Characters and Characterization in the Gospel of John

by Christopher W. Skinner (Editor)

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.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Dr. Christopher W. Skinner is Professor of New Testament/Early Christianity at Loyola University Chicago. He holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from the Catholic University of America (2008). He previously taught at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore Maryland (2005-2010), and Mount Olive College in North Carolina (2010-2016) where he was the 2013-2014 Professor of the Year. He has also taught at East Carolina University (2014-2015) and Loyola University Maryland (2008-2009). In addition to publishing nearly three dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, he has authored or edited eleven books. His work explores the intersection of literary and historical questions in the narratives about Jesus both within and outside the New Testament.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skinner writes a clear and concise introduction to the scholarship done on Characterization in the last three decades, with an emphasis on the study of characters in the fourth gospel. Of particular interest to me was the article by Mary Coloe, "The Woman of Samaria." Coloe does a brilliant job of evaluating the character of the SW, not just how it fits into the pericope, but how her character fits into the narrative of John and that of Jesus' earthly ministry. This book will stay close at hand for reference- particularly for Coloe's evaluation of parallels to the story of Jacob and Rachel, and how that story would be part of the perception of the narrative by original readers of the fourth gospel.