Jamie Clark-Soles writes her commentary Reading John for Dear Life a little like the writer of John writes his gospel. Her approach is not to share knowledge for the sake of knowledge, although this book is well considered and academically adroit. Instead this is a book written because the gospel of John matters to our everyday rough and tumble lives. Clark-Soles is keen for us to not just know John, but feel and apply the Gospel. She also writes poetically - and weaves her favourite poets into the commentary - which matches the fourth gospel beautifully. The commentary is easy to read, like sitting in an armchair in front of a fire, having a good chat to a friend who has fresh and unique ideas.

While I don’t agree with every conclusion made, I would recommend this commentary to anyone wanting to apply the gospel of John to how they live and worship.

Every moment of every day is ripe with the promise of resurrection and life. The point is not to escape the world but to transform it such that it promotes the flourishing of all creation, the creation that God carefully orchestrated. God is always at work in the world, in embodied lives.

A commentary on the book of John that is conversational and at times insightful. The above quote is a solid biblical truth, however, I found some of his text would contradict this truth. Universalism being one - which he did not go into great depth but just mentioned that John was a universalist which I would totally disagree and his text on love and truth. More or less love pits itself against truth.

This I would not recommend.

A Special Thank You to Westminster John Knox Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The Gospel of John is one that I find myself quoting but I have never read it its entirety. After Reading John for Dear Life I now have a hunger for this particular gospel that I've never had before. The author is able to explain the stories in the Bible in such a relatable way and with such knowledge. I can see myself using this book as a reference for a deeper, personal Bible study.

This is a very well-written and thoroughly researched book and a wonderful resource!