Lesson&#1& Introduc)ontotheJohannineCanon* andthegospel&according&to&john& Introduc+on"

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Lesson&#1& Introduc)on*to*the*Johannine*Canon* and*the*gospel&according&to&john& Introduc+on""

Jemimah Matthews
5 years ago
Views:

1 Lesson&#1& Introduc)on*to*the*Johannine*Canon* and*the*gospel&according&to&john& 1"

2 Welcome*to*our*study*of*The& Gospel&according&to&John,*the* first*in*this*series*on*the* Johannine*Canon, *which* includes:* 1. The*Gospel*according*to*John* 2. 1,*2*and*3*John* 3. Revela)on*(or* The*Apocalypse )* I m*delighted*to*be*back*from* sabba)cal,*and*i m*happy*to* rejoin*you*in*class*with*my* familiar*graduate*assistants*.*.*.* and*the*dog!**** 2"

3 Hello,*again,*folks.** Good*to*be*back!" Yes,*we*did!* We*had*a*nice* vaca)on!* 3"

4 So,*let s*get*right*to*it!* The*Johannine*canon*consists*of*the*Gospel& according&to&john;*1,&2&and&3&john;*and*the*book& of&revela>on.**as*we*have*noted*many*)mes,*all* art literary,*musical*and*visual mirrors*the* )me*and*culture*from*which*it*emerges,*and* Scripture*is*no*excep)on.**As*the*early*Church* spread*throughout*the*roman*empire*in*the* second*half*of*the*first*century,*the*teaching*and* preaching*of*the*apostles*and*others*brought* the*gospel*message*to*an*enormously*diverse* audience*of*both*jew*and*gen)le,*spread* geographically*from*jerusalem,*damascus*and* An)och*in*the*east;*Alexandria,*Cyrene*and* Carthage*in*the*south;*Mauretania,*Spain*and* Gaul*in*the*west;*and*St.*Paul s*mission*field*of* Asia*Minor,*Macedonia,*Achaia*and*Rome*in*the* north.** 4"

5 5"

6 When*we*studied*the*synop)c*gospels MaYhew,*Mark*and*Luke we*learned* that*a* gospel *is*not*a*biography*of*a* person,*although*it*does*contain* biographical*informa)on;*it*is*not*an* historical*account*of*a*person,*although*it* is*rooted*in*historical*)me;*it*is*not*a* fic)onal*account*of*a*person,*although*it* does*include*miracles,*wonders*and*the* large*dose*of*the*supernatural;*rather,*a* gospel *is*an*account*of*the* good* news *of*the*coming*kingdom*of*god*and* of*the*redemp)on*of*humanity*through* the*life,*death,*burial*and*resurrec)on*of* Jesus*Christ,*as&seen&through&the&eyes&of& a&living&faith&tradi>on,&guided&by&the& Holy&Spirit,&30E60&years&aGer&the&events&it& portrays.** 6"

7 Hundreds*of** church *communi)es*took* root*throughout*the*roman*empire*in*the* fer)le*soil*of*the*gospel*message,*but* each*of*those*communi)es*experienced* and*lived*that*message*within*its*own* historical,*poli)cal*and*cultural*context.** Although*the*core*gospel*message*was* the*same,*each*community*experienced* and*understood*that*message*differently:** a*highly*educated,*urban*community*in* Carthage*or*Ephesus,*for*example,*might* view*the*gospel*very*differently*from*one* in*an*pre]literate,*remote*agricultural* area*of*eastern*cappodocia.*** 7"

8 Consequently,*each*Chris)an*community* experienced*and*lived*the*gospel*message* through*its*own*interpreta)ve*lens.**it* wouldn t*be*un)l*the*4 th *century*that*a*series* of*seven*ecumenical*councils*(a.d.*325]787)* began*defining*precisely*who*christ*is*and* what*he*did,*in*a*manner*that*most*church* communi)es*could*agree*upon.* 1. 1 st *Council*of*Nicaea*(A.D.*325)* 2. 1 st *Council*of*Constan)nople*(A.D.*381)* 3. Council*of*Ephesus*(A.D.*431)* 4. Council*of*Chalcedon*(A.D.*451)* 5. 2 nd *Council*of*Constan)nople*(A.D.*553)* 6. 3 rd *Council*of*Constan)nople*(A.D.*680)* 7. 2 nd *Council*of*Nicaea*(A.D.*787)* 8"

9 Humm.**I*had*never* thought*about*how* diverse*the*gospel* message*understood*was* during*the*early*centuries* of*the*church." Neither*did*I.* 9"

10 It s*important*to*understand*that*there*were*also** hundreds&of* Chris)an *works*wriyen*during*the* first*three*centuries*of*the*church,*so*which*ones* should*be*considered* scripture, *by*what*criteria,* and*by*what*communi)es*was*an*open*ques)on.* St.*Athanasius,*Bishop*of*Alexandria,*in*his*Easter* leyer*of*a.d.*367,*offered*a*list*of*the*27*books*that* would*later*become*the* New*Testament, *and*he* used*the*term canonized *[kanonizovmena]*in* reference*to*them.* Then,*when*Pope*St.*Damasus*commissioned*St.* Jerome*to*translate*the*27*Greek* scriptures *into* La)n*in*A.D.*383,*that*added*to*their*standing.* Finally,*in*A.D.*393*the*Council*of*Hippo,*called*by*St.* Augus)ne,*officially*recognized*the*27*books*offered* by*st.*athanasius*and*translated*by*jerome*as* canonical*scripture which*they*are*to*this*day.* 10"

11 So,*it*took*a*long*)me* for*the*27*books*of*the* New*Testament*to*be* recognized*as* Not*me.** canonical. " It*sure*did!* 11"

12 And*it*took*an*even*longer* )me*for*the*church*to* agree*upon*an* understanding*of*the*key* issues*in*those*27*books." Not*me.** Especially*the*issue* of*who*jesus*is*and* what*he*did!* 12"

13 Consider*The&Gospel&according&to&John the* jewel*in*the*crown*of*the*johannine*canon as*an*example.*** When*we*move*from*the*synop)c*gospels* to*john s*gospel,*we*enter*a*different* universe!*** In*John s*gospel*jesus*does*not*speak*in* neat*aphorisms*or*clever*parables*as*he* does*in*the*synop)c*gospels,*nor*does*he* engage*the*pharisees*and*sadducees*in* clever*banter;*rather,*jesus*seyles*into*long* discourses,*heavy*with*theological*content* and*weighty*with*abstract*metaphors*like* life, * light, *and* truth, *all*combined*in* complex*payerns*with* seeing, * believing * and* knowing. * 13"

14 Whereas,*in*the*synop)c*gospels*Jesus*speaks*of* the*coming*kingdom*of*god,*in*john s*gospel*the* Kingdom*of*God*has*already&come*in*the*person* of*the*divine*word,*of*jesus*himself.* In*John,*Jesus*self]referen)al*speech*illuminates* a*fundamental,*metaphysical*dualism:**humanity* faces*a*choice*between*what*is*from*above*and* what*is*from*below;*what*is*light*and*what*is* dark;*what*is*true*and*what*is*false;*what*is*life* and*what*is*death.* Jesus*himself*intersects*this*dualis)c*universe* like* Jacob s*ladder *intersects*heaven*and*earth* in*genesis*28.**jesus*is*the*one*who*comes*down* from*heaven*to*reveal*himself*and*to*reveal*the* Father,*and*when*he*finishes*his*work,*he* returns*to*heaven*and*to*the*father.*** 14"

15 Wow!**That s*really* heavy*stuff!" Not*me.** You*can*say*that* again!* 15"

16 In*the*past,*many*scholars*thought*that* such*a* high *Christology*must*have*must* been*greatly*influenced*by*later*platonic* thought*and*developed*over*a*long*period* of*)me,*sugges)ng*that*john s*gospel*was* wriyen*perhaps*during*the*2 nd *or*even*the* 3 rd *century*a.d.* But*with*the*discovery*of*the*Dead*Sea* Scrolls*in*1946]1956,*we*know*that*this* dualis)c*world*view*so*prominent*in*john s* gospel*was*even*more*sharply*present*in* the*wri)ngs*from*qumran,*which*were* contemporary*with*jesus*himself.* 16"

17 The*War*of*the*Sons*of*Light*against*the*Sons*of*Darkness, *(1QM),*c.*middle*1 st *century*b.c* *A.D.*10.* Shrine*of*the*Book,*Israel*Museum,*Jerusalem.* 17"

18 The*Qumran* War*Scroll *presents*an* apocalyp)c*vision*of*an*end])me,* cataclysmic*war*between*the*sons*of*light* and*the*sons*of*darkness.**in*the*end,*the* Sons*of*Darkness*are*destroyed*and*the* Sons*of*Light*live*in*peace*for*all*eternity.* Add*to*that,*a*fragment*of*John s*gospel* discovered*in*egypt*in*the*1920s and* currently*at*the*john*rylands*library*in* Manchester,*England which*is*dated** c.*a.d.*125,*demonstra)ng*that*john s* gospel*was*completed*some)me*around* the*end*of*the*1 st *century*or*beginning*of* the*2 nd.* 18"

19 The*Gospel*according*to*John* This*is*the*oldest*exis)ng*manuscript*of*the*new*Testament,** a*fragment*of*the&gospel&according&to&john,*a.d.*125*(john*18:*31]34;*37]38).** John*Rylands*Library,*Manchester,*England.* 19"

20 So,*that*suggests*that*the* high * Christology*we*see*in*the*Johannine* canon*coeexisted&with*the* understanding*of*christ*that*we*see* Not*me.** in*the*synop)c*gospels!" Wow!*Who*would* have*thought* that!* 20"

21 In*our*study*of*the*synop)c*gospels MaYhew,*Mark*and*Luke we* recognize*that*all*three*draw*from* similar*sources,*based*almost* certainly*on*the*oral*teaching*and* preaching*of*the*apostles*and* others*between*a.d.*33]75.* Their*rela)onship*looks*something* like*this:* 21"

22 The*Synop)c*Gospels* MaYhew,*Mark*&*Luke* 22"

23 Although*each*of*the*synop)c* gospels*draws*upon*similar* source*material,*each*gospel* writer*addresses*very*different* audiences*for*very*different* purposes,*and*each*writer*uses* very*different*narra)ve*and* stylis)c*strategies*to*tell*his* story.* 23"

24 Although*emerging*only*a*few*decades*later,* John s*gospel*sits*en)rely*outside*this*tradi)on.* Most*scholars*place*the*gospel s*composi)on* somewhere*between*a.d.*90]100,*with*the* outermost*limits,*a.d.*75]110,*and*although* modern*scholarship*struggles*with*the*process*of* the*gospel s*composi)on,*the*early*church* consistently*iden)fied*john,*son*of*zebedee,* the* disciple*whom*jesus*loved, *who*was* reclining* next*to*him *at*the*last*supper*(john*13:*23),*as* its*author.**as*early*as*a.d.*180]200,*st.*irenaeus* tells*us*that*john*lived*on*at*ephesus*into*the* reign*of*trajan*(a.d.*98]117)*and*that*he*wrote* his*gospel*during*that*)me. 1 *** 1 *Eusebius,*the*ancient*church*historian,*men)ons*that*John*returned*to*Ephesus* from*his*exile*on*patmos*arer*the*death*of*domi)an,*and*he*gives*irenaeus*and* Clement*of*Alexandria*as*his*sources*(see*Ecclesias>cal&History,*III,*xxiii,*1]2),*while* Irenaeus*himself*tells*us*that*the*Apostle*John*authored*the*gospel*during*that* )me*(adv.&haer.,*iii,*1:1).* 24"

25 It*amazes*me*that*such*very* different*views*of*christ*could*co] exist!**it*stresses,*too,*that*what*we* understand*about*christ*involved*a* lengthy*process,*guided*by*the*holy* Not*me.** Spirit,*that*stretched*across* centuries." And*it s*s)ll*going* on*today!* 25"

26 Scripture* Tradi)on* 26"

27 So,*let s*look*specifically*at* how*john s*gospel*presents*his* unique*understanding*of*jesus.* 27"

28 All*three*synop)c*gospels*display*linear* narra)ves.**mayhew*and*luke*begin*with* genealogies,*mayhew s*star)ng*with* Abraham*and*moving*to*Jesus,*and*Luke s* star)ng*with*jesus*and*moving*backward*to* Adam.**Mark*simply*starts*his*gospel*with*a* drama)c*proclama)on Beginning*the* gospel*of*jesus*christ,*son*of*god skipping* any*genealogy*at*all.* Each*synop)c*gospel*then*moves* chronologically*from*jesus *birth*through*his* death,*burial*and*resurrec)on,*and*each* moves*geographically&from*galilee*to* Jerusalem.* If*we*only*had*the*synop)c*gospels,*we* would*think*that*jesus *public*ministry*lasted* only*one*year.* 28"

29 John*begins*his*gospel,*not*with*a* genealogy,*but*with*a*prologue*that* equates*jesus*with*god*himself:* In&the&beginning&was&the&Word,& and&the&word&was&with&god,& and&the&word&was&god&.&.&.& and&the&word&became&flesh& and&dwelt&among&us&.&.&.&& full&of&grace&and&truth. & * * * *(1:*1,*14,*18)* 29"

30 We*will*examine*John s*prologue*in* detail*in*lesson*#2,*but*here s*how*it* works:* In*v.*1*we*read,* In*the*beginning*was*the* Word,*and*the*Word*was*with*God*and*the* Word*was*God. **The*verb*was*drives*verse*1.** In*English,* was *is*a*simple*past*tense,*but* the*greek*is*in*the*imperfect&tense.**this* presents*a*very*important*gramma)cal* dis)nc)on.**while*the*past*tense*in*english* describes*a*simple*ac)on*that*took*place*in* the*past*( Dr.*Creasy*spoke*last*week. ),*the* Greek*imperfect*tense*portrays*an*ac)on*in& progress.*** 30"

31 When*John*says,* In*the*beginning*was*the* Word*.*.*. *the*word*existed*in*the*past*from* some*indeterminate*point*in*)me;*it*exists*in* the*present;*and*it*con)nues*to*exist*into*the* future.**the*english*past*tense*presents*a* snapshot*of*a*past*event;*the*greek*imperfect* tense*presents*a*moving*picture.** The*imperfect*tense*in*verse*1*has*significant* exege)cal*implica)ons.**it*tells*us*that*we*can* look*back*into*the*past*as*far*as*we*want* (indeed,*star)ng*the*prologue*with* In*the* beginning *invites*us*to*journey*back*prior*to* Genesis*1:*1)*and*the*Word*walks*out*of* eternity*to*greet*us;*or*we*can*look*into*the* future*as*far*as*we*can,*and*the*word*is*there* wai)ng*to*meet*us.** 31"

32 Furthermore,*John*tells*us*that* the* Word*was*with*God *and*the* Word* was*god, *thus*equa)ng*the*two:** Word*=*God.**Keeping*the*verbs* parallel*and*in*the*imperfect*tense* throughout*the*verse*tells*us*that*this* equa)on*did*not*happen*at*some* par)cular*point*in*)me;*it*was*always* this*way.** 32"

33 Consequently,*when*John*says*in*verse*14,* And*the*Word*became*flesh*and*dwelt* among*us, *he*makes*an*astounding*claim:**if* Word*=*God,*and*the*Word*became*flesh*and* dwelt*among*us,*then&god&became&one&of&us& and&lived&among&us.**(if*a,*word*=*b,*god;* and*if*a,*word*=*c,*flesh;*then*b,*god*must*=* C,*flesh.)*** In*addi)on,*the*imperfect*tense*throughout* verse*1*tells*us*that*when*the*word*became* flesh,*that* flesh *wasn t*a*new*crea)on,*but* a*different*manifesta)on*of*the*eternally* exis)ng*god.** Thus,*in*his*Prologue*John*makes*the* staggering*claim*that*jesus*is*god,*manifested* in*the*flesh;*in*these*verses*john*explicitly* sets*forth*the*divinity*of*christ.** 33"

34 Holy*Cow!* 34"

35 That*is*an*astounding* claim,*one*that*views* Jesus*very*differently* from*mayhew,*mark* Not*me.** or*luke." You*can*say*that* again!* 35"

36 That*is*an*astounding* claim,*one*that*views* Jesus*very*differently* from*mayhew,*mark* Not*me.** or*luke." Duh!* 36"

37 And*no)ce*how*important*the*dic)on* and*grammar*are*in*understanding* the*full*implica)on*of*john s* statement*in*his*prologue.*** This*will*be*a*consistent*feature*of* John s*gospel.* 37"

38 If*I*were*going*to*teach*you*Koine* Greek that*is,*biblical*greek I* would*use*the&gospel&according& to&john*and*1,&2&and*3&john.**their* dic)on,*grammar*and*sentence* structure*are*simple*and*easy*to* understand,*decep)vely*so.* For*beneath*the*surface,*John s* gospel*has*layer*upon*layer*of* subtle)es,*nuances*and*allusions.** John s*gospel,*in*par)cular,*is* more*akin*to*poetry*than*it*is*to* prose.**it*is*a*major*work*of* world]class*literature.* 38"

39 Structurally,*John*begins*his*gospel* with*a*prologue*and*he*ends*it*with* an*epilogue;*in*between*we*follow* Jesus*and*his*disciples*through*three* increasingly*detailed*cycles*of*jewish* fes)vals.**we*might*visualize*the* gospel s*architecture*like*this:* Prologue*(1:1]18)* *A*Cycle**(1:19]2:12)* *B*Cycle*(2:13]5:47)* *C*Cycle*(6:1]20:31)* Epilogue*(21:1]25)* 39"

40 In*the*synop)c*gospels*Jesus *ministry*centers* in*galilee;*in*john s*gospel*he*moves*back* and*forth*between*galilee*and*judea,* spending*the*majority*of*his*)me*in*judea.* Jesus*appears*first*in*Judea,*and*then*he*goes*to* Galilee*(1:*28,*43);* he*makes*a*brief*trip*to*jerusalem*for*passover* (2:*13);* while*there*he*purifies*the*temple*(2:*13]22),*a* scene*the*synop)c*gospels*put*at*the*end*of*jesus * ministry,*not*at*the*beginning;* Jesus*moves*from*Jerusalem*to*Judea*(3:*22),*and* then*from*judea*back*to*galilee*through*samaria* (4:*3,*45);* Jesus*returns*to*Jerusalem*for*another*fes)val*(5:* 1);* 40"

41 for*his*second*passover*(6:*4)*jesus*heads*back*to* Galilee*(6:*1);** he*then*goes*to*jerusalem*for*the*feast*of* Tabernacles*(7:*1]10)*and*he*remains*there* through*the*rededica)on*of*the*temple*(10:*22);** finally,*jesus*moves*from*jerusalem*to*judea,* where*he*travels*about*un)l*his*final*passover*(12:* 12).** 41"

42 In*John s*gospel:* 1. Jesus*centers*his*public*ministry*in* Judea,*not*Galilee;* 2. Jesus *ministry*lasts*three*years,* not*one;* 3. Jesus *ministry*links*inextricably*to* three*cycles*of*judaism s* pilgrimage*fes)vals.* 42"

43 Let*me*present*one*more* example*of*johannine* composi)on:**a*por)on*of* the*story*of*nicodemus,* which*begins*with*john*2:*23* and*extends*through*3:*21.*** Here*is*the*beginning:* 43"

44 While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well. [But] there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born [again]. Nicodemus said to him, How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother s womb and be born again, can he? (2: 23-3: 4) 44"

45 As*the*story*opens*at*Passover*in* Jerusalem,*we*learn*that*many*people* believed*in*jesus*because*of*the* miraculous*signs*he*was*doing,*but*jesus* did*not*trust*such*superficial*faith.**anyone* whose*faith*is*based*on*seeing*a* miraculous*sign *will*lose*that*faith*as* quickly*as*he*received*it!*** In*contrast*to*such*people,*we*meet* Nicodemus.**An*adversa)ve*de&in*the* Greek beyer*translated* but introduces*him:** [But]*there&was&a& Pharisee&named&Nicodemus,&a&ruler&of&the& Jews. *(3:1).**In*contrast*to*the* many* people, *Nicodemus*is*clearly*a*man*of* intellect*and*elevated*posi)on.**he*comes* to*jesus*at*night*with*a*ques)on.* 45"

46 No)ce*that*he*comes*at*night,*not*because* he*fears*the*people*(like*them,*he*is* fascinated*with*jesus)*or*the*religious* leaders*(arer*all,*he*is*one*of*them);* rather,*he*comes*for*a*private* conversa)on,*for*more*informa)on*about* an*important*ques)on.*no)ce*how*he* begins:** Rabbi,&we&know&that&you&are&a& teacher&who&has&come&from&god&.&.&.. &&&& But*this*is*not*a*ques)on;*it*is*a*statement and*an*odd*one*at*that.**what*does* Nicodemus*really*want*here?**Perhaps*if* we*read*between*the*lines:** Rabbi,*we* know*you*are*a*teacher*come*from*god,* but*are*you*the*teacher*come*from*god,* promised*in*deuteronomy*18:*15?** 46"

47 Before*Nicodemus*can*finish,* however,*jesus*replies,* Amen,& amen,&i&say&to&you&no&one&can&see& the&kingdom&of&god&without&being& born&[again] &(3:*3).*** On*the*face*of*it,*Jesus *reply*makes* no*sense*whatsoever;*it*seems*to* be*a*complete*non&sequitur.**yet* Nicodemus*follows*it*up:** How&can& a&person&once&grown&old&be&born& again?&&surely&he&cannot&reenter&his& mother s&womb&and&be&born&again,& can&he? &(3:4).** 47"

48 Don t*conclude*that*nicodemus*is*naïve*or* foolish;*he*is*neither.**later*in*verse*11*jesus* makes*that*clear*when*he*says*of*himself*and* Nicodemus,* we&speak&of&what&we&know. &&& No,*Nicodemus s*ques)on*has*to*do*with*how* one*enters*the*kingdom*of*god,*and*jesus* sees*straight*through*the*indirec)on*to*the* heart*of*the*mayer.**when*he*tells* Nicodemus*that*he*must*be* born*again, * Nicodemus*rightly*understands*that*to*mean* he*must*start*anew.**but*how*can*an*old*man* steeped*in*the*law,*shaped*by*history*and* rooted*in*tradi)on*toss*all*of*his*beliefs* overboard*and*adopt*a*completely*new* paradigm?**that*would*be*as*impossible*as* reentering*his*mother s*womb*and*beginning* life*again!* 48"

49 Jesus*agrees*when*he*says,* Amen,&amen,&I& say&to&you,&no&one&can&enter&the&kingdom&of& God&without&being&born&of&water&and&Spirit.&& What&is&born&of&flesh&is&flesh&and&what&is& born&of&spirit&is&spirit &(3:*5]6).*** No)ce*that*in*Jesus *first*response*he*says,* Amen,&amen,&I&say&to&you,&no&one&can&see* the&kingdom&of&god&.&.&., &and*here*he*says,* Amen,&amen,&I&say&to&you,&no&one&can&enter* the&kingdom&of&god&.&.&.. &&Moving*from* see *to* enter *gets*us*closer*to* Nicodemus *real*ques)on:** How*can*I* [Nicodemus]*enter*the*kingdom*of*God. *** If*our*reading*is*correct,*this*is*a*remarkable* statement*coming*from*a*member*of*the* Jewish*ruling*council,*a*man*steeped*in*a* life)me*of*learning,*tradi)on*and*religion.* 49"

50 At*the*next*moment*we*might* envision*a*random*breeze*rustling*the* trees*and*both*nicodemus*and*jesus* looking*upward*as*jesus*says,* The& wind&blows&where&it&wills,&and&you&can& hear&the&sound&it&makes,&but&you&do& not&know&where&it&comes&from&or& where&it&goes;&so&it&is&with&everyone& who&is&born&of&the&spirit &(3:*8).*** This*is*how*one*is*born*again.**It*is*not* something*you*can*affect;*it*is*the* work*of*the*spirit,*and*you*can*no* more*control*it*than*you*can*control* the*wind.* 50"

51 This*is*superb*story*telling,*and* we*will*examine*the*en)re* Nicodemus*episode*in*detail*in* Lesson*#4.* For*now,*no)ce*how*our* narrator*draws*us*into*the*story,* forcing*us*to* fill*in*the*gaps, * imagine*the*conversa)on,*see* the*sexng*and*dig*beneath*the* surface*of*the*narra)ve.* 51"

52 Simon*RaYle,*the*seasoned* conductor*of*the*berlin* Philharmonic,*once*advised*the* rising,*young*maestro,*robin* Ticcia),*on*conduc)ng*Mozart s* Il&Sogno&di&Scipione:** It*is*not* enough*to*just*play*the* notes*.*.*..**for*this*music*to* work,*you*have*to*understand* the*grammar,*the*rhetoric,*the* phrasing,*the*ar)cula)on.** Otherwise*this*piece*is*non] existent. * 52"

53 And*Robin*Ticcia)*observed,*in* turn:*** I*might*read*a*symphony* score*for*the*first*)me*and*read* it*like*a*novel,*and*get*awash* with*feelings.**and*then*i*might* look*at*it*going,* humm,*so*there* it*goes*to*the*supertonic,*he s* used*that*inversion*to*get*to* there,*there s*a*three]bar* phrase,*there s*a*seven]bar* phrase***.*.*.. **I*might*have*a* month*of*reading*.*.*.*and*then* gradually*i ll*put*it*together. 1 * 1 *Clemency*Burton]Hill,* Maestrochef, **** Intelligent&Life,*April/May*2015.* 53"

54 So*it*is*with*the*Johannine*wri)ngs,* especially**the&gospel&according&to& John.**As*a*literary*work,*The&Gospel& according&to&john&stands*shoulder*to* shoulder*with*the*greatest*works*of* ancient*literature.**in*its*final*form,*it* is*a*remarkably*unified*work*with*a* simple*narra)ve*strategy*and*a* decep)vely*simple*prose*style.**yet,* of*all*the*wri)ngs*in*the*new* Testament,*The&Gospel&According&to& John*is*the*most*subtle*and*mul)] layered,*moving*us*into*profoundly* in)mate*moments*with*jesus*and*his* disciples.* 54"

55 In*it*we*see*Jesus*through*the*eyes* of*an*old*man*remembering*precious* moments*from*long*ago,*moments* shaped*through*decades*of* reflec)on*and*recalled*with*a* Prous)an*longing.**In*The&Gospel& According&to&John,*we*probe*the*very* depths*of*who*jesus*is.&&in*biblical* iconography,*mayhew*appears*as*a* lion,*mark*as*an*ox*and*luke*as*a* man.**john*rightly*appears*as*an* eagle,*for*in*so*many*ways,*he*soars* above*the*rest.* 55"

56 1. In*what*ways*are*the*synop)c*gospels MaYhew,* Mark*and*Luke alike?* 2. In*what*ways*do*the*synop)c*gospels*differ?* 3. The*Johannine*canon*differs*profoundly*from*anything* else*in*the*new*testament.**how?* 4. How*would*you*describe*Jesus,*as*he*is*introduced*in* John s*prologue?* 5. How*does*the*story*of*Nicodemus*force*us*to*probe* beneath*the*surface*of*the*narra)ve?* 56"

57 Copyright* *2016*by*William*C.*Creasy* * All* rights* reserved.* No* part* of* this* course audio,* video,* photography,* maps,* )melines* or* other* media may* be* reproduced*or*transmiyed*in*any*form*by*any*means,*electronic* or* mechanical,* including* photocopying,* recording* or* by* any* informa)on* storage* or* retrieval* devices* without* permission* in* wri)ng*or*a*licensing*agreement*from*the*copyright*holder.* 57"

Lesson&#12& Parables,&Part&2& (15:&1& &19:&27)&

Lesson&#12& Parables,&Part&2& (15:&1& &19:&27)& 1" On#the#journey#to#Jerusalem,#Jesus#enthralled#the#crowds#with#his# teaching,#responding#to#ques9ons#people#asked#him,#commen9ng#on# current#events#and#warning#the#crowds#of#conflict#to#come.##his#teaching#