The Spirituality of Following Jesus in John's Gospel: An Investigation of Akolouthein and Correlated Motifs

Research on following Jesus has mostly been done in terms of what Jesus followers ought to do. In this unprecedented study Kim presents following Jesus in Johns Gospel through the perspective of what Jesus does for his followers. Following Jesus is a journey towards the place where Jesus leads his followers that is to a relationship with the Father. It is ultimately participating in the Sons communion with the Father. Jesus who was in the bosom of the Father descended from him and ascends to him taking his followers with him so that they may be with him where he is with the Father in glory and love. Kim develops this thesis by examining the term akolouthein (to follow) and correlated motifs in Johns Gospel. Sean Kim has done an excellent comprehensive and fine scholarly achievement regarding Johannine spirituality. His book fills the present need and gap dealing with the term ἀκολουθεῖν in the framework of following Jesus in John. It will serve as an extensive resource in the study of Spirituality for students researchers and pastors for years to come. --Richard K. Min University of Texas Dallas Sean Kims The Spirituality of Following Jesus in Johns Gospel is the most important work on spirituality in the fourth Gospel since The Revelatory Text by Sandra Schneiders in 1999. Keeping to the traditional literary-theological approach when combining Johannine studies with spirituality studies finely-detailed exegetical work on the Gospel of John is here integrated with the most influential scholarship in spirituality studies. Based on a recent University of South Africa doctoral dissertation the specialization over a quarter of a century on this topic by the supervisor Dirk van der Merwe stands this study in good stead. The Spirituality of Following Jesus in Johns Gospel advances both the academic disciplines here integrated enriching an increasingly interdisciplinary world of theological scholarship. --Christo Lombaard Professor of Christian Spirituality University of South Africa Faith is often described as a journey in which the process of the trip is more important than the destination. Through a careful reading Kim demonstrates in John Christian discipleship is in fact about the destination being where Jesus is. This important reading adds depth to our understanding of Christian discipleship and those who read along with Kim will teach and preach the fourth Gospel in new ways. -- Peter Bush Moderator 143rd General Assembly The Presbyterian Church in Canada Sean Seongik Kim was born and raised in Korea and served a discipleship ministry at a campus mission organization (UBF). He studied at Regent College Hapdong Theological Seminary and the University of South Africa. He is an ordained minister and currently lives in Canada with his wife Mary and two sons Samuel and Daniel.