Authorship and Purpose of John's Gospel Flashcards
What is the evidence that John the apostle is the author?
Internal:
- The author is described as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23).
- The Gospel also includes details that only an eyewitness could know, such as the type of wood used for the cross.
- “He who saw it has borne witness - his testimony is true” (Jn 19:35)
External:
- Irenaeus states that John the apostle wrote the Gospel and his sources were from a Bishop of Polycarp whom was a disciple of John
What is the evidence that John the Elder is the author?
External:
- Papias mentions a John who is not an apostle, and calls him “the elder”.
What is the evidence that the Johannine community is the author?
Internal evidence:
The Johannine works contain statements that suggest they were written by an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry.
External evidence:
Early church tradition supports the idea that the Apostle John wrote the Johannine works. (E.g. Papias)
What is one purpose of the Fourth gospel?
To convert the Jews and Gentiles:
Jn 20:30-31 - “that you may believe… may have life in his name”
To convert the Jews:
- The 4th Gospel had a high Christology, written to a Jewish audience as they are more likely to question who is Christ. John’s purpose was to evangelise Jews. (Carson)
To convert the Hellenists:
- John had a Hellenist audience, the gospel was written for a group aware of their spiritual needs. The Hellenistic philosophy is similar to the style of the 4th gospel. (Dodd)
What is the second purpose of the Fourth gospel?
To show Jesus is the Messiah:
Jn 20:30-31 - “…that Jesus is the Messiah…”
Jn 1:29 - “the Lamb of G-d, who takes away the sin of the world”
Christ in the 4th Gospel:
- John’s narrative focuses on his messianic mission
The messiah hidden and revealed:
- Jesus is described in an overly messianic tone (John TB)
- There is no notion to the messianic secret within John’s gospel, as it is freely discussed
What is the third purpose of the Fourth gospel?
To show Jesus is the Son of G-d:
Jn 20:30-31 - “…that Jesus is…the Son of G-d…”
Jn 10:29 - “I and the father are one”
- Jesus reflects the character of the father through his compassion and mercy
- The son of G-d title in the 4th gospel emphasises Jesus’ relationship with G-d the father
What is the fourth purpose of the Fourth gospel?
To provide a spiritual gospel:
- Clement wrote that John had been made plain in his Gospel, and he was urged by his friends and inspired by the spirit to compose a spiritual gospel
- The synoptics are external (flesh like) while John presents something unseen and mysterious
- John was selective and did not record everything
