John: The Gospel of Light and Life (John series)

Adam Hamilton is approaching the Gospel of John in his typical manner. He finds the dominate themes he wants to speak to and uses a practical style to tie the facets together. At times he seems to swing into the margins, but only briefly. And he always comes back to the broader, middle path. When he treads the philosophical/theological depths, he brings a practical, real-life story to tie it together.

John is not an easy book to deal with. It is deeply theological. It also deviates from the other gospel narratives, causing some to question its role as a narrative. Hamilton doesn't try to answer any of these. Instead, he takes it in stride and works the difficulties of the Gospel into his interpretation.

The 3 star rating reflects only that I don't agree with his conclusions. Consider the rating a caution. If you are a Hamilton fan or follower, then you may give it a higher rating.

The Gospel of John is often given to new Christians to read because its central message is the divinity of Jesus Christ. It is often given to unbelievers for the same reason. Many have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior after reading John’s Gospel.

Adam Hamilton’s JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF LIGHT AND LIFE (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2016) is an exposition of the Gospel of John for both the Christian layperson in search of a better understanding of John’s Gospel and the non-Christian seeking to know more about the Christian faith and the person and work of Jesus Christ upon which that faith is built. It is not a commentary. It is not a ponderous scholarly study intended for the seminary student.

Because the book is about John’s Gospel and its central theme, “the identity and meaning of Jesus,” Hamilton includes the entire Gospel of John from the Common English Bible. Thus one can read the Gospel along with Hamilton’s guide to its major themes. The study is divided into six chapters, each of which is followed by a portion of the Gospel. Hamilton notes in his introduction that the book is suited for small group study. If used for a small group study, a DVD is available for purchase, as well as a paperback guide for the small group leader.

As fallen creatures we live in darkness until that darkness is pierced by the light of the Gospel. The light brings life both now and beyond physical death, for the darkness cannot overcome the light. The life of the believer is lived in the light that is the Word, the Word that was in the beginning, was with God, and was God. The born-again follower of Jesus Christ lives knowing, as Hamilton puts it, that “Death is just a period at the end of a sentence before a new sentence begins.”

Hamilton points out that John’s Gospel should not be read as though it were some sort of mini biography. The emphasis is on the “meaning—the spiritual significance” of the events in Jesus’ life and the words he spoke. It must be read at two levels, even allegorically at times.

On one level the account of the various miracles performed by Jesus are related in a straightforward manner. They tell us that water was turned into wine, that a blind man was made to see, or that a lame man was made to walk. On a deeper level they answer the questions that confront all of us: Who is this man Jesus? How does he affect my life? What is required of me? We are compelled to answer the question that Jesus asked of his disciples in Matthew 16:13-17: “But who do you say that I am?” It is the most important question that must and will be answered by every human being.

Here and there Hamilton points out interesting insights that otherwise might go unnoticed. One example is John’s mention that when Jesus was on the cross the soldiers “affixed a sponge to a hyssop branch, dipped it in sour wine, and raised it to his lips.” Why does John include that little detail?

In suggesting an answer, Hamilton calls our attention to Exodus 12:21b-22a, Leviticus 14, Numbers 19, and Psalm 51:7 to help us understand the important symbolism of the hyssop branch. When we read those Old Testament passages in light of John 19:28-30, we are reminded that the Bible from Genesis through Revelation is a book about Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. He is the “second Adam” who came to restore what was ruined by the first Adam.

In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (KJV). Later John reminds us that for the Christian living a more abundant life does not mean a life of idle contemplation. At the end of his Gospel John again quotes Jesus: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (20:21). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to serve, to witness, and yes, to suffer, always knowing that Jesus Christ stands on the other side of the Jordan with his arms open wide to welcome us home.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF LIGHT AND LIFE is the first book by Adam Hamilton that I have read. Having done, I will go on to read other titles by him.

I've read (and reviewed) several of Adam Hamilton's studies and I believe this is his first--published---study that is based solely on one book of the Bible. As with Hamilton's other studies, this is written for laypeople, not scholars. Each chapter addresses a theme or event and he provides the complete Gospel (Common English Bible) so that readers can make their own study notes in the margins. Topics covered include: miraculous signs recorded in John, the 'I AM' sayings, the "Farewell Discourse" (Jesus's teachings in the final days of his life on earth), and the crucifixion and resurrection.

For the purposes of reviewing the book, I read Hamilton's chapters only. They provide a general overview, some background and explanations, a few anecdotes, and a bit of life application. I didn't find anything that I hadn't read in other studies and I'm fairly certain that I would have gotten more out of the study had I followed his instructions and read the Gospel along with the chapters.

I recommend this study for someone who has never studied the Gospel of John, or who wants a thematic overview. Hamilton's writing is very down-to-earth, warm, and inspirational. He admits to only scratching the surface of John's Gospel, but there's plenty here to lead a reader into further study. Hamilton includes chapter notes and a bibliography for further reading.

Through various recommendations from the store, I've found some wonderful writers that I would not have looked at. Adam Hamilton is one of them. He's written quite a few books on faith but I honestly never heard of him until a few years ago and now, he's one of the pick-em-blind authors.

"John: The Gospel of Light and Life" keeps Hamilton's streak with me. There are other books where a gospel or book of the Bible is focused on and broken down in biteable sections. I've read some very good ones, but Hamilton's style of writing and explanation engages me. I'm not altogether fond of the Gospel of John. I've always seen it as the 'fluffy' gospel. Don't ask me. Maybe it is the over-familiarity as mentioned. After reading Hamilton's break down of the gospel of John, I am looking at it with fresh eyes. I like Hamilton's style of writing in that he assumes the reader is of a certain intelligence. He explains and invites; he gives historical background but also brings it to the present; and always, the biblical text is showcased. He keeps it interesting and engaging but he doesn't dumb it down either and I appreciate that.

I really enjoyed reading this gospel of John in the Common English Translation, which helps to make the subject matter less frustrating and more understandable/relatable. It was also nice to read this during the Lenten season.

The Common English Translation also made it easier for me to not have to spend time looking things up, thus impeding the flow of information.

In addition to providing the whole gospel, the author – Adam Hamilton – also provides anecdotal information and notes. This is a beautiful hardbound volume that will enhance any library and will give you a fuller understanding of Jesus from John's (and the author's) perspective.

Easy to read and not overwhelmed by too much esoteric scholarly commentary.

Recommend.

This book has the entire Common English Bible Gospel of John within its pages.
There are explanations for words that might not be familiar such as synoptic. A good introduction explains how John is different from other gospels and ends on the hopeful note of eternal life.
The author incorporates some personal thoughts and explanations to help in understanding.
The writing and ideas are straightforward and give an insight to John’s gospel.
For some the print might be too small and the footnotes even smaller, but still it is a nice book to meditate and contemplate over.

If you're looking for a magisterial commentary, you're in the wrong place. If you want a book that gives some introductory direction to the Gospel of John for laypersons this is a winner. Hamilton takes the critical issues seriously, but wants us to understand the meaning of John for our lives.

The book is designed to be used for either individual reading or group study. I'm planning to organize a study of the book, running at the same time I preach on John's themes. Highly recommended resource for the church

This is an excellent book to read in preparation for Easter. Each of the six chapters start with Hamilton's commentary, followed with the Biblical text. He shows how the book of John stands alone among the four gospels in that it's not biographical as are the other three. Rather it zeroes in on the person of Jesus and on his teachings.

If you want a deeper understanding of Christianity, whether or not you're a believer, this is certainly the book for you.

This book, like about everything Abingdon puts out with Adam Hamilton, is a stand alone book that is also a part of a DVD driven curriculum. This book was specifically designed to be marketed to churches during the Lenten Season. It simplifies the message of John while at the same time keeping up with the narrative flow of the book as a whole. A great way to do a survey of the Gospel of John, and to learn more about Jesus and who he is at the same time.

This book by Adam Hamilton provides a good overview of the Gospel of John. It is easy to read and while it is intended for group study, it works well for reading on your own.
Hamilton's style is straightforward and there are explanations throughout for words and passages that might need clarification.
This makes a nice gift, for someone else or yourself, for this Easter season.

This is a well written book which introduces the reader to the book of John. The writer, Adam Hamilton, is a successful author and pastor. His knowledge of the Bible is evident as he presents theological themes and his own opinions and insights into the book of John.