Characters and Characterization in the Gospel of John

This volume examines characters in the Fourth Gospel and provides an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods. Divided into two sections, the book first considers method and theory, followed by exegetical character studies using a literary or reader-oriented method. It summarizes the state of the discussion, examines obstacles to arriving at a comprehensive theory of character in the Fourth Gospel, compares different approaches, and compiles the diverse methodologies into one comparative study. Through this detailed exegesis, the various theories will come alive, and the merits (or deficiencies) of each approach will be available to the reader. This volume is both a comprehensive study in narrative/reader-oriented theories, and a study in the application of those theories as they apply to characterization. Summing up current research on characters and characterization in the Fourth Gospel, this book also provides a comprehensive presentation of different approaches to character that have developed in recent years.

Christopher W. Skinner is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Mount Olive College in North Carolina, USA.

Introduction / Section I: Johannine Characterization: Studies in Method / Chapter 1: Character and Characterization in Johannine Studies Christopher W. Skinner / Chapter 2: An Essay exploring where Johannine character studies have gone since his Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design was published and an exposition of how he would address character and characterization if he were writing 'Anatomy' today R. Alan Culpepper / Chapter 3: Exploring the theory of representative characters in the Fourth Gospel and its implications for understanding Johannine characterization Raymond F. Collins / Chapter 4: The presence of ambiguity in the Fourth Gospel Susan Hylen / Chapter 5: Discussing Richard Bauckham's theory of the Fourth Gospel characters as eyewitnesses and its implications Edward "Mickey" Klink / Chapter 6: A response to weaknesses in Bauckham's eyewitness theory alongside important issues in Johannine characterization Judy Redman / Chapter 7: James L. Resseguie - tbc / Chapter 8: Misunderstanding as the interpretive key to understanding the characters of the Fourth Gospel Christopher W. Skinner / Chapter 9: Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Character in the Fourth Gospel Cornelis Bennema / Section II: Johannine Character Studies / Chapter 10: Francis J. Moloney - tbc / Chapter 11: Minor Characters in the Fourth Gospel David Beck / Chapter 12: An Exploration of several symbolic characters in the Fourth Gospel Craig Koester / Chapter 13: A Character Study of Pilate Cornelis Bennema / Chapter 14: A Study of Mary and Martha in the Fourth Gospel with comparison to Luke's version Dorothy Lee / Chapter 15: An Examination of the Place of God as character in the Fourth Gospel Stan Harstine / Mary Coloe - tbc / Conclusion: Christopher W. Skinner