Event Details
The Death of Jesus and the Message of Life: According to the Gospel of John
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6–8:30 p.m.
With Craig Koester
“Life” is the heart of the gospel John proclaims. It defines who God is and what God gives. The gift is both physical and relational. It begins now and shapes a way of life in the world, and it holds within it Christ’s promise of resurrection. Jesus’ crucifixion remains the stubborn fact that challenges our understanding of what the message of life means. His death was the outcome of social and political forces that culminated in state-sponsored violence. But in putting to death the Giver of Life, the world reveals the depth of its estrangement from God. Using different interpretive lenses, John presses us to see how God, through the death of Jesus, does indeed give life. The Gospel takes us beyond popular notions of sin and sacrifice by presenting a more radical message. Through the crucifixion, God conveys the fullness of his love for the world in order to evoke the faith that gives life. This cruciform love is militant, confronting the forces of deception and hate, and giving urgency to contemporary Christian witness that seeks fullness of life for individuals, communities, and the world God made.
In-Person Event
6 p.m. start
Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 1490 Fulham Street, Saint Paul
Complimentary meal provided. Gluten-free and vegan options available
Virtual Event
6:15 p.m. start
Live, interactive webinar
About the Speaker
Craig Koester is Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Professor of New Testament emeritus at Luther Seminary, where he taught from 1986 to 2022 and served as vice president for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean from 2013–2018. He has a passion for exploring what scripture says about God, ourselves, and the world in which we live. An innovative teacher, Koester is known for weaving music, visuals, and drama into his courses to help students both learn and experience the biblical story. His books include the widely-used The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel and Revelation and the End of All Things. He created series for the Great Courses on the Apocalypse and on the Bible as literature. An internationally-known New Testament scholar, Koester has written landmark commentaries on Hebrews and Revelation, edited volumes of essays, and is completing a major volume on John’s Gospel.
About the Fretheim Lecture
The Terence E. and Faith L. Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology was established to provide Luther Seminary and surrounding communities with access to biblical-theological scholarship by prominent biblical scholars and theologians. These lectures offer fresh perspectives on relevant topics, with strong theological focus and attention to the Bible’s role in Christians’ theological discourse. The lectureship honors the legacy of the late Terry Fretheim and his wife, Faith. Terry and Faith were deeply involved in the life of the seminary during Terry’s 45 years as professor of Old Testament, and Faith continues to be a valued member of the wider Luther Seminary community. Previous Fretheim lecturers include Walter Brueggemann, Dennis Olson, Ellen Davis, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, and Amy-Jill Levine.