Unpacking John 1

Unpacking John 1 was conceived at my kitchen table. I had just finished an intense study the previous morning. Feeling somewhat aimless that morning, I said to myself, Its been a while since I studied one of the gospels. Guess Ill read John. Two-and-a-half years later I finished John 1.


The first chapter of Johns gospel starts in the beginning and concludes with a picture of heaven opening. That struck me as significant. As I explored what was contained between the beginning and the end, I was stunned to count seventeen themes in just that one chapter.


Unpacking John 1 is a topical study of the seventeen themes I discovered that morning while eating breakfast. As I wrote, I envisioned three primary audiences: people who were curious about the Bible and wanted an overview of some of its important themes; people who were interested in studying John 1; and pastors and teachers preparing to teach about Johns gospel, or any of the themes found in John 1.


What sets this book apart from other studies of John 1 is that the scriptures themselves become the commentary for the topics. Each theme is a chapter: Creation and the Word; Life, Light, and Darkness; John the Baptist and His Message; Children of God; Glory; The One and Only; Grace; Truth; Lamb of God; Baptism; The Holy Spirit; Following the Rabbi; The Messiah; The Law and the Prophets; The Son of God; The King of Israel; and Open Heaven.