John for Beginners: A Bible Study for Individual and Group Use

A.J. Pell is rector of Christ Church in Hope, B.C., editor of the
Canadian Evangelical Review, and an instructor of Liturgy, Anglican
Studies Programme at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.

James Taylor has chosen a strange way to organize this small Bible
study. Rather than systematically going through John’s gospel from the
first verse of chapter 1 to the last verse of chapter 21, he has chosen
to use the Revised Common Lectionary to approach the text. The result is
that some parts of John, because they are not used in the lectionary,
are passed over with no comment (e.g., 3:22-31 or 12:17-19). Other
parts, which are included in the lectionary readings more than once, get
double treatment (e.g., 16:12-15 or 1:6-14). The “beginners” Taylor
is writing for will be confused.

The other difficulty with this book is the content. Taylor’s
commentary is uneven and more often than not avoids grappling with the
text. His “ponderings” (questions for personal reflection or group
discussion) provide some paths for self-reflection, but they do not help
the reader delve into John’s narrative and theology. The nonexpert who
wishes to begin to understand the Fourth Gospel would be further ahead
reading William Barclay’s popular yet insightful treatment of John in
his Daily Study Bible series. By comparison, Taylor gives the reader
very little with which to learn and grow.