Unpacking John 1 was conceived at my kitchen table. I had just finished an intense study the previous morning. Feeling somewhat aimless that morning, I said to myself, "It's been a while since I studied one of the gospels. Guess I'll read John." Two-and-a-half years later I finished John 1.

The first chapter of John's gospel starts in the beginning and concludes with a picture of heaven opening. That struck me as significant. As I explored what was contained between the beginning and the end, I was stunned to count seventeen themes in just that one chapter.

Unpacking John 1 is a topical study of the seventeen themes I discovered that morning while eating breakfast. As I wrote, I envisioned three primary audiences: people who were curious about the Bible and wanted an overview of some of its important themes; people who were interested in studying John 1; and pastors and teachers preparing to teach about John's gospel, or any of the themes found in John 1.

What sets this book apart from other studies of John 1 is that the scriptures themselves become the commentary for the topics. Each theme is a chapter: "Creation and the Word"; "Life, Light, and Darkness"; "John the Baptist and His Message"; "Children of God"; "Glory"; "The One and Only"; "Grace"; "Truth"; "Lamb of God"; "Baptism"; "The Holy Spirit"; "Following the Rabbi"; "The Messiah"; "The Law and the Prophets"; "The Son of God"; "The King of Israel"; and "Open Heaven."