The gospel of John's from above orientation transforms our human from below assumptions and habits. It draws us into union with God and into unity with one another. It communicates who Jesus is, in both intimate and profound dimensions. The book of John shapes Christian identity, invigorates worship, and implants eternal hope.

John's gospel defies description, marvels Swartley, professor emeritus at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. It soars like the eagle, links heaven and earth, and both comforts and convicts the human heart. Its Christology is rich, with a plethora of titles for Jesus-even the divine eternal I AM.

Though commentaries on the book of John abound, this volume follows the unique Believers Church Bible Commentary Series format, providing sections on The Text in Biblical Context and The Text in the Life of the Church. According to Swartley, this format serves well the interests of seminary as well as other graduate students

Is it the church's role to sustain cultures and empires? Or should churches take a prophetic stand in relation to the human situation? Can the church both stand for justice and continue in the way of peace? This book offers proposals for those who want to carry forth Christ's benediction of peace. As Nancy Heisey, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Church History, Eastern Mennonite University, observes, "From a concrete story of a real congregation trying to be faithful among its neighbors to discussions of just policing, white superiority, and excommunication for refusal to forgive, this collection offers a challenging and worthwhile read for those who care deeply about how Christian commitment to peace is lived out in our complex world." James E. Brenneman, President, Goshen College, says that "This volume captures not only the good news proclaimed in Christ's benediction to his disciples but also the imagination of its contributors--who propose creative, inspiring, practical and prophetic ways to create a more peaceful planet. Let's hope the contagion spreads." J. Denny Weaver, Co-Author; Defenseless Christianity; and Author, The Nonviolent Atonement, thinks that Peace Be With You offers some soul-satisfying responses to empire. But equally as important, other essays offer needed critique of ways the peace church is drifting toward assimilation to American empire and the ways of empire."

One would think that "peace," a term that occurs as many as one hundred times in the New Testament, would enjoy a prominent place in theological and ethical textbooks. Yet it is surprisingly absent. Willard Swartley's "Covenant of Peace" remedies this deficiency, restoring to New Testament theology and ethics the peace that many works have missed.

In this comprehensive yet accessible book Swartley explicates virtually all of the New Testament, relating peace -- and the associated emphases of love for enemies and reconciliation -- to core theological themes such as salvation, Christology, and the reign of God. No other work in English makes such a contribution.

Swartley concludes by considering specific practices that lead to peacemaking and their place in our contemporary world. Retrieving a historically neglected element in the Christian message, "Covenant of Peace" confronts readers anew with the compelling New Testament witness to peace.

Grounded in a lifetime of biblical study, New Testament scholar Willard M. Swartley takes a fresh look at the Scriptures and what they would teach on the current and controversial subject of homosexuality. Swartley presents all sides of the issue, drawing from contemporary scholarship and cultural analysis.

This irenic book explores two pervasive New Testament teachings that are foundational to peace: Jesus' commands to love enemies and not to retaliate against those who do evil. These essays show the impact of Jesus' teaching throughout the New Testament. Several essays also explore the relation of these commands to Hebrew scripture.

The Bible appears to give mixed and even conflicting signals on the four case issues of slavery, Sabbath, war, and women. New Testament scholar Willard Swartley seeks to identify the difficulties surrounding these discussions and clarify basic learnings in biblical interperation in a spirit of unity and dialogue. As a predecessor to his 2003 publication, Homosexuality, this book rounds out a thorough spirit-filled discussion of some of the most contentious and sensitive issues facing the church today. 368 Pages.