Life in the Son: Exploring participation and union with Christ in John’s Gospel and letters

New Studies in Biblical Theology #61

by Clive Bowsher

The New Testament writers use spatial language and imagery to portray our relationship with God, speaking both about God or Christ in us, and us in them. Believers are also described as possessing and participating in divine qualities such as life and glory. Both aspects are prominent in John’s Gospel and letters. However, outside the Pauline writings, union with Christ has hardly been addressed in New Testament scholarship. Dr. Clive Bowsher seeks to redress this balance in Life in the Son.

In John’s Gospel, the oneness of the Father and Son is described as the Father and Son being ‘in-one-another.’ Clive Bowsher's study shows that union with Christ in John’s Gospel and letters is the in-one-another relationship of believers with the Father and Son by the Spirit – the intimate, loving, relational participation of the believer and God, each in the life, affections, ways and work of the other. Insightful and accessible, Bowsher's study also explores connections with the shape of sonship, and with covenant and the life of the age to come. This[CB1] new volume in the NSBT series fills a significant gap in the literature and promises to be a blessing to pastors, preachers and scholars alike.

Genres: Christian

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2023

About the author

Bowsher is provost of Union School of Theology, where he teaches and researches in New Testament and Biblical Theology. Previously, he served as lead minister of a local church and co-mentored Union's Learning Community in Oxford, UK. He has held positions at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Bristol.

Reviews

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable NSBT, on the vital theme of participation, in the (less explored than the Pauline Epistles) Letters and Gospel of John.

[Carsten Kates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Participation in Christ - so cool. This book showed me how swag money it is😎 however… this book is very repetitive…

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good work of exegetical theology. Bowsher demonstrates that, for John, to be in Christ is to participate in the in-one-anotherness between the Father-Son and fellow Christians. It is to participate in Christ's character and mission. It simply is the "loving, intimate, relational participation of the believer and God, each in the life, affections, ways and work of the other" (148). An ending appendix suggests the overlap between Paul's notion of union with Christ and John's. Though only a few pages long, Bowsher (rightly) argues that Paul and John's theological sensibilities track along similar lines, especially in how the life of the age to come undergirds their notions of union. A fine contribution to an outstanding series!

[Jacob Wigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a much needed and meaningful contribution towards developing a better understanding of Participatio Christi in the Johnnanine tradition. Scholarship has focused on the theme of participation in the Pauline corpus in such a way that has left the Johnnanine tradition in the backdrop. Bowsher here takes an exegetical-theological approach to bringing John's gospel and epistles back into the conversation. And for anyone who appreciates signposting, as I do, the author is consistent in clarifying exactly what he seeks to achieve in each chapter, and how it contributes to the wider message and context of the book.

[Jonathan Ginn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A careful, exegetically-based study of the doctrine of union with Christ within Johanine literature. Overall, however, I found the book to be a little dry and repetitive, and not quite as insightful as I had hoped for. The fifth chapter was probably my favorite.

[Eric Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. In recent years, the retrieval and recovery of the doctrine of union with Christ as the architectonic piece of soteriology has gained traction, specifically in Pauline theology and especially within Reformed scholarship but also outside of it. Dr Bowsher does the church an excellent service by embarking on the theological study of union with Christ within the Johannine corpus, which has been somewhat neglected as compared to its Pauline counterpart.

Firstly, Bowsher does an excellent job of setting the scene by drawing on the pertinent theological works that are relevant to the Johaninnie union: Constantine Campbell's extensive exegetical work on Pauline union (read this a couple of years back); Richard Buackham's thematic study on John's Gospel; Grant Macaskill's work on the theological and exegetical study of union with Christ within the New Testament as a whole; Michael Gorman's work on participation with Christ in John's Gospel; Pascal-Marie Jerumanis' eternal life in John's Gospel as participation in Christ, and so on.

Following this, the bulk of Bowsher's work goes into the exegetical exploration of passages such as John 6, 13-17, and the Johannine epistles. He first works on the Johannine Gospel and Epistles interdependently, before bringing them together for theological synthesis. Two theological themes emerged as the twin motif of Johannine union: participation in the life of Christ as eternal-eschatological life that is coextensive with faith in Christ, being born of the Spirit and fellowship within the Father-Son relationship; and participation in the journey of Jesus, that is, in Jesus' sending, living, rejection by the world, suffering, resurrection and mission. Here Bowsher draws parallels with the positional (justification) and transformational (sanctification) aspects that are found often within Pauline soteriology and binds them together by concluding that the Johannine union is ultimately relational (being born of God and therefore living in relation to God). Hence, Bowsher posits that "participation" is a better nomenclature for the Johannine union, because as Pauline union often denotes "one-ness," participation within the Johannine corpus seems to suggest "in-one-anotherness, and therefore Johannine participation is characterized by the loving relational intimacy between the children of God and the Father-Son fellowship. After that, Bowsher also attempted to synthesise his study of Johannine's participation with the historic dogmas of theosis (eastern orthodoxy), filiation (doctrine of adoption) and covenant theology. I have personally found Bowsher's synthesis of Johannine's participation with covenant theology really fruitful, citing Michael Horton "union with Christ and the covenant of grace are not simply related themes, but are different ways of talking about one and the same reality." Both covenant theology in the OT and Johannine's participation culminate and climax in the goal of eschatological life. Additionally, the Reformed tradition has conceived of Pauline union with Christ as threefold: predestinarian, redemptive-historical, and existential. Bowsher's study on Johannine's participation which yields both positional and transformation aspects seem to correlate and overlap, though not entirely, with the redemptive-historical (participation with Jesus' journey) and existential aspects (participation in eschatological life). David Garner's work on adoption as the architectonic piece of Pauline soteriology seems to correlate perfectly with Bowsher's conclusion that Johannine's participation is ultimately relational: it is that "in-one-anotherness," loving intimacy that binds the children of God in fellowship and participation with the Father and the Son.

Bowsher's study on Johannine's participation is definitely a great contribution to New Testament soteriology as a whole. Minimally, it revealed greater canon unity between John and Paul, between the Gospels and the Epistles and postulate a more profound, intricate and unified theological motif of NT soteriology that is centred upon participation and union with Christ. Bowsher's exegetical work is sublime, and I have especially enjoyed how Bowsher, building on other Johannine scholars, delineates the Christian participation in Jesus' journey through the entire Gospel. However, I find some of his theological synthesis lacking or somewhat underwhelming (I can only give this book a 3.5 stars/5 top). Firstly, even though Bowsher attempts to synthesise Johannine's participation with theosis and filiation, his theological workings are lacking. On theosis, there were barely two pages to delineate what theosis exactly is, and how the multifaceted works of the Greek Fathers conceived of this historic dogma; on filiation, Bowsher mentions the doctrine of adoption in passing, but theologians (such as Tim Trumper) has often pointed out and debated the relationship between filiation in Johannine corpus and filiation in Pauline, and delineated "being born of God" in Johannine as "regeneration" and not "adoption," which is found in Paul. Bowsher skipped over this issue entirely and assumed filiation in both John and Paul as synonymous (I think the word "regeneration" is never mentioned at all!). Thirdly, there is only a light attempt to define and translate "monegenes" within this study, and I am left wondering how Bowsher relates children of God as being begotten by God and Jesus' unique eternal generation, and I am cautious to make this relationship symmetrical without first making exegetical and theological distinctions. Finally, on a point of writing style that also contributes to the theological synthesis, Bowsher seems to belabour his points a fair bit and repetitively restates his conclusions, and I also find the distinction between "oneness" and "in-one-anotherness" unnecessarily repetitious, and at most, confusing, because he seems to use "union" and "participation" sometimes interchangeably, and other times use one term to define or clarify the another. It would have been helpful if Bowsher had stated his definition of participation vs union upfront, and committed to the theological shorthand rather than excessively distinct between "in-one-anotherness" and "oneness" across this book. Overall, a really good contribution of exegetical work to Johannine studies and NT theology-soteriology, but many areas could be strengthened.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of the idea of “in one another” participation in the Johannine literature.

The idea of union, oneness, of participation in Christ has been a significant discussion in Pauline studies. In this monograph, Clive Bowsher explores this same idea in the Johannine literature, particularly in the various references to God, Christ, and believers being “in one another.” After setting out the current discussions and his approach, Bowsher exegetes the relevant passages first in the gospel of John and then in 1 John. His approach is to focus on what each says individually rather than reading them in light of each other. Then he takes the findings from each study and synthesizes them, finding similar themes in both the gospel and the letter.

He then considers the journey theme in the gospel of John and the letters and traces our participation with Christ in that journey: begotten–walking–suffering and laying down life–resurrection–going to the Father. Following this, Bowsher considers “one anotherness” in the eschatological culmination of the covenant: life everlasting in the age to come. Finally, he pulls together the Johannine theology of participation from these various approaches. There are several salient ideas running through the Johannine literature:

Union with Christ or oneness is expressed in terms of the one-anotherness of the Father, Son, and believers.

That in-one-anotherness is evident in intimate loving relationship and loving obedience.

This union is closely correlated with the life of the age to come.

The propitiatory work of God in Christ and his resurrection is the source of this union.

Union in Christ means sharing in his missional journey from commencement to walking to destination, sharing in proclaiming his words, his suffering, sacrificial laying down of one’s life, and resurrection.

In appendices, Bowsher briefly interacts with the Pauline idea of union and of oneness and participation in Revelation. He also offers an original language analysis of John 14:15-24 and the “Hortatory-imperatival use of the third-person indicative in New Testament Greek outside 1 John.”

If I were to make one quibble, it would be that the structure of the study results in the repetition of the same ideas or slight variations of them through much of the work. The shared journey part of the study is the one place where this is less the case. What Bowsher does do is elucidate a Johannine perspective of participation that, while consonant with Paul, uniquely emphasizes loving relationship and the close connection between being in that relationship and having entered into the reality of the life of the age to come. This work, as part of a renewal of Johannine studies, is a welcome complement to the extensive Pauline literature, not least on union or participation with Christ.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Whether he’s teasing out or trumpeting loudly, Clive Bowsher makes John’s take on participation or union with Christ come alive. So successful is his presentation that at its end you find it as essential to the overarching understanding of Christianity. How were we not always talking about it? Why was John shelved while Paul was paraded when they should have been walking the streets of our minds arm in arm?

As much as I love this series, and it is a treasure, I wonder if this volume had better been served in a more popular setting. Unfortunately, mostly theological junkies read this series (count me in that peculiar group) and the subject here needs a larger circle. For the record, many Christians could markedly grow were they to read this series, yet platitudes and self-confidence growth hormones are the trending proclivities of palettes today.

Mr. Bowsher knew who would read this book too. That, strangely enough, is my only criticism of the book, though it is an exceedingly minor one. At times, it seemed that Mr. Bowsher wrote for Mr. D.A. Carson instead of me. Or maybe those grading his dissertation. Still, that was only a little speed bump on the way to the goodies.

I’m not going to rehash this book as you just need to read it. When you do, settle in and enjoy the ride to learning the phrase “in-one-another”. Watch him connect the idea to the interrelatedness of our Triune God. Then watch yourself brought into it. The vistas on that scenic route will take your breath away if you’ll use the pull-offs and take the long look.

On the technical side, he will work in turn through key passages in both John’s Gospel and his First Epistle to carefully construct his premise. All the necessary undergirding, too, is there and built soundly.

I guess I don’t have to summarize that I highly recommend this book as surely you intuited that already.

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.

[Caleb Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful, yet somewhat thin contribution to the concept of union with Christ in John's Gospel and letters. Bowsher rightly sees union with Christ (what he calls "in-one-anotherness") as coextensive with eternal life (what he calls "life in the age to come"). Furthermore, he is correct to see union with Christ as being an important theological topic in John's Gospel and letters. However, there are times when his use of union and participation language can be confusing, either because he uses it interchangeably or he doesn't define it clearly. Also, he belabors his conclusions to the point where it is not helpful, leaving the reader confused as to how it helps to develop his argument. Lastly, I think he overlooked an important topic when discussing union with Christ, namely, the type of union that unites us to Christ. Is it vital, forensic, mystic, participatory? In what way does the Spirit unite us to the resurrected and ascended Christ, to where the life that we live now is one that is reflective of the life in the age to come? This work, despite its shortcomings, displays the need for ongoing conversations and research regarding union with Christ in the NT, outside of the Pauline epistles.

[Kevin Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bowers clarified and sharpened my thinking greatly in many areas regarding union with Christ being a trinitarian relationship. He included quite a number of helpful insights. Unfortunately, his writing style detracted from his argument. He was redundant at times and overly academic to start, and he employed numerous writing techniques I try to weed out of my students (“In conclusion…” or “I have now argued…”). Still, I learned from his content.

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to a wonderful series.

Much has been written and taught on the concept of union with Christ in the writings of Paul. Not so much on Johns understanding.

This book is a comprehensive survey of the Gospel of John and the epistles (and Revelation) on the subject.

It is compelling and heart warming. Bowshers theology is both deep and practical.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot has been written about union with Christ in Paul’s letters. Far less has been written about this theme in John’s gospel and letters. But thankfully, Clive Bowsher has stepped into this John-shaped hole with a careful, methodical exploration of the in-one-another relationship we have with Jesus in John’s writings.
Full reflections: https://adamthomas.substack.com/p/lif...

[Tyler Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource and exegetical commentary of John’s gospel and letters.

Bowsher does an immaculate job of providing an exegetical perspective on the doctrine of Union with Christ, using rigorous Greek scholarship to show that baked within the NT is a rich understanding of participation and the implications for believers life.

[Ben Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

The theme is wonderful, the writing style made it a very difficult read. Not accessible.

[Will Cunningham-Batt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a 5 star thesis hidden away in this book, but the writing is so stodgy that it is hard to locate at times, let alone rejoice in. Overall, worth a read but tough going.