Lecture Notes: The Gospel of John - Week 4

Key Topics:

• Overview of Johannine Theology
• Date and Authorship of the Gospel
• Audience and Historical Context
• Structure and Unique Features of John's Gospel
• Theological Themes and Differences from Synoptics

Overview

• Focus: Exploration of the Gospel of John, its portrayal of Jesus, and the Johannine community.
• Objective: Understanding why and for whom this gospel was written and the theological implications.

Date and Authorship

• Written around 90-100 CE, after Matthew and Luke.
• Referred to as the Fourth Gospel; traditionally attributed to Apostle John.
• Modern scholarship suggests anonymity due to lack of evidence.
• Possible authors: Lazarus, Mary Magdalene.

Place of Composition

• Uncertain, though possibilities include Rome or Ephesus.

Sources and Style

• Different from Synoptic Gospels; includes unique stories like the Wedding at Cana.
• Unique writing style; includes theological content and historical traditions.

Historical Context and Audience

• Audience: A small, expelled, Jewish-Christian community.
• Context: Expulsion from the synagogue due to their belief that Jesus is the Messiah.

Johannine Community

• Formed out of separation from Jewish synagogues.
• Reflects early Christian beliefs and experiences.

Structure of John's Gospel

Beginning

• Prologue: Introduces 'Logos' - the Word.
• Comparison to Genesis 1:1.

Ending

• Jesus appears post-resurrection, emphasizing the Holy Spirit.
• John 20:31 believed to be the original ending.

Purpose

• Encouragement to believe in Jesus as the Messiah for eternal life.

Theological Themes

Christology

• Jesus as a Jewish Messiah with divine implications.
• Emphasizes spiritual availability after death.
• Distinct theological claims compared to Synoptics.

Logos

• Central to understanding Jesus' role and mission.
• Represents the Word, Reason, or Spirit becoming flesh in Jesus.

Belief and Eternal Life

• Belief seen as relationship, not mere knowledge.
• Eternal life begins in the present.

Unique Content and I Am Sayings

Unique Stories

• Wedding at Cana: First miracle.
• Nicodemus and Samaritan Woman: Unique conversations.

I Am Sayings

• Seven statements like "I am the Bread of Life"; metaphorical meanings.

Differences from Synoptic Gospels

• Absence of Parables, Exorcisms, Beatitudes.
• Different chronology and duration of Jesus' ministry.
• Emphasizes present eschatology over future.

Last Supper and Crucifixion

• Different timeline for the Last Supper and crucifixion.
• Presents Jesus' death as symbolic of the Passover lamb.

Johannine Letters

Connection to Gospel

• Written by a different author than the Gospel, still within the Johannine community tradition.

Themes

• Address schism and the claim that Jesus did not come in the flesh.

Conclusion

• The Gospel of John provides a unique theological perspective on Jesus' life and mission.
• Encourages an understanding of Jesus as embodying the Word of God in a tangible, relatable form.
• Highlights the spiritual and relational aspects of faith and eternal life.