In order to challenge some implicit and explicit presuppositions in the reading of the Gospel of John, particularly relating to the choice of perspective in the historical evaluation of the Johannine community, Fuglseth (Børdo U. College, Norway) incorporates a sociological approach grounded in the modern sociology of religion and its models of new religious movements; a historical approach to the situation of the alleged Johannine community; and a comparative approach that encompasses texts of Philo of Alexandria and texts from Qumran. The study is revised from his 2002 doctoral dissertation in religious studies for the University of Trondheim, Norway. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)