The purpose and authorship of the 4th gospel Flashcards
Who does tradition say is the writer?
John Son of Zebedee, one of JC’s 12 disciples
Who were JSZ and his older brother originally followers of?
JTB, but they both left to become JCs disciples
When and where did John die?
98 CE in Ephesus, part of modern day Turkey, this would make him in the right time and place to write it
Why is it odd that the 4th gospel is named after John?
Because it never claims to be written by him
How do some Christians point towards the epistles as evidence of John writing the gospel and how do other Christians dispute this?
There are three letters in the NT that claim to be written by John. They have similar themes and concerns to the fourth gospel and so could have been written by the same person. However, these could have simply been written by a different John, as this was a very common name at the time
Why do some Christians think that JSZ is the writer of the Book of Revelations and why do other Christians dispute this?
Because it was written by someone called John and is addressed to the churches in Turkey. However, the language and tone of revelation is different to the 4th gospel, so scholars doubt they have the same writer. This means that if JSZ did write the Book of Revelations, then they would almost definitely not be the author of the 4th gospel
How have recent discoveries about the time the gospel was written improved the chances that John is the other?
19th century scholars used to think that it was written in the very late 2nd century - far too late for JSZ to be the author. Modern scholars place it at the 90s or 100s CE, possibly within the lifetime of John
What discovery proves that the authorship of the 4th gospel is not as late as people first thought?
The Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is an ancient manuscript of a fragment of the 4th gospel which has been carbon dated to the early 2nd century
What does JAT Robinson argue in the priority of John?
That the 4th gospel dates as early as the 60s CE because it never mentions the temple destruction and shows detailed knowledge of Judea before the Jewish Revolt. He argues that JSZ is the gospel writer and the other disciple at JC’s trial
What is the main arguement against the idea that JSZ is the author and what is the counter to this?
He was a peasant fisherman from Galilee and the gospel is written to a good standard of Greek with a background knowledge of Greek philosophy. It doesn’t seem like someone with JSZ’s background would write like this. However, it is possible that in his long life JSZ could have received a good education and mastered Greek philosophy
What does the 4th gospel end by claiming?
That it was the Beloved Disciple who wrote the gospel down. Or more specifically, his followers have written it down based on his testimony
State John 21:24
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true
What are the three main theories around the identity of the BD?
JSZ, Lazarus, it is symbolic
Who supported the idea that the BD was JSZ?
Several early Christian writers, like Polycrates of Ephesus
What is the arguement for JSZ being the author of the 4th gospel?
JSZ is never mentioned in the 4th gospel, so the author must be him, by process of elimination
What is the main flaw in believing that JSZ is the author of the 4th gospel?
The beloved disciple only appears in John 13, but JSZ was a disciple from the start
Explain the idea that Lazarus was the BD
The BD only makes an appearance after Lazarus has been raised from the dead and Lazarus is three times described as the person JC loved
Explain the idea that the BD is symbolic
It might represent Christians generally - or even the reader. Perhaps the reader is supposed to identify with the BD and ‘testify to these things’ themselves by believing in JC
What does Brown believe about the authorship of the 4th gospel?
He believes it was the effort of the Johannine Community, who wrote it in stages, beginning in the 60s CE and finishing around 100 CE
What does Brown think about the history of the Johannine Community?
That they were originally followers of JTB and stayed part of the Jewish religion until the 80s CE. They believed JC to be their Messiah
What prompted Judaism to reorganise itself?
The destruction of the temple
How did Judaism change in 90 CE?
The Council of Jamnia set out new rules for Jewish worship and expelled heretics, which included Christians
What was the result of the rulings of the Council of Jamnia for the Johannine Community?
They found themselves friendless and despised. They were also in danger, as they could no longer refuse to worship the pagan Roman Gods, as they had lost their status as a religio licita. Brown thinks some of them were executed. This produced resentment towards their former Jewish friends
How was the Johannine Community’s dislike towards the Jews intensified by an influx of new members?
The new members were converted Samarians, a group who were disliked by the Jews and disliked by the Jews in return
Explain Brown’s view that the 4th gospel has a dual meaning
It doesn’t juts report the life and resurrection of JC, it also serves as an allegory for the experiences of the Johannine Community that wrote it
How does the gospels presentation of JTB link to the experiences of the Johannine Community?
The gospels starts off with JTB, because they started off as followers of JTB. It presents JTB in a positive light, as he recognises JC as the Light of the World and the Lamb of God, but they also diminish him in status, because JC, rather than JTB, is their Messiah
What is the Johannine Community reason for starting off JC’s ministry with the cleaning of the temple?
It established the theme of conflict with the Jews early on
What is the significance of John 4: 39-42 for the Johannine Community?
JC visits Samaria and makes converts there, representing the ethnic make up of the Johannine Community
What is the significance of the signs for the JCom?
They contain elements of RT, which shows JC is creating a new religion. They also involve JC ignoring the Sabbath rules
What is the significance of how the gospel presents the BD for the JCom?
The BD is always shown to be closer to JC than the other disciples, he sits with JC at supper, he is at the foot of the cross, he outruns Peter to the tomb. This represents the JCom being ahead of other Christians with their high christology
What 4 sections does Brown split the 4th gospel into?
- The Prologue (1: 1-18)
- The Book of Signs (1:19 - 12:50)
- The Book of Glory (13:1 - 20:31)
- Epilogue (John 21: 1-25)
What does Brown believe about the 4 sections of the 4th gospel?
That they probably started off as separate sources but that the final author redacted them together to form a single book
