John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries

I love Karoline Lewis. She knows the Gospel of John so well, that she explains how an individual story (or 2) is criticall for understanding the bigger picture of Jesus through the POV of the beloved disciple. Abiding, which is used throughout the Gospel, is critical to understanding belonging, which is the title of her newest book (It's fabulous too). Ex.pg. 151 re: raising of Lazarus: "This is not a resuscitation but a full-blown resurrection." Brilliant. You will come to see the Woman at the Well passage in a complete different light. Every pastor (and lay person) should have this in their library. 🔥 🔥 🔥

Karoline Lewis emphasizes the literary unity of John's Gospel, woven together by its themes, motifs, phrases, words and symbols. This is helpful for grasping the major apologetic arguments that the author is making. She endeavors to approach the text with an entire sympathy of the author's viewpoint, which (I think) helps to clarify what he is trying to say. I also appreciated her desire to raise questions of personal faith in Christ, just as the author of John does throughout his gospel. My main criticism of this book is its style. Given that the primary audience of readers is pastors, I think that Dr. Lewis' otherwise good and informative book might have had a greater impact, had she tried much harder to use ordinary language or perhaps submitted her drafts to some major stylistic revisions: to improve the organization of her ideas in the early chapters, to enhance the clarity of her assertions, and to minimize the use of pretentious wording/vocabulary, where plainer language would have served her purpose just as well and made reading her work more pleasurable.

This was a breakthrough book for me. I am an Episcopal Priest that preaches a sermon every Sunday. I used to dread when the Gospel of John came up on the lectionary first preaching.Then I went to a clergy day hosted by my diocese and met Dr. Lewis. She is a Gospel of John game changer.Her commentary, which I read cover to cover (not my usual practice with a Biblical Commentary) starts with the most fascinating premise I’ve read in a while. She posits “theological themes” in John, 7 or 8 clear theological themes that are created in the Prologue of John and feed the rest of the narrative, virtually every verse that follows John 1:1-21.It’s made preaching John enjoyable and even fun, and Bible study Wednesday night has taken a whole new energy. This Commentary will inform, aid and open your mind to a deeper meaning of John.

This is my favorite commentary on the gospel of John. Lewis helps connect all the themes in a way that opens up new approaches to John. I preach the narrative lectionary, so this commentary helped me open the gospel to my flock in fuller ways.

As a preacher following the Narrative Lectionary, I found Lewis’ approach to the gospel to be so clear and compelling.

The Gospel of John is a unique book in the Bible. It tells the story of Jesus very differently from the Synoptics, which essentially define the the three-year lectionary cycle. In Karoline Lewis' hands the Gospel of John comes alive. The series itself is designed for preachers, but I'm using it as a foundation for a Bible study, and it has proven invaluable.

Met Karoline at a conference where she talked about this commentary. She was very engaging and you could tell that she hadn't simply written a book. Her study of John and history are quite thorough. Her writing is easy to read and understand. I have not finished yet but can't wait to be preaching on John with the help of her book.

I very much appreciate Karoline's insights into the gospel of John. Her writing style draws one into the story that is uniquely John's. Her perspective is very helpful as a pastor studies and prepares for preaching. With the variety of ways to access commentaries, this is a purchase which I highly recommend. I have the print and Kindle versions.