An Understandable Approach to Jesus' Farewell Discourse

Everything you ever wanted to know about the coming of the Holy Spirit, and then some. Well not quite, but Don Carson, in this book covering a few chapters of the Gospel of John, does a good job of eliminating some of the confusion. As Carson writes in the preface, this book is meant for the ‘church at large’ rather than academia. And for that we owe him a heartfelt thank you.  As part of a Doctoral program, I’ve read other books by Carson, and there is definitely a difference between academic and the general public. I’m glad that he has recognized the difference

Reading through the gospels is never an easy job, and for many lay people, the Gospel of John, with its emphasis on the deity of God, is slightly more difficult than the accounts of Jesus' life and ministry as narrated in the Gospels off Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If you are one of those who want to understand the Fourth Gospel, but find yourself struggling, The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14-17 (Baker Books, 1980, repackaged edition 2018) may be the book you’ve been looking for. Almost 40 years later the writing is still fresh, and the questions posed are still troubling people in the pews. And of course, the answers are still relevant.

The Disciples were confused, as many of us still are, at Jesus’ words in these few pages, and Carson does an admirable job of pointing out a number of issues that cause that confusion, as well as some of the opposing arguments. I’m going- you can’t come, but then I’ll be back for you. You won’t see me, then you will see me.  I’m praying for me, for you, and all those who will come later. Yes there’s a lot with which to wrestle.

I see a sermon series in the near future, and the folks in our weekly Bible study group are going to be blessed with this approach to the Fourth Gospel.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

5/5