Philo Judaeus, a Jewish scholar who lived in first century CE
Alexandria Proposed a combination of the Greek LOGOS and Hebrew
WISDOM
Slide 3
In the Hebrew biblical tradition, Wisdom is personified as a
gracious young woman (Prov 8:22-31) When there were no depths I was
brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water...
25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was
brought forth;... 30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31
Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the
sons of men.
Slide 4
A Greek philosophical term denoting the intelligent force that
orders and sustains the universemaking it accessible to the human
mind. The Greeks also saw LOGOS as a creative power that had formed
the Cosmos out of chaos.
Slide 5
John identifies Jesus in his pre-human existence with the
divine Logos that formed the universe
Slide 6
Heavenly LOGOS became flesh to walk the earth as Jesus of
Nazareth (INCARNATION) Jesus is the embodiment of Gods creative
Wisdom
Slide 7
JESUS NOT ONLY SPEAKS THE WORD OF GOD, HE IS THAT WORD AND
REVEALS THE DIVINE NATURE FULLY.
Slide 8
Scholars believe the I AM pronouncements in John are not
modeled on actual recollections of Jesus words They are modeled on
Wisdoms speeches in the Hebrew Bible. Hebrew writers typically have
Wisdom speak in the first person, using I am
Slide 9
14 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM; and He said, Thus you
shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. 15 God,
furthermore, said to Moses, Thus you shall say to the sons of
Israel, The L ORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My
name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. (EX
3:14-15)
Slide 10
John opens his Gospel with: 1 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the
beginning with God. John 1:1
Slide 11
Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham
was born, I am. Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him,
but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. 8:58 35 Jesus
said to them, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not
hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 6:35
Slide 12
11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life
for the sheep. 10:11 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection
and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
11:25
Slide 13
John, like Matthew, regards all Jews who do not accept his
beliefs about Jesus as enemies, a sectarian view that has
historically fostered anti-semitism.
Slide 14
Johns Gospel emerged on the fringes of the Christian movement
(Essene-like), but more than the other Gospels became mainstream
Christian thought.
Slide 15
Christs pre-human existence as Gods eternal Word (the Logos)
The Incarnation, descent from heaven Apparent equality with God His
continuing presence among believers in the form of the Paraclete
Spirit of Truth
Slide 16
A plausible way to cope with the disappointment in Jesus
supposed failure to return Realized eschatology: Jesus glory has
already appeared: 12:28-29
Slide 17
John portrays the Paraclete as if he were Jesus double
15:26-27, fulfilling believers desire for continued presence At the
Last Supper, Jesus emphasizes his return to heaven, not return to
earth Johns Gospel gives Jesus cosmic stature, a co-equal with God,
pre-suggesting what came to be the doctrine of the Trinity
Slide 18
Mark My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew My God,
my God, why have you forsaken me? Luke Father forgive them... Into
your hands I commend my spirit John It is accomplished.
Slide 19
What are the Evangelists communicating with the last words they
have Jesus utter?
Slide 20
Proclaim their own social and political situation and have
Jesus share in it
Slide 21
Jesus calmly relinquishes his spirit to God He expresses
forgiveness and a spirituality
Slide 22
It is accomplished. Hugely significant: He has completed his
messianic mission, including those traditionally associated with
the eschaton: divine judgment, spiritual regeneration,
resurrection, and the giving of full knowledge to the faithful