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. 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. 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. Again, jesus works to sustain life in the present world, even as the sign points toward the. Moody smith lucidly explains the theological ideas of the gospel of john, one of the most important documents of the new testament. Clement, eusebius who is referred to as the disciple whom jesus loved. Only the term holy spirit is used in the old testament, with the other two descriptions being totally new. Throughout christian history, the gospel of johns distinctive way of presenting the life, works, teachings, death, and resurrection of jesus have. Moloney shows how john brings gods love for the world to bear on the various aspects of the gospel. Other distinctive themes and there are more of these in johns gospel than in. Moody smith treats the theology of the gospel of john in its narrative form and historical context, both ancient jewish and early christian.
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. 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. The gospel of john is a gospel dramatically different from the synoptic gospels. The major theological themes of the gospel, especially its christology, are treated in relation to the context of the work, since. These themes intertwine and support one another throughout johns gospel. It is full of long dialogues, it speaks of signs rather than exorcisms or. 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. 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. He desired them to have joy regarding the certainty of their faith rather than being upset by the. I am going to also going to look at the main themes of these four gospels, beginning from matthew to john. No offense to harrison ford, but jesus looks just as spry in john. 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 gospel of johns distinctive way of presenting christs life, works, teachings, and death has historically set it apart from the other accounts of jesus. His work draws upon the most recent scholarly investigations of the gospel s historical purpose and setting. For a limited time only, you can get the course at a major discount. The theology of the gospel of john dwight moody smith. 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. The genius of the gospel lies in the way in which john conceives of the relationship between the human and the divine. Ridderbos, herman, the gospel of john, a theological commentary, cambridge. Introduction to the gospel of john study resources. The evangelist is certainly making a theological point in his references ences to the baptist. Analysis of gospel of john themes by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley. In this volume, leading biblical scholar richard bauckham illuminates main theological themes in the gospel of john, providing insightful analysis of key texts. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. 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. Watch the entire first lecture from our course themes in the gospel of johnnow available.
Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free. 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. Using john in the theological task today are examples. John wrote this gospel with the purpose that we might believe that jesus is the son of god. 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. His work draws upon the most recent scholarly investigations of the gospels historical purpose and setting. He shows us that jesus, though fully god, came in the flesh to distinctly and accurately reveal god, and that christ is the. The gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. It contains a variety of statements and information about jesus not contained in the synoptic gospels. The reader may well ponder the striking paradox of the above title.
These themes intertwine and support one another throughout john s gospel. 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. There is also a theme of personal coinherence, that is, the intimate personal relationship between the believer and jesus. As a shepherd, john communicated to his flock some very basic, but vitally essential, principles reassuring them regarding the basics of the faith. The gospel of mark portrays the desire of jesus to keep his identity secret.
The gospel of john and work bible commentary theology of work. 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. John s is a profound and deep theology, though expressed in the simplest of terms. 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. Johns telling of the feeding of the five thousand john 6. Throughout christian history, it has been read and cherished far more than any of the other preserved accounts of jesus life. The importance of the gospel of john can scarcely be overestimated. One of the overriding themes throughout the new testament is that jesus is the messiah.
Truth as its used in the gospel of john isnt only about listing off facts and figures. This theme has many links with the theology of the old testament and. We must also investigate the literary means through which they tell the story, the drama of the plot and the characters that are portrayed. 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. This is tape 6 of the series, the theology of the gospels. Best commentaries and books on john logos bible software. Title the title of the fourth gospel continues the pattern of the other gospels, being identified originally as according to john. 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. John emphasizes the importance of light for believers are people who walk in the light. As an eyewitness to the love and power displayed in the miracles of jesus, john gives us an upclose and personal look at christs identity. 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. 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.
Sep 21, 2018 watch the entire first lecture from our course themes in the gospel of johnnow available. 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. Euangelion kata ioannen is the fourth of the canonical gospels. Learn theological themes with free interactive flashcards.
Pdf version printable version listed below are various themes that are threaded throughout the gospel of st. In the midst of these debates, johns gospel is a thorough exploration of jesus himself. But even though this is the fourth installment, the gospel of john is no kingdom of the crystal skull. The gospel of john is the fourth gospel in the new testament. The authorship is unanimously attributed to the apostle john irenaeus, st. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for us. Explaining the differences between john and the synoptic. 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 theology of the gospel of john new testament theology. 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. In presenting this, johns gospel also makes it clear that jesus is god. Jan 18, 2019 the gospel of john was written to prove that jesus christ is the son of god. 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. John, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. To grasp the message of john writing, one must search out and follow these themes through the whole of his gospel. All the themes of john s gospel relate to the one purpose of the whole work as stated in. I have taken care to restrict my research deliberately excluding the. Commentary on the gospel of john, major themes signs done before eyewitnesses jesus as christ messiah and son of god the receiving of eternal. 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. In this paper, we will address the theological themes in johns gospel.
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. 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. First john also is pastoral, written from the heart of a pastor who has concern for his people. Christology in the fourth gospel thoughts of a living. The theme of purification recurs in johns gospel on many occasions. Again, jesus works to sustain life in the present world, even as the sign points toward the ultimate life he alone can offer. 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.
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. 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. However, i have also sought to include a brief discussion of some of the important theological and practical themes, especially as. He is referring to a spiritual life with god that continues even after death. 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. 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 book went through two to three stages, or editions, before reaching its current form, at the latest, around ad 80100. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. The epistles of john show jesus as the way, the truth and the life. When jesus talks about eternal life, he doesnt mean that well all be immortal after all, there can be only one.
In presenting this, john s gospel also makes it clear that jesus is god. It has been seen as the most theological of the four canonical gospels. It is my suggestion that john addressed this problem in his own gospel in an interesting way. This study is structured around the chronology of pauls life. In the midst of these debates, john s gospel is a thorough exploration of jesus himself. All the themes of johns gospel relate to the one purpose of the whole work as stated in.