While most interpreters agree that the historical Jesus did not speak in the style presented in John’s Gospel, The Lord’s Words proposes a new model for understanding the genesis of these speeches. It argues that they are based on “core words” from the Johannine church tradition. The evangelist received and reflected upon these words, weaving them into the monologues and dialogues of the Gospel to create his unique speech compositions.

This study shifts away from attempts to apologetically connect John to a presumed Jesus tradition. Instead, it focuses on the literary and theological hermeneutics of the evangelist in his engagement with these “good words.”

Furthermore, the book explores the origins of the high Johannine Christology (“Wisdom Christology”) and investigates the trauma experienced by Johannine Christians during their schism from the Jewish synagogue.