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revbeckett's review
4.0
Overall, much like his other book ‘Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel,’ this book has its enlightening moments. He rehashes the symbolisms that appear throughout John’s Gospel and is essentially just a shorter version of the other book. The main difference between the two is that here, Koester erroneously believes the Gospel of John presents Jesus’ crucifixion not as a sacrifice for sin but as a deliverance from death (p. 113). While the latter is certainly there, the former is not entirely absent as he believes. As Charles Gieschen writes in Concordia Theological Quarterly 70, no 3 (Jul 2008), “a careful reading of the Gospel” will present the atonement, and “is taught implicitly through allusion” (p. 245). We see such allusions in John 1:29 (cf. Isaiah 53:7); 6:51; 15:22; and 16:8. Koester ignores these strong allusions and simply assumes the atonement in John’s Gospel is non-existent.
With that caveat aside, Koester does adequately note that the events of Jesus’ crucifixion is the result of human sin, which is not limited to one group or the other (Jews vs. Gentiles); both are culpable for the death of Jesus. While specific people are at fault for Jesus’ death (the Jews for condemning Him for blasphemy and the Gentiles for fear of Caesar being overthrown), Koester rightly acknowledges that both groups are representative of all humanity being culpable for Jesus’ death regardless of one’s religious or ethnic background. Both “political dynamics manifest an underlying theological reality, which is the power of sin” (Koester, 71). Both reject Christ as King—the Jews reject Him as Yahweh their King, and the Gentiles reject Him as King of the cosmos and the earth. Both represent unbelief and its consequences. Overall, if you want a less dense version than his other book, I recommend you read this one with the caveat of his view on the atonement in mind.
With that caveat aside, Koester does adequately note that the events of Jesus’ crucifixion is the result of human sin, which is not limited to one group or the other (Jews vs. Gentiles); both are culpable for the death of Jesus. While specific people are at fault for Jesus’ death (the Jews for condemning Him for blasphemy and the Gentiles for fear of Caesar being overthrown), Koester rightly acknowledges that both groups are representative of all humanity being culpable for Jesus’ death regardless of one’s religious or ethnic background. Both “political dynamics manifest an underlying theological reality, which is the power of sin” (Koester, 71). Both reject Christ as King—the Jews reject Him as Yahweh their King, and the Gentiles reject Him as King of the cosmos and the earth. Both represent unbelief and its consequences. Overall, if you want a less dense version than his other book, I recommend you read this one with the caveat of his view on the atonement in mind.
tanjalunney's review
4.0
Pretty dry in some spots. However, if you can get past the monotone, this book has the ability to grow closer to God through the book of John. I learned so much! I could read this again and learn some more.
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