Analyzing the Book of John - Essay Example

“John” Lesson 3 Discussion question There emerge many differences when the book of John is brought in closecomparison with the synoptic books. Many omissions in the book of John are present in the synoptic books. Episodes of temptations of Jesus, transfiguration, the last supper and some other events are not mentioned in the book. On the other hand, John also includes some contents not found in the synoptic. He also portrays a different duration of the ministry of Jesus. With the perception of literary, the synoptic are written in the third person, hence a descriptive approach. The book of John is more of reflective. There is utilization of symbolism and double meaning, for example, referring the temple as the body, water and spirit, life and death. With reference to the use of vocabulary, there is simple use of English. Written assignment Task 1 The book of John contains immense differences that are striking and enhance its differentiation with the rest if the three gospels books. It is worth noting close to 90% of the content of this book are not found in the rest of the gospels. It makes them unique. However, the four books complement each other in delivering the message of the gospel. John provides immense information about the messiah that is unavailable in the synoptic gospels. The first three gospels are the synoptic gospels, in that they all have a common revelation and view unlike the book of John that differs significantly from the rest with close reference to themes, time of recording, content, style of writing and order of events. In the introduction section of the synoptic, the authors express about the birth of Jesus and His baptism. They are very systematic in presentation, in that Jesus is born, baptized, and then commences his ministry after temptation in the desert. They also mention the baptism of John the Baptist and the role he did play in the coming of the messiah. He continues with his ministry, until his last week, death and resurrection. All this information is detailed enough. It differs in the way John writes. The book commences with a prologue and ends with an epilogue. In between there, exists some stories of Jesus that are not related chronologically or geographically. These stories simply emphasize how the messiah engaged in different controversies with other people and the various signs that he worked. Between chapters 13-20, he explains of the in-depth stories of death and resurrection. In comparison with the synoptic that explains how Jesus went to Jerusalem at the end of his life, John’s perceive that the ministry of Jesus is mainly occurring in Jerusalem and Judaea (Ridgers, 98). John tends to assume the aspect of exorcism in the ministry of Jesus. Whereas the synoptic puts great emphasis on these miracles, john does not record them in his book. They mention of a man healed by Jesus in the region of Gadara (Mathew 8:28, Mark 5, Luke 8). Jesus also drove out demons from the Syro-Phoenician woman. There is a clear expression that the daughter was at a state of full demonization and insanity. However, Jesus heals her (Mathew 15). Even when Jesus says that he is not a position of giving children’s bread to dogs, the woman persists and continues to demand healing. Finally, she receives a two-fold blessing through healing and recommendation of her faith. The flow of events during the crucifixion moments is portrayed differently in the synoptic gospels as compared to the book of john. First, the synoptic points out only one Passover pass after Jesus commence the ministry, hence one year spent in the ministry. It is in contrast with john who notes three Passovers. Taking this fact chronologically, it is conclusive that the ministry of Jesus took three years. Jesus also carries the cross for himself in the book of john, but the synoptic introduces Simon of Cyrene who did assist him in carrying the cross (john 19). The time of the crucifixion also differs Mark talk of occurrence by 9am while john says that it is sometimes after noontime. Synoptic also notes that after resurrection, Jesus did appear to the disciples at Emmaus. John records that the first appearance were in Jerusalem. Therefore, the book of John brings along with it a whole contrast of events with close relation to the synoptic (Brown, 76). Task 2 A) The book was written in 80-110 AD, and not the subject of editing as many people do put it. It was written in Ephesus area. B) The gospel was written as a proof of the risen Chris to show that Jesus is the Son of God. John did witness the love and the power portrayed by Jesus Christ. He clearly depicts that despite the fact that Jesus was the son of God, he came in the form of flesh to reveal God power and to act as the entire source of life for forgiveness of sins. Therefore, John is writing a book for others to read and experience the love of Christ and the blessings that come along with faith in Him. C) John sends a message to the Christians for them to come to experience continuous growth in faith in Christ Jesus. He is also addressing the non-Christians, that they may come back to him again and experience the joy of being in Christ. John has a dynamic perception of faith, in that everybody has to grow continuously without wavering. Therefore, the two primary purposes were to evangelize to the non-Christians and to those in faith too. D) The new believers E) The word logos is a title of the Lord Jesus. It is the personal name of Jesus Christ. It acts as an expression of thoughts rather than a mere name of an object. It simply refers to the fact that Jesus was with God, and He was God himself, God’s incarnate in the form of flesh. Therefore, the subject logos and Jesus are similar things. Jesus is distinct and remains separate from God the father and God the Holy Spirit. F) Jesus responded that in response to the Pharisees, who were trapping him with questions. They did ask him who he was. The Pharisees were telling him that he was not yet fifty years hence, he had not seen Abraham. Nevertheless, Jesus told them that before Abraham coming, he was already there. The I AM statement as an indicator of the fact that Jesus was declaring himself as being eternal, everlasting and incarnate God. He was at a position of equating self with God as expressed in exodus 3: 14. He was in existence eternally even before Abraham times as john puts it in John1:1. The Jews did fail to capture it and that is why they almost went to the extent of considering it blasphemy. G) Mary Magdalene Lesson 3.2 Task 1 The three letters are attributed to John son of Zebedee. Task 2 The first letter addresses the false teachers and prophets or the antichrist. The letter aims to urge the Christian community only to hold and follow what they were taught and remember the presence of false teachers. It is expressed in the way they should imitate the life of Christ, living a moral life and loving one another. The second letter looks at the church exhortation, referring to it as the elected woman and her children. The church is hence advised not to follow the false people who deny incarnation reality. The third letter is addressed to Gais, who is not at the verge of following the truthful teachings and acknowledging the authority of Christ. Task 3 There are comparisons in the letters of John with relation to the church today. The church and the flock are at the dispensation of being swallowed by the false prophets, and hence they have to receive a warning of the same. Lesson 3.3 Discussion question The author of the book of revelation is Apostle John. The Bible records that he wrote it when he was a prisoner in the island of Patmos in Rome. The Island is in Aegean Sea. Written question Rev. 1:9-3:22 Any apocalyptic literature tends to perceive the world as being good and bad or divided into two camps. One camp is under jurisdiction of God while the other one is under the authority of the evil one. It has a perception that the old age is about to fade away, and the new age is about to set in. it reflects off the cosmic and eschatological events that are the epitome of the occurrence.in addition, it uses fantastic symbolism in explanations. John is in the island of Patmos when the revelation of what were to happen reaches him. He hears a voice similar to trumpet, then describes a spectacular vision of Jesus that follows, holding seven stars on the hand. John had to be confronted to write what he was seeing. Then he sees the mystery of the seven stars and candlesticks. The candlesticks are the churches while the candlesticks are the angels. The angel addresses him in terms of churches. Ephesus church is praised since it did reject the false prophets. However, he complains that they have forsaken their first love advising them to resume to their first love and repent. In the church of Pergamum, it is in the expression as the dwelling place of Satan, a hot bed of sin and persecution. However, Antipas remained faithful to the point of death. Therefore, it symbolizes that it is possible to remain faithful even in hard and tempting moments. The sword of truth represents the word of God. There is also use of symbolic numbers such as the seven churches, seven angels. All these are used in conveying the messages to the seven churches. The faithful ones in the church of Sardis are on reflection with white color, which means symbolically of victory, joy and aspects of purity. In the church of Thyatira,there is a mention of Jezebel is a representation of adultery and fornication. There is a metaphorical use of the stars falling too (Barr, 68). Cited Works Barr, David L. Reading the Book of Revelation. A Resource for Students. Vol. 7. N. p., 2003. Print. Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997. Print. Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2008. Internet resource. Ridgers, William. “The Book of Revelation Revealed in Glory : A Summary of Glorious Revelation.” Lights of ’Irfán : Papers Presented at the  Irfán Colloquia and Seminars : Book One. N. p., 2000. 95–104. Print.  Read More