{"product_id":"john-of-history-baptist-of-james-f-mcgrath-9780802886675","title":"John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStudies of the historical Jesus typically reduce John the Baptist to a subordinate role in the story of Christian origins. This meticulous historical study focuses on John himself, revealing his extensive and enduring influence.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn the popular imagination, John the Baptist plays the supporting role of Jesus's unkempt forerunner. But meticulous historical study reveals his wide-reaching and enduring influence on the history of religion. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe first study of its kind, \u003ci\u003eJohn of History, Baptist of Faith\u003c\/i\u003e sheds light on the historical John the Baptist and his world. James F. McGrath applies historical-critical methodology not only to the New Testament but also to the Mandaean Book of John, a holy text of the last extant gnostic sect. McGrath uses the teachings of John's pupil, Jesus, as a window into his mentor's beliefs. Along the way, he brings new clarity to questions of contention among scholars, such as John's use of immersion as a substitute for temple sacrifice. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBold in its claims yet careful in its method, \u003ci\u003eJohn of History, Baptist of Faith\u003c\/i\u003e lends fresh insight into John, Jesus, and their world. McGrath's pioneering monograph will challenge and intrigue students and scholars of the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism.\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChoice \u003c\/b\u003eOutstanding Academic Titles List (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiblical Archaeology Society (BAS) \u003c\/b\u003ePublication Award Best Book on the New Testament (2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e James F. McGrath\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0802886671\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780802886675\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/14\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 452\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.32lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.01h x 6.01w x 1.01d","brand":"James F. McGrath","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48852872724735,"sku":"9780802886675","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/john-of-history-baptist-of-james-f-mcgrath-9780802886675","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}