In this challenging book, rising New Testament scholar Simon Gathercole contradicts a commonly held view among biblical scholars -- that the Gospel of John is the only Gospel to give evidence for Jesus' heavenly identity and preexistence. The Preexistent Son demonstrates that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were also well aware that the Son of God existed with the Father prior to his earthly ministry. Gathercole supports his argument by considering the I have come sayings of Jesus and strikingly similar angelic sayings discovered in Second Temple and Rabbinic literature. Further, he considers related topics such as Wisdom Christology and the titles applied to Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels.

Gathercole's carefully researched work should spark debate among Synoptic scholars and extend the understanding of anyone interested in this New Testament question.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 10/05/2006
ISBN: 9780802829016
Pages: 344
Weight: 1.14lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.40w x 0.94d

Review Citations: Books & Culture 07/01/2007 pg. 16