Characterizing Jesus
Book Description
In the Gospel of John, every reference to ancient Scripture serves a deeper purpose than many readers realize. Alicia D. Myers reveals how the Fourth Gospel strategically weaves biblical quotations, allusions, and references throughout its narrative to create a compelling portrait of Jesus that would have resonated powerfully with ancient Mediterranean audiences.
Drawing on the sophisticated rhetorical practices of the Greco-Roman world, Myers demonstrates how the Gospel writer employed specific techniques of characterization and persuasion to present Jesus as the fulfillment of scriptural promises. Through careful literary analysis, she shows how these ancient storytelling methods transform scattered biblical references into a cohesive argument about Jesus' identity and significance.
The study begins with an exploration of how ancient writers crafted characters and told stories, then examines the famous Johannine prologue before diving into detailed analysis of how Scripture appears both within Jesus' teachings and in the broader narrative. Rather than viewing these biblical references as mere proof texts, Myers reveals them as integral elements of a carefully constructed literary work.
For readers seeking to understand how the Gospels were crafted and how ancient audiences would have received these texts, this scholarly yet accessible work offers fresh insights into the artistry behind one of Christianity's most beloved books. The analysis illuminates both the Gospel's literary sophistication and its spiritual depth.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 242 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Socio-rhetorical criticism
- ✓ Explore Bibeln
- ✓ Explore Narrative Criticism
- ✓ Explore Bibel
- ✓ Explore Rezeption
- ✓ Explore Altes Testament
- ✓ Explore Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t. gospels
