In Jesus’ Name
Johannine Prayer in Ethical, Missional, and Eschatological Perspective
by Scott Adams
Foreword by Jan Van der Watt
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
This book focuses on a neglected area of New Testament studies--the function of prayer across the Johannine literature. By building on the author's previous work, Prayer in John's Farewell Discourse, this book takes another step forward by exploring how prayer in the Farewell Discourse compares to prayer in 1 John, 3 John, and Revelation. It also seeks to discern how prayer is linked to the ethical behaviors of Johannine disciples, their missional success as they carry forth the mission of God in the world, and the eschatological impulse of calling for Jesus to come again in order to complete his work in the world. As a bonus, the final chapter highlights key elements of Johannine prayer that are relevant to the contemporary reader who approaches the Scriptures not merely as ancient documents to be read and interpreted but as timeless truths that are to be applied and obeyed.
Scott Adams is an assistant professor at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia and serves as the lead pastor at the Midtown Location of Our Savior’s Church in Lafayette, Louisiana.
“Scott Adams has written an insightful book on a significant but underexplored topic: prayer in the Johannine writings. The emphasis on prayer’s ethical, missional, and eschatological dimensions is spot-on. Adams offers important perspectives on some key passages that are often misinterpreted and on theological connections among the writings. Careful analysis plus a perceptive chapter on prayer today make this volume a worthy addition to the library of students, scholars, and teachers/preachers.”
—Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary & University
“Having already established himself as a leading authority on prayer in the Fourth Gospel, Scott Adams now expands his treatment of prayer to the Johannine Epistles and Apocalypse as well. In seeing the purpose of prayer as partnership with Christ in the furthering of his will and work in the world, authentic prayer bears extensive spiritual, social, ethical, and political implications. An excellent book on a timeless subject!”
—Paul N. Anderson, George Fox University, Newberg
“Too often our prayers are ethereal abstractions that lack theological grounding in a communal ethic. In this helpful study, Scott Adams draws from Scripture to show the church and the academy how to recontextualize prayer so that it is more thoroughly rooted in the cross-and-resurrection ethic of the true king's reign.”
—Matthew W. Bates, Quincy University