Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Editor's preface
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The setting and sources of Johannine theology
- 3 The themes of Johannine theology
- 4 The theology of John and the issues it raises
- List of further reading
- Index of references
- Index of modern authors
- Index of subjects
3 - The themes of Johannine theology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 December 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Editor's preface
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The setting and sources of Johannine theology
- 3 The themes of Johannine theology
- 4 The theology of John and the issues it raises
- List of further reading
- Index of references
- Index of modern authors
- Index of subjects
Summary
PRESUPPOSITIONS
Every theology or system of thought takes for granted presuppositions or axioms that are regarded as generally held or uncontestable. In John certain inherited beliefs are treated as givens. That is, they are regarded as true, even if their meaning must be debated, inasmuch as the coming of Jesus Christ has upset all human presuppositions, axioms, and expectations. For John, Jesus Christ is the negation and judgment of this world insofar as it is independent of, and over against, God.
God
To mention God invites the question of the sense in which the existence and rule of God are axiomatic for the Fourth Gospel. Obviously, if the fourth evangelist were asked whether he believed in God, he would affirm such belief, but might counter by asking the questioner what God he or she believes in and how that belief could be validated. The fundamental question of the Fourth Gospel is the question of God, not whether a god exists but who is God and how God reveals himself. Thus the fundamental question or issue of the Gospel can be stated as the nature of revelation. What God is revealed, and how is God revealed?
Should one answer for John that the God revealed is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as Moses and David, that answer would be correct as far as it goes.
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- Information
- The Theology of the Gospel of John , pp. 75 - 160Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1995