Theological themes in the gospel of john

While john s content may be unique, he presents a different side of jesus that is complimentary to the other three gospels and helps provide its readers with a clearer understanding of his divinity and preexistence. Truth as its used in the gospel of john isnt only about listing off facts and figures. Finally we will turn to the gospel of john and take it in its integrity, in its current literary form, and see what appears both dominant and distinctive that has not already been treated in our previous conversations. Commentary on the gospel of john, major themes signs done before eyewitnesses jesus as christ messiah and son of god the receiving of eternal. The fourth gospel as it stands is anonymous, but there is good reason for thinking that john wrote it and that he was the beloved disciple who leaned on jesus breast at the last supper john. I have elsewhere argued that in the fourth gospel john the baptist is beyond all doubt depicted from one point of view only, that of a witness to jesus. Euangelion kata ioannen is the fourth of the canonical gospels. The importance of the gospel of john can scarcely be overestimated. Restricting ourselves to johns gospel, we explore the four parts of the gospel narrative which we have identified under the headings of story, theology and drama. Sep 27, 2011 christology in the fourth gospel introduction. The major theological themes of the gospel, especially its christology, are treated in relation to the context of the work, since. The epistles of john show jesus as the way, the truth and the life.

He shows us that jesus, though fully god, came in the flesh to distinctly and accurately reveal god, and that christ is the source of eternal life to all who. Sep 21, 2018 watch the entire first lecture from our course themes in the gospel of johnnow available. These themes intertwine and support one another throughout johns gospel. The fourth gospel presents a more explicit christology than do the synoptic gospels, with several unique contributions to new testament christology, and, having the background of the historical presentation of jesus, john expounds and furthers theological themes. His work draws upon the most recent scholarly investigations of the gospel s historical purpose and setting. Only the term holy spirit is used in the old testament, with the other two descriptions being totally new. Learn theological themes with free interactive flashcards. He shows us that jesus, though fully god, came in the flesh to distinctly and accurately reveal god, and that christ is the. The question in the synoptic gospels concerns the extent to which the divine reality broke into history in jesus coming, and the answers are given in terms of the closeness of the new age. The genius of the gospel lies in the way in which john conceives of the relationship between the human and the divine.

The theme of purification recurs in johns gospel on many occasions. The gospel of john and work bible commentary theology of work. One of the overriding themes throughout the new testament is that jesus is the messiah. In presenting this, john s gospel also makes it clear that jesus is god. All the themes of john s gospel relate to the one purpose of the whole work as stated in. Title the title of the fourth gospel continues the pattern of the other gospels, being identified originally as according to john. Jan 18, 2019 the gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. To grasp the message of john writing, one must search out and follow these themes through the whole of his gospel.

His work draws upon the most recent scholarly investigations of the gospels historical purpose and setting. In this volume, leading biblical scholar richard bauckham illuminates main theological themes in the gospel of john, providing insightful analysis of key texts. The gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. John emphasizes the importance of light for believers are people who walk in the light. Therefore, if he wanted to retell this story, it would have to be done in a way that eliminates the fundamental gospel message in marks story. The book went through two to three stages, or editions, before reaching its current form, at the latest, around ad 80100. In presenting this, johns gospel also makes it clear that jesus is god. Ridderbos, herman, the gospel of john, a theological commentary, cambridge.

Throughout christian history, it has been read and cherished far more than any of the other preserved accounts of jesus life. No offense to harrison ford, but jesus looks just as spry in john. Throughout christian history, the gospel of johns distinctive way of presenting the life, works, teachings, death, and resurrection of jesus have. The theology of the gospel of john new testament theology. This is tape 6 of the series, the theology of the gospels. Christology in the fourth gospel thoughts of a living christian. Christology in the fourth gospel thoughts of a living. For instance, john writes in 2 john that gods grace, mercy and peace will be with us in truth and love.

Gospel in a passage where he argues that it was written to combat cerinthus and his heresy with a straight reference to john, that is, 1 see j. In gospel of glory, richard bauckham analyzes key passages and illuminates themes of divine and human community, gods glory, the cross and resurrection, and the sacraments. Introduction to the gospel of john study resources. Throughout christian history, the gospel of johns distinctive way of presenting the life, works, teachings, death, and resurrection of jesus have earned it labels such as the spiritual gospel and the maverick gospel. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. I have taken care to restrict my research deliberately excluding the. Johannine theology organizes the unifying theological subjects belonging to the new testament literature traditionally attributed to john. Though love is a major theme some would say the greatest, central onecampbell explains it is not possible to separate it out from the other themes, especially those of truth and relationship with god 11. All the themes of johns gospel relate to the one purpose of the whole work as stated in. The central theme in the synoptic gospels is the coming of the kingdom of god, and it was in relation to this event that the accounts were given of the life and.

This theme has many links with the theology of the old testament and. While some critics would say that a comprehensive, coherent theology may not be within reach, still we can outline those unifying themes that undergird these writings. But even though this is the fourth installment, the gospel of john is no kingdom of the crystal skull. The reader may well ponder the striking paradox of the above title. Johns telling of the feeding of the five thousand john 6. Watch the entire first lecture from our course themes in the gospel of johnnow available.

It is full of long dialogues, it speaks of signs rather than exorcisms or. The gospel of johns distinctive way of presenting christs life, works, teachings, and death has historically set it apart from the other accounts of jesus. Again, jesus works to sustain life in the present world, even as the sign points toward the. Analysis of gospel of john themes by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley.

The major theological themes of the gospel, especially its christology, are treated in relation to the context of the work, since johannine theology is not simply a byproduct of controversies that produced the gospel, but is rather. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free. When the gospels are studied, john always takes a place separate from the other three gospels included in the new testament, known as the synoptic gospels precisely because one can set them side by side in parallel and find that large sections overlap. Marks gospel carries, in the popular imagination and much pastoral use, the reputation of being the most uncomplicated and straightforward report of jesus earthly ministry, and it is often recommended as raising few, if any, theological problems. The gospel of john also develops a christology that is unique from the other gospels. Study the distinctive themes in the synoptics and in the gospel of john. However, i have also sought to include a brief discussion of some of the important theological and practical themes, especially as. Explaining the differences between john and the synoptic. It has been seen as the most theological of the four canonical gospels. While johns content may be unique, he presents a different side of jesus that is complimentary to the other three gospels and helps provide its readers with a clearer understanding of his divinity. John wrote this gospel with the purpose that we might believe that jesus is the son of god.

Best commentaries and books on john logos bible software. These themes intertwine and support one another throughout john s gospel. As a shepherd, john communicated to his flock some very basic, but vitally essential, principles reassuring them regarding the basics of the faith. Pdf version printable version listed below are various themes that are threaded throughout the gospel of st. The gospel of john s distinctive way of presenting christs life, works, teachings, and death has historically set it apart from the other accounts of jesus. It contains a variety of statements and information about jesus not contained in the synoptic gospels. He is referring to a spiritual life with god that continues even after death. There are many instances in the gospel of mark where jesus urges people not to broadcast the fact of who he is and his powers. In the midst of these debates, john s gospel is a thorough exploration of jesus himself. The authorship is unanimously attributed to the apostle john irenaeus, st. There is also a theme of personal coinherence, that is, the intimate personal relationship between the believer and jesus. In this solid evangelical commentary on johns gospel, a respected scripture expositor makes clear the flow of the text, engages a small but representative part of the massive secondary literature on john, shows how the fourth gospel contributes to biblical and systematic theology and offers a consistent exposition of john as a evangelistic gospel. He concentrates on its presentation of jesus as the christ, and deals also with such topics as god, the scriptures, the church, and the spirit. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for us.

In the midst of these debates, johns gospel is a thorough exploration of jesus himself. The holy spirit is described in three ways in the fourth gospel. For a limited time only, you can get the course at a major discount. I am going to also going to look at the main themes of these four gospels, beginning from matthew to john. Moody smith lucidly explains the theological ideas of the gospel of john, one of the most important documents of the new testament. He desired them to have joy regarding the certainty of their faith rather than being upset by the. It is my suggestion that john addressed this problem in his own gospel in an interesting way. Moloney shows how john brings gods love for the world to bear on the various aspects of the gospel. The authors of the four gospels in the bible had a specific group of people they wrote to and in this assignment i am going to look at those specific people and what the authors said about the life and work of jesus. The gospel of mark portrays the desire of jesus to keep his identity secret.

This study is structured around the chronology of pauls life. The gospel of john and work bible commentary theology. In this volume richard bauckham, a leading biblical scholar and a bestselling author in the academy, illuminates main theological themes of the gospel of john. Though love is a major themesome would say the greatest, central onecampbell explains it is not possible to separate it out from the other themes, especially those of truth and relationship with god 11. Using john in the theological task today are examples. John is the last gospel and, in many ways, different from the synoptic gospels. When jesus talks about eternal life, he doesnt mean that well all be immortal after all, there can be only one. Choose from 29 different sets of theological themes flashcards on quizlet. Story, theology and drama in the gospel of john thinking. To be born again by the spirit of god is the only way to come into the kingdom of god, only god himself can instigate this because of his work. The major theological themes of the gospel, especially its christology, are treated in relation to the context of the work, since johannine theology is not simply a byproduct of controversies that produced the gospel, but is rather related to them in.

First john also is pastoral, written from the heart of a pastor who has concern for his people. While john s content may be unique, he presents a different side of jesus that is complimentary to the other three gospels and helps provide its readers with a. John s is a profound and deep theology, though expressed in the simplest of terms. The authors of johns gospel are the farthest removed from the actual events of jesuss life, so its no surprise that their account tends to be a bit different than the others. The theology of the gospel of john dwight moody smith. The evangelist is certainly making a theological point in his references ences to the baptist. Other distinctive themes and there are more of these in johns gospel than in. Other distinctive themes and there are more of these in john s gospel than in any of the other three include a strong emphasis on the benefits of eternal life through following jesus. Indeed, its interesting to note that while the term kingdom is spoken by jesus 47 times in matthew, 18 times in mark, and 37 times in luke it is only mentioned 5 times by jesus in the gospel of john. John, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. Clement, eusebius who is referred to as the disciple whom jesus loved. The authors of john s gospel are the farthest removed from the actual events of jesuss life, so its no surprise that their account tends to be a bit different than the others. The gospel of john is a gospel dramatically different from the synoptic gospels. A student who relies on a concordance to study johns concept of love will be just as confused as many of the people in the book who misunderstand jesus.