Becoming Children of God' offers a fresh and original commentary on the Gospel of John as a narrative inviting readers - both in the evangelist's time and our own - to a radical commitment to follow Jesus from within a spirit-filled community. This reading is grounded in a poetics of biblical narrative" that balances attention to historical, ideological, and aesthetic aspects of John's Gospel while highlighting its relevance for today. By committing himself to a close analysis of the text as symbolic action" Howard-Brook makes it clear how John's Gospel fairly bristles with references to societal conditions that demand a direct response. Throughout the commentary, his close attention to literary structure as well as social background yields new insights into the often-obscure message of the Fourth Gospel.

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Product Description: Wes Howard-Brook reads John's gospel as a call to radical discipleship, of Spirit over law and love over power of office. The author calls for courage to confront the powers of this world with the gospel's message of transformation and renewal in Christ. (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)