Truth on Trial: The Lawsuit Motif in the Fourth Gospel

Product Description Religious truth has always been in dispute, but there are certain times and places in which the debate has been more intense. One such period was the first century CE, when the rapid spread of Christianity with its claims about Jesus produced considerable ferment. The Gospel of John, written late in that century, presents that dispute with greater clarity than any other document of the time. John presents a Jesus who claims not only to tell the truth but also to be the truth. And yet, as the Roman magistrate asks Jesus in John’s gospel, what is truth? Two millennia later in the Western world, pluralism and postmodernism radically challenge traditional notions of truth. Is there any truth beyond the formal logic of merely analytical propositions? And if there is, do humans have any way of knowing it? Many who have a postmodern perspective deny that either rationality or imagination can give us access to the truth. Instead they adopt a throughgoing incredulity toward metanarratives. Truth is again on trial. Review "Scholars have long recognized John's use of the lawsuit motif, but to date there has been no definitive study of this motif. Lincoln has now filled that void. Truth on Trial is a masterfully comprehensive and perceptive work, leading the reader into the Isaianic background of the lawsuit motif, its development in the Gospel narrative, its social and theological significance, and its implications for contemporary hermeneutics. More than just the study of a motif, readers will discover here a demonstration of the adage that to do anything well one must do everything. Lincoln starts with a motif and ends up interpreting the Gospel." --R. Alan Culpepper, Dean, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University "Andrew Lincoln's Truth on Trial provides richly textured readings of the lawsuit motif in John as well as a series of thoughtful and profound theological reflections. This volume reflects Lincoln's thorough immersion in Johannine studies as well as his broad understanding of contemporary hermeneutical and theological issues. He never glosses over tough questions. Rather, his patient, clear prose leads readers to a deeper engagement with matters concerning witness, testimony, confession, and truth. All Christian thinkers will benefit from wrestling with Truth on Trial." --Stephen Fowl, Professor of Theology, Loyola College in Maryland "In Truth on Trial, Andrew Lincoln deftly combines literary, historical, and theological approaches in a masterful and wide-ranging study of the lawsuit motif in the Gospel of John. Reading the Fourth Gospel against the backdrop of the lawsuits between God and Israel and God and the nations in Isaiah, the author freshly illumines John's reading of the Scriptures and repeatedly sheds new light on the Gospel's narrative and structure, theological world of thought, and historical context. Few recent studies on John can match the breadth and depth of insight with which Lincoln carries through his project." --Marianne Meye Thompson, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary About the Author The editors teach and research in the School of Humanities and the Centre for the Study of the Bible and Spirituality at the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK. Andrew Lincoln is Portland Professor of New Testament. Gordon McConville is Professor of Old Testament Theology. Lloyd Pietersen is Senior Lecturer in New Testament.