The last generation of gospel scholarship has considered the reconstruction and analysis of the audience behind the gospels as paradigmatic. The key hermeneutical template for reading the gospels has been the quest for the community that each gospel represents. This scholarly consensus regarding the audience of the gospels has been reconsidered. Using as a test case one of the most entrenched gospels, Edward Klink explores the evidence for the audience behind the Gospel of John. This study challenges the prevailing gospel paradigm by examining the community construct and its functional potential in early Christianity, the appropriation of a gospel text and J. L. Martyn's two-level reading of John, and the implied reader located within the narrative. The study concludes by proposing a more appropriate audience model for reading John, as well as some implications for the function of the gospel in early Christianity.

Klink challenges a scholarly consensus concerning the audience and origin of the Gospel of John.

About the Author
Edward W. Klink III is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

Reviews
Review of the hardback: 'This splendid volume is an important contribution to the new discussion of the audiences of the New Testament Gospels, and the first lengthy treatment of the audience of the Fourth Gospel from the vantage point of that discussion.' Biblica



Book Information
ISBN 9780521875820
Author Edward W. Klink III
Format Hardback
Page Count 334
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 570g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 145mm * 27mm