Judith M. Lieu 1st edit/1 print I II & III John A Commentary 2008 [Hardcover] Lieu, Judith M. [Hardcover] Lieu, Judith M.

by Judith M. Lieu

This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection

Genres: Christianity

Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

Reviews

[Dominic Venuso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for thinking beyond some of the standard evangelical commentaries. Generally, Judith sometimes over connects to Jewish and Greco-Roman writer and undervalues overlapping thought in John's other writings. She also reads the books with very little reference to "those who went out" and their potential theology, preferring to read the books primarily in terms of what the text itself says. While I often differ from her approach in these regards, her approach provides fresh thinking and helps me to examine and criticize my own assumptions. Beyond these semi-criticisms, she has clear thinking and helpful comments throughout.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary in the New Testament Library (NTL) series published by WJK on the Epistles of John has been written by Judith Lieu who had worked previously on these epistles. As is common with this series, she writes from the critical angle. Not only is her work better than most from that viewpoint, but she pushes back against some of the critical conclusions of the past few decades that were, quite frankly, from left field. In this book, then, you will not only get the theological pointers that this series is known for but also more plausible critical conclusions.

The Introduction is also more in-depth than several that I have reviewed in this series. The Introduction begins with a look at the acceptance and interrelation between the three epistles of John. The next section discusses the setting and looks at author, audience, and situation. She sees more uncertainties than I do, but still finds ways in which these three epistles clearly go together. The next section looks at the structure, background, and the thought of the letters. That will include a look at argument and style, Johannine tradition, and an in-depth look at the thought of the letters. From there, we find a review of reception and text, the overall importance of the letter and a concluding brief section on translation and language.

In the commentary proper, we find good coverage in line with this type series of the three epistles amounting to over 250 pages of discussion. The same critical assumptions found in the introduction are present here, but it is, without doubt, one of the more thoughtful and clear critical presentations. A solid effort!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judith M. Lieu is Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge in England. Lieu is the current President of the Society of New Testament Studies, as well as the University Gender Equality Champion with special responsibility for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Lieu is the author of numerous books and the Editor of the journal of New Testament Studies.

I, II, & III John: A Commentary is a classic example of the New Testament Library series. The commentary begins with an introduction that covers all three Johannine Epistles and tackles the standard introductory matters with clarity. Lieu is well aligned with the current critical consensus concerning the date and authorship of the epistles, and thus concludes no compositional relationship with the author of the Fourth Gospel.

The commentary proper stands in the top rank of critical commentaries on the Johannine Epistles. Lieu is judicious in her interaction with the text and appears to be well-acquainted with the peripheral issues. Two features deserve mention here. First and foremost, like the other volumes in the NTL series, Lieu provides the reader with an original translation and textual notes. I have stated this many times before and I will state it again, I have continually found this to be one of the most helpful features of the NTL series, and Lieu does not disappoint. Second, the exegetical handling of the text is brief, pointed, and full (336 pp.). Lieu demonstrates a keen awareness of the theological issues and firmly ground them in the text of the Johannine epistles. That said, more discussion surrounding textual issues would have been welcomed.

There is no shortage in sight when it comes to choosing a commentary on the Johannine Epistles, and I, II, & III John: A Commentary by Judith M. Lieu is an option well worth discovering. Lieu is both clear and to-the-point in her exegesis, and her presentation is helpfully critical in an approach will compliment other available options. While I don’t see this volume superseding Marshall (1978), Smalley (1984), or Kruse (2000) in usefulness, I do see it being positioned as one of the better, more recent examinations of the Johannine Epistles from a critical perspective.
It comes highly recommended!

[John Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judith Lieu has written an excellent commentary on letters of the Bible that are often overlooked. Lieu is not romantic about these letters, either, which is good because many commentators do fall into romance concerning 1 John in particular. Lieu also pays close attention not only to Hellenistic influences, which are clear, but a great number of Jewish influences, too, which are definitely not clear. I really like the letters of John (at least 1 and 2) and have formed a number of my own opinions about them, but Lieu deftly challenges a number of common conventions about the letters, particularly the relationship among the letters and also with the Gospel of John.

Lay people may find the commentary a bit overwhelming because some of the terms concerning the Greek language aren't fully explained. It's also very long considering how long the letters are. It's worth the effort, though.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a contrarian! Refuses to make exegetical decisions unless the evidence is overwhelming.