III.Purpose and Historical Setting

1
III. Purpose and Historical Setting

• Purpose and Historical Setting of FG
• Evangelism Is FG primarily designed to win
  converts?
• 2030-31 seems to state evangelistic purpose.
• Textual uncertainty come to believe or
  continue believing?
• Much in FG is unsuited to evangelism.
• 2030-31 may come from Signs Source.
• Conflict with the Synagogue
• Jewish Christians being expelled from synagogue
  persecuted reluctant to profess openly
  rethinking identity.
• Council of Jamnia (c. 90) redefined Judaism
  less tolerant.
• Benediction against the Heretics excluded
  Christians from syn.
• J. L. Martyn (1968) FG as two-level drama.
• Jesus ministry authors situation.
• Controversy over healing blind man on Sabbath
  (ch. 9).
• Key is 922 parents refuse to give opinion about
  Jesus for fear that the Jews will expel them
  from synagogue (cf. v. 28-29, 34).
• Language is anachronistic the Jews formal
  decision to ban believers in Jesus.

2

• Purpose and Historical Setting (cont.)
• 2. Conflict with the Synagogue (cont.)
• Other evidence of church-synagogue conflict
• FG uses the Jews over 70 times usually
  hostile sense.
• Three occurrences of aposunagogos (to be put out
  of the synagogue 922 1242 162).
• References to secret believers (1242 1938).
• FG seeks to reassure Christians in face of
  threats/ accusations from Jewish synagogue.
• Concern for secret believers, Samaritans, and
  Greeks
• May be encouraging secret believers to come out
  of closet.
• Jewish authorities (1242)
• Joseph of Arimathea (1938)
• Nicodemus? (31 750-51 1939)
• Special interest in Greeks and Samaritans may
  reflect their inclusion in Johannine community.
• Samaritans (ch. 4)
• Greeks (733-36 1220-22)

3

• Purpose and Historical Setting (cont.)
• Polemic against a sect of John the Baptist
• Evidence of a continuing sect devoted to John the
  Baptist, revered as Savior and heavenly Revealer
  (Acts 191-7 etc.).
• FG emphasizes Johns subordination to Jesus,
  never reports Jesus baptism by John may be
  reassuring readers over against rival claims
  (17-8, 15, 19-34 322-30 533-36 1040-42).
• Tensions with mainstream/Petrine Christianity
• Johannine community was isolated from mainstream
  Christianity (where Peter was central authority
  figure).
• FG pits Beloved Disciple over against Peter
  (202-8 etc.).
• Champions BD as sound authority for Johannine
  community.
• Passing of first generation (2118-19, 23)
• Two problems eyewitnesses disappearing failure
  of Parousia.
• Doctrine of Paraclete (ch. 14-16) answers both.
• Anti-Gnostic polemic
• Gnostic Docetism is countered by emphasis on
  incarnation (114), reality of death (1934),
  bodily resurrection (219-14).
• FG also contains much Gnostic-sounding material.

4

• Relationship to Johannine Letters
• Authorship of the letters
• Anonymous the Elder (2, 3 John).
• Vocabulary and themes similar to FG could be
  same author.
• Differences in style and theology probably a
  different author in same community/tradition
  maybe a disciple of Evangelist knows FG
  intimately.
• Setting of the letters
• Somewhat later than FG.
• Problem is heresy resulting in schism.
• Gnostic false teaching
• Docetism denial of true humanity of Christ.
• Overly realized eschatology claim full
  salvation already now.
• Libertinism claim sinlessness but practice
  immorality.
• Elder emphasizes real incarnation, atoning
  death, future eschatology, sacraments, and
  keeping commandments (esp. love).
• Schismatics developed into Gnostic Christianity.
• Elders group was absorbed into mainstream
  Christianity.

5

• History of Johannine Community (Culpepper, pp.
  54-61)
• Origins Group formed around BD in Judea.
• Early period within synagogue
• Moved to Antioch/Syria still in synagogue.
• Preached Jesus as fulfillment of messianic hopes.
• Used signs to impress Jews.
• Signs source developed into Signs Gospel.
• Middle period formation of Johannine Community
• Exclusion from synagogue.
• Secret believers remain in synagogue.
• Others form community around Beloved Disciple.
• Preaching on words/deeds of Jesus shapes
  tradition.
• Dualistic language reflects division from
  unbelievers.
• Persecution forces move to Ephesus.
• Basic FG written in response.

6

• History of Johannine Community cont.
• 4. Middle period second generation
• Death of BD prompts reflection on Paraclete.
• Egalitarian structure.
• Concern for unity and love within community.
• Rival claims from Petrine churches.
• Late period schism
• Emergence of heretical, Gnostic group.
• Led to schism.
• 1 2 John warn against heresy.
• Jn. 11-18 651-58 ch. 21 references to BD
  added.
• Community is wrecked by dissension.
• Elders group absorbed into mainstream
  Christianity.
• Opponents moved into Gnostic groups.

7
John 2030-31

• 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
  of his disciples, which are not written in this
  book.
• 31 But these are written so that you may come to
  believe b that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of
  God, and that through believing you may have life
  in his name.
• b Other ancient authorities read may continue to
  believe.

8
Benediction against the Heretics

• And for apostates let there be no hope
• and may the insolent kingdom be quickly uprooted,
  in our days.
• And may the Nazarenes and the heretics perish
  quickly
• and may they be erased from the Book of Life
• and may they not be inscribed with the righteous.
• Blessed art thou, Lord, who humblest the
  insolent.
• (Culpepper, The Gospel and Letters of John, p. 44)

9
John 922

• 22 His parents said this because they were afraid
  of the Jews for the Jews had already agreed that
  anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah
  would be put out of the synagogue.

10
Secret Believers

• 1242 Nevertheless many, even of the authorities,
  believed in him. But because of the Pharisees
  they did not confess it, for fear that they would
  be put out of the synagogue
• 1938 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea,
  who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one
  because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to
  let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave
  him permission so he came and removed his body.