1, 2 & 3 John

Designed for pastors and church leaders, this volume explores how the Johannine letters can shape faithful belief, discipleship, and congregational life today.

In this volume in the Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible series, Steffen Lösel offers a fresh reading of the Johannine letters, reclaiming them from critiques that have characterized them as overly exclusionary or narrowly doctrinal. Rather than privileging right belief over right action, Lösel argues that these letters hold orthodoxy and orthopraxis together, presenting a vision of Christian faith that is both confessed and lived.

Written by a theologian for pastors and church leaders, this commentary reads the Johannine letters in conversation with major voices from the Christian tradition, with particular attention to Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Bonhoeffer. Through this theological engagement, the letters emerge as resources for strengthening faith and encouraging faithful Christian living.

Just as these writings were intended to support and motivate some of Jesus's earliest followers, Lösel shows how they can continue to encourage contemporary congregations. This volume is especially valuable for pastors seeking to engage the Johannine letters in preaching and teaching, including the lectionary readings from 1 John appointed during the Easter season of Year B.

The Belief series offers a fresh and invigorating approach to the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources, noted scholars provide a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the texts for those who preach and lead. This series is an invaluable resource for those who want to ponder the deep theological meaning of biblical books for Christians and their communities today.