Wounded Lord: Reading John Through the Eyes of Thomas: A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Fourth Gospel

by Robert H. Smith, Donna Duensing (Editor)

John's gospel does not record "Thomas's doubt," as later generations of Christians have branded the story. Rather, John presents Thomas's faith. In this work, Robert H. Smith approaches Thomas as one who believes in the reality of God has a body. Too often, Smith argues, Christians read John's gospel for its lyrical discourses. The resulting portrait of Jesus is a "cross-less Christ," a portrait that contributes powerfully to Christian triumphalism. In contrast, Smith finds that the evangelist always has the cross in view. Smith reads John "backwards," through the eyes of Thomas. In so doing, he demonstrates the centrality of a wounded Lord in the theology of the gospel. But this book does not end with hermeneutics. Smith advances his discussion into the life of discipleship. Anyone dwelling in Christ's body will be similarly marked. What does it mean to live in the world as the marked body of Christ? Everyone who poses the question will want to read this book. Martha E. Stortz Professor of Historical Theology and Ethics Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/The Graduate Theological Union Berkeley, California

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[The_J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a little light on the John and heavy on the Thomas

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was going through a study of the Gospel of John and a friend recommended this book. An excellent commentary on this fourth Gospel of the New Testament. Very readable. If one desires to understand all the gospels this is the place to start . If we study John we see Jesus.