1. Gospel of John Fourth Gospel

2. Four Parts Prologue – Jesus as Logos – John 1: 1-18 Book of Signs: 7 signs/miracles Book of Glory: Passion, Death & Resurrection Epilogue: post-Resurrection stuff

3. “Beloved Disciple” Apostle John, son of Zebedee was the author – Referring to self in documents selfish – Oblique references Corporate Writer – John & John’s own disciples after his death – Written 90-100 AD – John Rylands Greek Papyrus Eyewitness at the heart

4. Audience All Gospels have an audience John’s: self-identified Christians – Emergence of Christian identity Jewish Christians booted after Roman Revolt of 66 – Growth of Non-Jewish Christians

5. Sources Written & Oral sources in circulation – John’s own eyewitness Some common sources with Mark & Luke 3 miracles only in John: – Water into wine – Cure a man born blind – Raising of Lazarus

6. Purpose For Christians as Christians – Encourage faith Combat false ideas about Jesus Place Jesus above John the Baptist – Mandaean religion an early threat to Christianity

7. Why separate? Synoptic Gospels “seen together” & John separated Mysticism: oriented towards communion with God – Mystery: something hidden, fundamentally unknowable God’s Plan of Salvation

8. Christology Jesus Christ is God’s plan – Mediates between God & humanity Fully Human & Fully Divine in the same person – Huge early debate – Council of Chalcedon, 451 AD – Nestorian – 2 separate persons – Monophysite – 1 divine nature

9. Different Emphasis More in Jerusalem – More Jewish holidays – Mentions several Passover celebrations Early Jewish opposition – John 5: Jesus heals on the Sabbath – Authorities wanted to arrest him & stone him at earlier feasts: John 7-9 & 10

10. Different emphasis, cont’d No demonic possession stories Very expressive theology – Clear that Jesus is God’s Revelation – Jesus spells out relationship with God More focus on salvation Less focus on God’s Kingdom