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John, Volume 1 (Study Commentary)Heart-warming and challengingJOHN Gordon J. Keddie, the Minister of Grace Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania, USA, has given us the first volume of a helpful Study Commentary on John's Gospel (chapters 1-12). He writes as a preacher and this book is clearly the fruit of years of expository ministry in a local church. For this reason it has much to offer the preacher as well as other thoughtful Christian readers. Keddie writes in a non-technical way, drawing on older commentators such as Calvin, Matthew Henry, Manton, Owen and Simeon, as well as more contemporary evangelical writers such as Leon Morris, Don Carson, Hermann Ridderbos and Bruce Milne. His style is occasionally heavy, but usually accessible, and sometimes lightened by a phrase straight from the pulpit. For example, he comments on Jesus's words to Mary at the wedding at Cana, when he said: 'Dear woman, why do you involve me?', by saying 'It is as if Jesus is saying "Don't order me about, Mum. I'm not your little boy any more. Neither am I your dial-a-miracle service. I'm the Lord of glory come to do the will of my Father in heaven".' Keddie's theological emphasis is solidly reformed and his commentary clearly Christ-centred. He explains the text carefully and discusses some alternative interpretations in notes on each chapter at the end of the book. He applies the text to Christian readers, but also applies it evangelistically, following John's stated purpose for his Gospel (John 20.31). In his Introduction, Keddie establishes the traditional view of the authorship and date of this Gospel. He then introduces each section of the commentary by a heading and a setting of the scene, followed by a few verses of the text, usually from the New King James Version. The text is then explained, expounded and applied, with the help of headings which are usually unforced and helpful. There is much in this commentary which is heart-warming and challenging. Occasionally, I wondered how sensitive he was to the genuine questions people ask about the gospel. In one place (p. 196) he writes: 'We do not need to get bogged down in unprofitable discussions on the face of the "unreached" heathen, or the ability of God to save sinners who never heard the gospel. God will do all things well. He is sovereign, and not one of the elect will be plucked out of his hand...' Yes! But does not John 1.9 throw some light on these questions? Gordon Bridger, Sheringham© Evangelicals Now - September 2001 |