A study focusing on the Gospel of John on the
basis of the English text. After reviewing the background to the Gospel, emphasis is placed on tracing the
author’s thought and identifying theological motifs.
Not long after it was written the Gospel of John was called a “more spiritual” account of Jesus’ life. The Fourth Gospel’s direct teaching and evocative symbolism have helped to make it one of the most influential books in the New Testament. In this course we will examine the Gospel of John from the standpoints of history, literature, theology, and spirituality. Students will gain hands-on experience using academic tools and methods to reconstruct the original context and significance of John’s message. We will also employ some techniques from literary criticism to explore the contours of John’s story. Finally we will ask how the Fourth Gospel might shape our thought and practice in the contemporary world. Along the way we will compare a modern academic commentary on John with an early commentary by a great Christian leader of the 4th century AD. This comparison will give us the opportunity to reflect on the variety of ways in which John’s Gospel has been read over the centuries and on the hermeneutical issues involved in moving between the ancient text and our contemporary world.
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