theology as Worldview-Story (N. T. Wright) Biblical Theology as Canonical Approach (Brevard Childs) Biblical Theology as Theological Construction (Francis Watson). A conclusion suggests how any student of the Bible can learn from these approaches.

The last generation of gospel scholarship has considered the reconstruction and analysis of the audience behind the gospels as paradigmatic. The key hermeneutical template for reading the gospels has been the quest for the community that each gospel represents. This scholarly consensus regarding the audience of the gospels has been reconsidered. Using as a test case one of the most entrenched gospels, Edward Klink explores the evidence for the audience behind the Gospel of John. This study challenges the prevailing gospel paradigm by examining the community construct and its functional potential in early Christianity, the appropriation of a gospel text and J. L. Martyn's two-level reading of John, and the implied reader located within the narrative. The study concludes by proposing a more appropriate audience model for reading John, as well as some implications for the function of the gospel in early Christianity.

The last generation of gospel scholarship has considered the reconstruction and analysis of the audience behind the gospels as paradigmatic. The key hermeneutical template for reading the gospels has been the quest for the community that each gospel represents. But this scholarly consensus regarding the audience of the gospels has recently been reconsidered. Using as a test case one of the most entrenched gospels, Edward Klink explores the evidence for the audience behind the Gospel of John. This study challenges the current gospel paradigm by examining the community construct and its functional potential in early Christianity, the appropriation of a gospel text and J. L. Martyn's two-level reading of John, and the implied reader located within the narrative. The study concludes by proposing a more appropriate audience model for reading John, as well as some implications for the function of the gospel in early Christianity.

This series is designed for those who know biblical languages. It is written primarily for the pastor and Bible teacher, not for the scholar. That is, the aim is not to review and offer a critique of every possible interpretation that has ever been given to a passage, but to exegete each passage of Scripture succinctly in its grammatical and historical context. Each passage is interpreted in the light of its biblical setting, with a view to grammatical detail, literary context, flow of biblical argument, and historical setting. While the focus will not be on application, it is expected that the authors will offer suggestions as to the direction in which application can flow.

The discussion initiated by The Gospels for All Christians: Rethinking the Gospel Audiences, edited by Richard Bauckham, has had a profound effect on gospel study and has been probed and debated at major conferences, as well as at an international conference on the Gospel of John (2002). Almost every commentary or major monograph on the gospels has had to deal with its thesis. In light of this ongoing debate stretching nearly a decade, it seems that a further volume is sorely needed. Even more, there is now a pressing need for further definition and clarification of the concepts and ideas that were originally presented, as well as a more precise dialogue over these hotly debated issues in gospel interpretation, with scholars who have been participating in the discussion since its inception. This multi-contributor volume will press forward an important discussion centered upon the audience of the gospels, continuing further the quest for understanding the origin and function of the gospels in early Christianity.