CALLED TO BE FRIENDS

Published by: Hodder and Stoughton Price: £14.99

Written by the director of the Free Church Track at Cranmer Hall, Durham University, this new book sheds new light on John’s Gospel and principally examines its narrative pattern.

There is a surprise in the way the book is arranged (which could be interpreted as a gimmick) but is, I believe, designed to encourage readers to set aside long-held views, knowledge and understanding about the Gospel of John before embarking on a new examination with fresh eyes.

Galloway asks readers to set aside existing understanding of the Gospel of John and shows how the book was constructed as a literary ‘temple’ which enables readers to move inside and meet Jesus.

The book is organised into four parts: the first is an introduction to the idea of being friends with God and the concept of the Gospel as a temple space; the second looks in detail at the literary structure of John; the third delves into the space created by the Gospel and to meet with God and the fourth part reflects on the journey and offers an opportunity to consider what it means to be friends with God.

The purpose of the book is spelled out by the author in his conclusion – essentially finding a new way to read not just John, but the Bible.

Lynne McNeil