"Kim Haines-Eitzen traces the remarkable journey of one of Christianity's most enigmatic texts, from its earliest fragments to its enduring cultural and theological afterlives. In engaging fashion and with scholarly depth, she explores how the Gospel of John was created, contested, and cherished across centuries, appearing in everything from ancient amulets and early Christian art to contemporary media. This accessible and erudite biography invites readers into the vibrant and evolving legacy of a Gospel that continues to shape imagination and belief." --Robyn Faith Walsh, author of The Origins of Early Christian Literature "For two thousand years, the Gospel of John has shaped how millions have understood Jesus, salvation, truth--and one another. Its words ripple through Christian dogma and debate, devotion and division. In this inviting book, Kim Haines-Eitzen guides readers through that complex legacy with clarity and warmth, unafraid to highlight both its beauty and its burdens. The result is a thought-provoking study, one that illuminates not only the enduring power of a sacred text, but the even more profound and dangerous power of those who read it." --Hugo Méndez, author of The Gospel of John: A New History "There is no other book comparable to this one.

Haines-Eitzen presents a biography of the Gospel as a sustained and highly engaging narrative, providing readers with a great deal of in-depth yet accessible information about its history and the debates surrounding it." -- Timothy Beal, author of The Book of Revelation: A Biography "An accessible exploration of the Gospel of John, its histories, meanings, and legacies. Haines-Eitzen traces the book as both a narrative with a plot that can be interpreted and a book that was copied, envisioned, and transformed." --Jennifer Knust, coauthor of To Cast the First Stone: The Transmission of a Gospel Story.