Dining With John

Kobel (theology, U. of Basel, Switzerland) has written an impressive study, closely examining the depiction and lessons occurring at meals in the Gospel of John, analyzing the symbolism of meals in community, symbolic meals in the practice of various ancient religions, and the actual practice of meal taking in the world of Jesus' time. An initial chapter offers a full outline of the meal scenes and mentions of food and drink in the Gospel of John. Subsequent chapters examine topics that include mystery cults, symbolic and actual ritual practice of eating flesh and blood, the historical context of betrayal at a meal, and the many allusions to the Eucharist in the Gospel of John. A separate chapter considers the symbolism and practice of meals in spiritual communities of the time, including the Qumran, Essene, Therapeutae, Haburoth, Pauline, Didache, and those described in the Acts of the Apostles. The study is a revision of the author's 2010 doctoral thesis in theology, from the U. of Basel. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Esther Kobel, Dr. theol. (2010), University of Basel, Switzerland, is Post-Doctoral Teaching and Research Assistant at the Department of New Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Basel.