The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus: Modern Foundations Reconsidered

Review 'This extremely interesting and instructive work creates a middle path between the harmonization and distortion of historicity in John. It deserves attention! The author lays open the aporias (perplexities) in the Johannine text and then proposes workable solutions for the furthering of Johannine exegesis. I warmly recommend this book.' (Martin Hengel, the University of Tübingen)'A careful, thorough and fair presentation and evaluation of the range of views, with a nuanced critical approach and balanced conclusions that are sure to invite much rethinking of traditional paradigms.' Craig Keener, Eastern Seminary, USA (Craig Keener, Eastern Seminary, USA) 'This volume challenges biblical scholars to rethink the foundations of much of our study. It will, I believe, make readers assess their own methods and stimulate new discussions of John and the quest for Jesus.' (Robert Kysar, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching and New Testament, Emory University) 'Paul Anderson has in his masterful The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus traced the history of the Gospel of John ever since its getting kicked upstairs as the "spiritual gospel" by the early church down to its elimination from the quest of the historical Jesus in modern times; he then reassesses what role John might in fact play in learning more about the historical Jesus.' (James M. Robinson, Professor Emeritus, Claremont Graduate School of Theology)Reviewed by Paul Foster, Expository Times, 01/08/07 (Paul Foster Expository Times)"Paul Anderson's Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus clearly enters a dialogue betweengospel studies and historical Jesus studies that is critically entrenched and opinionated. Anderson is well aware of the battle lines and carefully navigates between them, not ignoring them, and is able to cordially offer a better way. This reviewer thinks he does this well. There is much to appreciate in his approach. He clearly wants to participate in the discussion, a long-standing discussion, and help bring together distinct aspects of the same dialogue. In a way, Anderson has come to the rescue of an undersog who is being bullied and outnumbered three-to-one." - RBL (Rbl)"As historical Jesus studies continue on to new heights, Paul Anderson calls attention to the omission of the Gospel of John and the over reliance on the Synoptic Gospels in this line of research. The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus is well-written and has a clear structure. The text will familiarize the reader with the history of scholarship on the gospel and provide and nuanced approach to the historicity of John that will prove useful as historical Jesus studies continue" Mark Lee Genter, TBR (Mark Lee Genter Theological Book Review)"...Anderson has offered an interesting volume which includes many valuable insights and a welcome challenge to the critical consensus in John-Synoptic studies. At many points, the book rightly exposes the manner in which much critical scholarship can become so entrenched in its own orthodoxy that it fails to consider other alternatives that are on the table...this volume makes a positive contribution to the areas of John-Synoptic studies and should be read by all those interested in joining the dialogue." —Michael J. Kruger, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, March 2008 (Michael J. Kruger)Reviewed in International Review of Biblical Studies, 2007.'The conclusions are [...] broadly persuasive.' Theological Book Review, Volume 20, No 2, 2008 Product Description This book engages critically one of the most pervasive sets of assumptions within modern biblical studies: namely, that because John is theological and different from the Synoptics, it cannot be historical - nor does it contribute anything of substance to the quest for the historical Jesus. Part I develops a brief history of the debate. Part II assesses critically the strengths and weaknesses of six planks comprising the foundation for two major platforms. The