Journeying with John

James Woodward is a Canon of Windsor, and the general editor of the book. He has written extensively in the area of pastoral and practical theology. His recent publications include Valuing Age (SPCK 2008). Dr Paula Gooder is a writer and lecturer in New Testament studies. She is also a visiting lecturer at Kings College London, an honorary lecturer at the University of Birmingham, senior research scholar at the Queens Foundation, Birmingham, and Canon Theologian of Birmingham Cathedral. Her publications include Searching for Meaning (SPCK 2008) and Heaven (SPCK 2011).The Reverend Mark Pryce is Bishops Adviser for Clergy Continuing Ministerial Development in the Diocese of Birmingham.

'Journeying with John: Hearing the voice of John's Gospel in Years A, B and C' is not a traditional commentary in that it neither goes through the Gospel, section by section, nor does it go through the passages from the Gospel prescribed in the lectionary in a systematic way. Instead, it focuses on each liturgical season, commenting on the various Johannine passages before focusing more intensely on one or two.The structure is also unusual, though highly effective. After a long introduction to the Gospel, there are eight chapters: Advent and Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Passion and Holy Week, Easter, The Easter Season, Pentecost, Ordinary Time.Each chapter is made up of three parts, exploring the text, imagining the text and reflecting on the text.The first part is by Paula Gooder, who brings the reader into the text through background, context and exegesis.Mark Pryce 'imagines' the text through poetry and creative writing, offering a different lens through which to examine a familiar scene.James Woodward then offers some reflections on how this might be applied to our own lives and in contemporary society. This is then followed up with some suggestions for action, conversation, questions and prayer, set in the context of 'marks of mission,' from material generated by the Anglican Communion focusing on the mission of the Church. There is a wealth of material and insight here for individual reading, for study groups and indeed, for homiletic preparation. While many parts could be marked out for consideration, the reflection in Chapter three on our pastoral heart and Chapter four on the passion of Jesus are particularly worth consideration.Having finished the book, the only fault was that I was left wanting more. I would deeply appreciate a more systematic approach to all of the Johannine narrative in a similar vein.