The purpose and authorship of the 4th gospel: spiritual gospel Flashcards
What is the significance of Clement of Alexandria?
He was an early Christian convert who wrote about the origins of the gospels
What did Clement of Alexandria say about John?
John, aware that the physical facts had been set out in the Synoptics, was encouraged by his disciples and divinely motivated by his spirit to compose a spiritual gospel
What does Clement mean by ‘flesh and spirit’ when comparing John to the Synoptics?
The Synoptics describe JC in a fleshy way - in terms of the physical facts - but John goes for the deeper, spiritual meaning behind JC’s words and actions
Explain the idea that the Synoptics are descriptive but John is reflective
The Synoptics record the ipsissima verba (true words) of Jesus, whereas John records the ipsissima vox (the true voice, the intention behind JC’s words)
What does Protestant Reformer John Calvin say about John?
It is the key which opens the door to understanding the other gospels
Give the example of John being more spiritually sophisticated than the Synoptics
When JC is described as the pre-existent Logos in the prologue, who participated in creation and was active throughout the OT. None of the Synptics come close to this view, meaning the idea was probably developed over time
How is John mutlifaceted?
It is simple and direct enough that anyone can understand it, but it also has deeper meanings and can be understood on multiple levels
Explain how the spiritual depth of John caused some members of the JCom to get carried away in the 2nd century?
The Gnostics split off, taking the idea of being born from spirit and eternal life to an extreme conculsion
What do the three epistles supposedly written by John do?
Condemn the gnostics and call for a correct interpretation of the 4th gospel
What is the most likely explanation for the authorship of John’s epistles?
They were written in the second century, too late for JSZ. However, it is likely that they came from the same Johannine Community that created the 4th gospel, as they wrestle with the same issues
Make the case that the 4th gospel is intended to be a spiritual gospel
- The prologue begins with a spiritual being from outside time and space
- JC repeatedly insists normal objects and activites are spiritual realities waiting to transform us
- John emphasises that there is more the Christian life than just good deeds and regular worship, pointing towards some kind of transformative eschatological experience
Make the case that the fourth gospel is not intended to be a spiritual gospel
- The spiritual realities are vague and subjective and led to disagreement within the Johannine Community - the gospels is therefore at its best when it focuses on christians loving one another
- The Synoptics do the same thing but just use the idea of repentence rather than RE. It differs in style but not in its main message about believing in Christ
