The original version of this book was published in 1979. The author died in 1998. This new publication is an almost word for word reissue of the original text. Sometimes one finds a tweak or two. There is a lovely new cover, footnotes at the end of the book rather than in the main text as in the original edition, an occasional minor change in language. Nevertheless, for those who devoured the first version and for those who did not, this iteration still is worth the read.  I found myself underlining portions that had escaped me as a graduate student the first time through (shortly after its initial publication).

What is new is an Introduction by Paul Anderson. He sees Brown’s work as ground-breaking. He even comments that it has pastoral implications for today’s church. Anderson goes on to note reactions to the work, pros and cons, and questions that remain unresolved.        

The book itself examines the gospel in its historical context. Phase One considers the origins and development of what the author calls the Johannine community. The author argues that the gospel demonstrates the movement from a lower Christology (in the synoptics) to the higher Christology of John. Here there is more harmonious role of John the Baptist to this new group than one sees in the earlier gospels. There is this mysterious (and never named) Beloved Disciple, witness to it all. Likewise, Jesus’ mother is nameless although she plays an important metaphorical role as church. It is fair to say that this gospel is a step beyond the other three.

In Phase Two Brown posits how the community came to be and its historical context. The reader finds references to “the Jews,” “the world,” the original followers of John the Baptist. One can detect subtle references to “other Christians, Jews who hide their connections to the new group as well as some whose faith is inadequate. There is the outreach to Gentiles.

Phase Three deals with the Johannine epistles, likely written later than the gospel itself. Internal struggles continue within the community. There are defections. Questions related to Christology (the necessary assertion that Jesus was human), the place of the Spirit, etc. continue to be parsed.

Beyond the written legacy of the Johannine community, Phase Four moves the spotlight to the greater church, the struggles with Gnosticism, and the dissolving of this unique group into what Brown deems “the Great Church.” The appendices provide helpful charts summarizing the content and demonstrating parallel conclusions of other scholars. There is also some commentary on the women portrayed in the gospel

While I personally might expand Brown’s treatment of the Beloved Disciple, I respect and appreciate his work, not only here but in his vast contribution to innovative biblical scholarship. Professor Anderson cautions in his preface, this book is not for those unfamiliar with biblical scholarship, but it is more readable than many scriptural commentaries. Anderson does note, however, that the book would be “intelligible to any educated person.” Brown’s work represents the twentieth century shift of biblical scholarship to the historical-critical method. Even after almost a half-century (to which my original dog-eared, yellowed copy testifies), this book stands up as a rich and readable text. For those who love and honor the magnificent fourth gospel it is a joy to read.