Meeting the Saviour
The glory of Jesus in the Gospel of John
Derek Tidball
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'Glory' is a key theme of the Gospel of John. In the very first chapter, he writes in awe: "we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only..."This book reflects on 26 key stories and teachings in John's Gospel, considering how they portray Jesus' time on earth as one long transfiguration that revealed the glory that is the signature of God in creation.
Dr Derek Tidball, Principal of the London School of Theology, invites each of us to meet the Saviour through the Gospel of John, and in doing so to catch a glimpse of his glory. View items in similar categories
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From: Church Times - March 2008
In Meeting the Saviour: The glory of Jesus in the Gospel of John, Derek Tidball takes 26 pages from John, and reflects on how Jesus revealed his glory, and what it means for us today. Each chapter ends with two related questions for readers to ponder.
From: The Baptist Times - 24 May 2007In 26 meditations from John's Gospel, Derek Tidball explores what is meant by the little phrase in the opening chapter of that Gospel, 'We have seen his glory...' (1:14). This theme of 'glory' runs like a golden thread throughout the Gospel and forms one of those integrative concepts, like 'light' and 'witness' that makes John's Gospel such a fascinating account of the 'good news'.
Each of the 26 passages that Derek Tidball chooses shines a different light on what it means to see Christ's glory. So we have the glory of the eternal word, the glory of the sacrificial lamb and the glory of the thirst-quencher, to name but three. The culmination of Christ's glory for John, and for Tidball, is the cross, the glory of the dying king. Each chapter ends with questions for further consideration, as befits a Bible reading tool such as this.
This would make a great month's personal devotions for any Christian, and would certainly aid the preacher who is walking the journey of expository preaching through John, although it is by no means a commentary on the text. In this regard Tidball commends Carson for further reading, although I think Beasley-Murray and C K Barrett would be helpful as well.
Its primary aim is not to assist the preacher so much as to help the disciple who wants to meet the saviour in the pages of John's Gospel. It is a devotional tool rather than an expositional aid. In this respect it succeeds magnificently, or perhaps I might say, 'gloriously'. Here is a master of exposition keeping his technical skills where they belong, in the background, in order to allow the message to shine forth.
With some books on Scripture one is so impressed by the ability of the expositor that the message seems secondary, but not so with Derek Tidball. He allows Scripture to speak, aided by his gentle and wise shaping of the passages to assist our understanding of them.
I suspect that some chapters, in an amended form, have had a separate existence as sermons and no doubt others might be tempted to take this framework and adapt it for their own sermon series. If in doing so they preach the saviour as effectively as Tidball expounds the glory of Christ, then their congregation will be blessed.
Quite apart from the fact that it is encouraging to see a paperback coming in at well under GBP10, this is a great resource and worth every penny. It brings John's Gospel alive to the Bible reader so that he or she might be able to reflect that glory in their own lives.
Reviewed by Paul Goodliff
From: London School of Theology Review - Spring 07
'There's glory for you!' Although of course he meant something very different by it, Humpty Dumpty's words (in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass), given their usual meaning, are a fitting summary of this latest book by Derek Tidball.
The substance of the book, indicated by the subtitle, is a study of Jesus in the Gospel of John, specifically through the filter of the concept of his glory. The introduction discusses the concept of glory and John's use of it, suggesting that Jesus' glory is often to be seen even where explicit glory terminology is absent. Twenty-six short studies, working chronologically through the Gospel, form the core of the book. In each case, the focus is on seeing how the glory of Jesus is revealed by what he said or did.
The approach is devotional. The book is written in a pithy, preaching style, as reflected in the use of catchy headings for the short sections in which the material is presented. This makes it very readable. At the same time, Derek Tidball demonstrates an awareness of the more scholarly theological and critical issues related to this Gospel. He does not avoid the difficult questions, although, rightly in a book of this kind, these are never the primary focus. A remarkably light touch is displayed; points are quietly touched on without losing the essential focus or detracting from the readability of the book.
There are always points of detail where one might take a different view but, as one who has been engaged for a number of years in research on the Gospel of John, I found this book informed, insightful and inspirational. It is a superb introduction to some of the key themes in the Gospel of John. More importantly, it is a wonderful introduction to and exposition of Jesus and his glory. An opportunity to meet him that is not to be missed. There's glory for you!
It is a pity that the book will not be out for Easter, which would be a great time to read it. However, it is published late April, and at GBP6.99, it is worth every penny.
Reviewed by Chris Jack
Book details
- ISBN: 9781841014975
- Published: 20 April 2007
- Status:
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 160
- Discount available
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