New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

The Gospel of the Beloved Disciple

Distinct Differences Gospels/John Why is John so different? Why is John so different? Who was the author? –anonymous; disciple whom Jesus loved, beloved disciple, tradition=John (which one?) Who was the author? –anonymous; disciple whom Jesus loved, beloved disciple, tradition=John (which one?) Purpose of writing: Jn 20:30f Purpose of writing: Jn 20:30f

John’s distinctiveness How is John distinct? --Jn. 1:1-18 prologue How is John distinct? --Jn. 1:1-18 prologue In the beginning  Gen. 1:1; In the beginning  Gen. 1:1; Word becomes flesh dwells among his people Word becomes flesh dwells among his people Word as Logos Word as Logos Jesus (Word) reveals God Jesus (Word) reveals God Word identified with God himself Word identified with God himself Word becomes flesh (1:14) Word becomes flesh (1:14) 1:18 no one has seen the Father except Word who makes him known 1:18 no one has seen the Father except Word who makes him known

John’s distinctiveness Prologue Prologue Jesus becomes bridge between God and humanity (Word become flesh) Jesus becomes bridge between God and humanity (Word become flesh) Possible responses to Jesus outlined there: rejection, his children etc. Possible responses to Jesus outlined there: rejection, his children etc.

Structure The book of Signs (1-12) The book of Signs (1-12) The book of Glory (13-21) The book of Glory (13-21)

Key Texts in John Chap 3 – Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night; Jesus confronted by Pharisee at night Chap 3 – Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night; Jesus confronted by Pharisee at night Chap 4 – the Samaritan woman at the well Chap 4 – the Samaritan woman at the well Chap – Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples Chap – Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples Chap 21 – Jesus reinstates Peter Chap 21 – Jesus reinstates Peter

John emphasizes: “I AM… …the bread of life” (6.35) …the bread of life” (6.35) …the light of the world” (8.12) …the light of the world” (8.12) …the door” (10.9) …the door” (10.9) …the good shepherd” (10.11) …the good shepherd” (10.11) …the resurrection and the life” (11.25) …the resurrection and the life” (11.25) …the way, the truth and the life” (14.6) …the way, the truth and the life” (14.6) …the true vine” (15.1) …the true vine” (15.1)

John Emphases Stress on Jesus’ deity: Jn 1:1 Stress on Jesus’ deity: Jn 1:1 Thomas “My Lord and my God” Thomas “My Lord and my God” John 1:14 Word became flesh and dwell among us, we have seen his glory—cf. OT Tabernacle –God is present John 1:14 Word became flesh and dwell among us, we have seen his glory—cf. OT Tabernacle –God is present John as theological Gospel John as theological Gospel

John’s Emphases Word/Logos title for Jesus 1:1 Word/Logos title for Jesus 1:1 Logos used in OT as God’s speech Logos used in OT as God’s speech Greco-Roman also used it—Stoicism  physical world animated by Logos Greco-Roman also used it—Stoicism  physical world animated by Logos In John Jesus offers eternal life; other Gospels offer the kingdom In John Jesus offers eternal life; other Gospels offer the kingdom Promises Holy Spirit on Jesus departure Promises Holy Spirit on Jesus departure

John’s Emphases John’s Dualism John’s Dualism AboveBelow LightDarkness LifeDeath

Introduction to the Parables Parables were common with Jewish Rabbi’s Parables were common with Jewish Rabbi’s Imagery parallel to Jewish Rabbi’s (sheep, mustard seed…) Imagery parallel to Jewish Rabbi’s (sheep, mustard seed…) Distinctiveness is the message Jesus Distinctiveness is the message Jesus

Parable Hermeneutic Allegorical interpretation: second level of meaning, deeper level of meaning Allegorical interpretation: second level of meaning, deeper level of meaning Augustine’s example of Good Samaritan using allegorical method of interpretation Augustine’s example of Good Samaritan using allegorical method of interpretation

The Parable of the Good Samaritan A certain man = Adam A certain man = Adam Jerusalem = city of peace Jerusalem = city of peace Jericho = Adam’s mortality Jericho = Adam’s mortality Thieves = the devil and his angels Thieves = the devil and his angels Beat him = persuaded him to sin Beat him = persuaded him to sin Left half-dead = died spiritually Left half-dead = died spiritually Priest and Levites = OT Priest and Levites = OT Samaritan = Christ Samaritan = Christ Oil = comfort of hope Oil = comfort of hope Donkey = Christ’s incarnation Donkey = Christ’s incarnation Inn = the church Inn = the church Money = life to come Money = life to come Inkeeper = Paul Inkeeper = Paul

A Corrective to Reading Parables Adolph Jülicher: the parables are metaphors that communicate only one main point. Adolph Jülicher: the parables are metaphors that communicate only one main point. Today: the goal of the interpreter is to find the one main point communicated by Jesus in the parable. Today: the goal of the interpreter is to find the one main point communicated by Jesus in the parable. Main characters and their significance Main characters and their significance

Luke Father – God who accepts sinners who turn to him in repentance Father – God who accepts sinners who turn to him in repentance Younger Son – the one who turns to God for forgiveness Younger Son – the one who turns to God for forgiveness Older Son – the one who should respond in joy when God grants forgiveness to those who do not deserve it—no response of older son given… Older Son – the one who should respond in joy when God grants forgiveness to those who do not deserve it—no response of older son given…