Paul and John in Harmony: A Theological and Historical Exploration
By Michael J. Gorman
Baker Academic, 224 pages
Published April 14, 2026
In the Christian life of faith, we are asked to balance continuity and change — to hold to our convictions while remaining perpetually open to conversion. This may seem an odd assertion when considering an academic text analyzing ancient documents; however, Paul and John in Harmony could very well lead to some discordance among its readers. In his most recent book, noted biblical scholar Michael J. Gorman challenges the received tenet that the Pauline and Johannine schools of theology developed independently of one another. Instead, through a theological and historical exploration, he intends to demonstrate a radical coherence between these two New Testament titans.
With most of the book focused on the theological harmony between Paul and John, Gorman is “not looking for a word or phrase here and there in John that sounds like Paul or vice versa; rather, [he is] looking for the big picture, for some ‘comprehensive’ themes.’” Gorman’s exegetical rigor offers compelling arguments on this front, linking what he identifies as the “life-giving stories” of these two theologians found in the Christ Poem in Philippians 2 and the foot-washing scene in John 13. The verbal and theological parallels of these passages reveal not only harmony between the Christology of Paul and John, but also between their visions of discipleship.
Making good on his radical thesis … Gorman asserts that it is John who preceded and influenced Paul; if correct, the ramifications of such a claim would be nothing short of seismic …
Following this convincing exploration, Gorman turns to the second half of his subtitle to consider the historical relationship between Paul and John. Or, as he writes: “With respect to some significant comprehensive themes and in some quite striking ways, Paul and John are in harmony. The existence of common features between their two Christologies and spiritualities, plus additional associated themes, raises a ‘genetic’ query … Who influenced whom?” Making good on his radical thesis, Gorman asserts that it is John who preceded and influenced Paul; if correct, the ramifications of such a claim would be nothing short of seismic within the world of biblical studies, suggesting a far earlier date for John (not to mention the other Gospels).
Even a reader who is not swayed by Gorman’s arguments will surely enjoy the incisive scholarship and engaging prose of Paul and John in Harmony. Pastors and academics will be especially rewarded by exploring Gorman’s fresh challenges to tradition, grounded in his close reading of biblical texts. Beyond academic reflection, Paul and John in Harmony abounds with practical implications to be shared in congregations, particularly the understanding that abiding in Christ will not lead us to sit still; rather, it will compel us to be on the move to practice God’s love. In this way, Gorman invites us all to find beauty anew within the pages of our most treasured texts.
And this is the real gift of Gorman’s book: it reminds us that in the Christian life, we are asked to live with both continuity and change. If we remain open to a fresh view of the history and theological harmony of the New Testament, we will walk away with a greater appreciation of its beauty — even if we are not convinced to change our minds.
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