Erica Davis Pass Christian Learning Center – BIBL6325 The Book of John Module 1a Reading Component: Background, Introductory to John (I read chapters 1-3) What to Expect from John’s Gospel Blum, Tenney and Constable provide a background on the Gospel of John to introduce the book to their readers prior to delving into the exposition of the text. They discuss the author, location, date, features and purpose, structure and theme, recipients and others. All agree the author of the text is John, son of Zebedee. They provide both internal and external evidence for such. Tenney cites Iranaeus bishop of Lyons who proclaimed John had written a Gospel in Ephesus as early as 180 AD. Based on the relationship of the writer to Jesus and the other disciples and his knowledge of Jewish elements, the most probable author is John. All the commentators believe that Ephesus is likely the location from where John composed this Gospel based on citations from Eusebius and the time John spent there. Tenney states that there is not enough evidence to definitely make this conclusion. Blum and Constable place the writing of John in the late first century, likely between 85 and 95 AD. Tenney does not indicate what he believes, but provides evidence and commentaries from others that would place the time of writing between 45 AD and 110 AD. (The remaining background information is divided by different headings from the commentators, but generally discuss the same ideas. For the purposes of this summary, the majority of Constable’s divisions will be used.) The apparent theme of John’s Gospel is “believe.” Constable and Blum both note that John does not use the noun form of “believe” (faith), as he places utmost importance of “active, vital trust in Jesus” (Constable 3). All commentators recognize that John narrates seven miracles for his purpose of illustrating that Jesus is the Messiah. In addition, Blum and Constable note that John includes seven statements in which Jesus declares “I am.” The features of form of John’s Gospel differ greatly from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). All commentators recognize that John was likely familiar with the Synoptics and may have written this Gospel as a supplement, but (as Tenney describes), John provides his firsthand account with his purpose in mind, apart from the influences of the other Gospels. His reason for writing this Gospel has long been debated. Constable notes that he may have been trying to combat those who believed He never became incarnate (Docetists). Similarly, Tenney expresses he may have been trying to combat Cerinthianism (belief that Jesus was only a human who was possessed by a Christ-spirit from baptism to death on the cross). As all the commentators recognize, John states his purpose in chapter 20, verse 31 “that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” Tenney states that the intended recipients cannot be known for certain, but all commentators agree that the gospel likely appeals to the Gentile Christian who needs encouragement in continuing the faith. Despite this, it is still relative to all groups of people, as Blum points out, and has been used for the purpose of evangelism throughout history. John does not write this gospel as a historical account of the life of Jesus, (none of the Gospels provide a complete historical account of Jesus) but focuses more on the theological aspects, using “the episodes that will best illustrate its presentation of Jesus as the object of faith.” (Tenney 12) It is not written in the same for as the other Gospels, but it does reference some of the same events and is definitely historical. In summary, Blum states that the beauty of this Gospel is that John so clearly depicts that Christ is both divine and historical. Critics do not understand this, but it is the glory of the church.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:49:17 +0000
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