"But These Are Written . . .": Essays on Johannine Literature in Honor of Professor Benny C. Aker

Johannine Literature offers some of the most beautiful, majestic, and profound theology contained within the entire biblical text. Within its works can be found the highest Christology, the capstone of eschatology, and the heartbreaking struggles of a community committed to Christ. However, it does not always get the attention it deserves in New Testament studies. This book seeks to remedy that by drawing together some of the most respected biblical scholars to bring their expertise to bear on various aspects of Johannine studies that are contained within the Gospel, Epistles, and the Apocalypse. These contributions have been collected as a Festschrift in honor and celebration of the career of Benny C. Aker, a preeminent scholar, teacher, and mentor. "In the course of my survey of literature about the Holy Spirit, I have come ac72055ross the name of Ben Aker many times. However, until reading some of the contributions to this Festschrift, I had no idea the extent of his influence on pentecostal scholarship. Not only did he lift up many students on his shoulders, but he provided a crucial avenue of publication for them and his pentecostal colleagues, providing the church with much-needed, Spirit-centered literature." --Robert W. Graves, President, The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship "Johannine literature provides not only a unique Christology, it also provides practical advice for daily Christian living in community and a glimpse into what Christ's ultimate victory will look like at the end of this age. In honor of Ben Aker and his scholarship in Johannine literature, several of his colleagues have written essays using select passages from John's writings. This work is a valuable resource for pastors, educators, and students." --Richard L. Schoonover, Associate Editor, "An excellent and heuristic collection of exploratory studies in the Johannine writings. Several strands of new research here suggest that a prophetic anointing distinct from initial belief in Jesus best illuminates the Johannine concept that 'the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy' (Rev 19:10)." --Paul Elbert, Editor, "Benny C. Aker is living proof that people of the Spirit are also students of the Word. In other words, his life and teaching ministry show that vibrant pentecostal spirituality and careful academic scholarship can be mutually enriching practices. I am therefore pleased to commend this Festschrift for Dr. Aker, and to pray that his tribe of Word-centered, Spirit-empowered scholars increase!" --George O. Wood, General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God Craig S. Keener (PhD, Duke University) is F. M. and Ada Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is author of seventeen books, four of which have won major awards, more than seventy academic articles, several booklets, and more than one hundred fifty popular-level articles. One of his books, , now in a second edition, has sold more than half a million copies. His books include commentaries on Matthew, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Revelation, a two-volume on John and a four-volume commentary on Acts, plus a two-volume work on miracles, works about the Spirit, ethnic reconciliation, women in ministry, divorce and various other topics. Craig is the New Testament editor for a forthcoming NIV study Bible focused on Bible background. Craig is married to Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener, who was a refugee in her home country of Congo for eighteen months. Jeremy S. Crenshaw is a PhD student in Biblical Studies at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jordan Daniel May is a Correctional Chaplain with the Assemblies of God. Johannine Literature Offers Some Of The Most Beautiful, Majestic, And Profound Theology Contained Within The Entire Biblical Text. Within Its Works Can Be Found The Highest Christology, The Capstone Of Eschatology, And The Heartbreaking Struggles Of A Community Committed To Christ. However, It Does Not Always Get The Attention It Deserves In New Testament Studies. This Book Seeks To Remedy That By Drawing Together Some Of The Most Respected Biblical Scholars To Bring Their Expertise To Bear On Various Aspects Of Johannine Studies That Are Contained Within The Gospel, Epistles, And The Apocalypse. These Contributions Have Been Collected As A Festschrift In Honor And Celebration Of The Career Of Benny C. Aker, A Preeminent Scholar, Teacher, And Mentor. Foreword / Del Tarr -- Biographical Sketch Of Benny C. Aker / Lois E. Olena -- He Will Guide You Into All The Truth / John W. Wyckoff -- The Role And Function Of The Demonic In The Johannine Tradition / John Christopher Thomas -- John's Doxology: The Trinitarian Passion For The Glory Of God / Bruce E. Rosdahl -- The Virgin Birth In The Fourth Gospel? A Brief Note On The Triple-negation In John 1.13 / Jordan Daniel May -- Master(s) Of The Sea? Ephesian Fishermen, John 6.16-21, And John 21 / Waren Carter -- Episodes Of Personal Encounter: Inquiry Into John's Christology / James D. Hernando -- A New Look At An Old Problem: A Narrative Approach To John 7.37-39 / Philip L. Mayo -- Born Of God: The Virgin Birth Of Believers In The Fourth Gospel / Michael C. Mckeever -- Seeking Peace With Justice: Toward A Christomorphic Pneumatology / Paul Alexander -- The Love Of God: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Developing And Measuring Spiritual Maturity Based On A Johannine Love Ethic / Edward W. Watson And Angela L. Watson -- The Antichrists Speak: A Message To The Community Of 1 John / Robert A. Berg -- Choose You Own Adventure: Teaching, Participatory Hermeneutics, And The Book Of Revelation / Robby Waddell -- Will The Real Church Please Stand Up? An Exegetical Examination Of Revelation 11.1-13 / Jeremy S. Crenshaw -- The Spirit Of The Lamb: A Reflection On The Pneumatology Of Revelation / Frank D. Macchia -- Was John The Revelator Pentecostal? / Robert P. Menzies -- One Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Days: A Charismatic-prophetic Empowerment Reading Of Time And God's People In The Book Of Revelation / Craig S. Keener -- The Vocabulary And Phraseology Of Revelation / Timothy P. Jenney. Edited By Craig S. Keener, Jeremy S. Crenshaw, Jordan Daniel May. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title Page Contributors Foreword Abbreviations Chapter 1: Biographical Sketch of Benny C. Aker Chapter 2: He Will Guide You into All the Truth Chapter 3: The Role and Function of the Demonic in the Johannine Tradition Chapter 4: John’s Doxology Chapter 5: The Virgin Birth in the Fourth Gospel? Chapter 6: Master(s) of the Sea? Chapter 7: Episodes of Personal Encounter Chapter 8: A New Look at an Old Problem Chapter 9: Born of God Chapter 10: Seeking Peace with Justice Chapter 11: The Love of God Chapter 12: The “Antichrists” Speak Chapter 13: Choose Your Own Adventure Chapter 14: Will The Real Church Please Stand Up? Chapter 15: The Spirit of the Lamb Chapter 16: Was John the Revelator Pentecostal? Chapter 17: One Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Days Chapter 18: The Vocabulary and Phraseology of Revelation Appendix 1: Tables Appendix 2: Graphs