Major Themes

Question 1

Characteristics of Belief and Unbelief as a Theme

Answer 1

• fundamental choice - faith or unbelief.
• unbelief = judgment of condemnation
• Belief = possessing eternal life.
• Believers: light; unbelievers: darkness.

Question 2

Characteristics of Signs

Answer 2

• seven signs
• signs reveal Jesus as the Messiah.
• do not take the place of faith
• presuppose faith
• Signs in St John’s Gospel:
  
  • 2:1-11 (wedding at Cana)
  • 4:46-54 (healing of the official’s son)
  • 5:1-15 (healing of the paralyzed man)
  • 6:1-15 (feeding of the multitude)
  • 6:16-21 (walking on water)
  • 9:1-41 (healing of the man born blind)
  • 11:1-44 (raising of Lazarus)

Question 3

Characteristics of Revelation and Witness

Answer 3

• Jesus reveals the Father and the way to him.
• Sign pointing to the Father – words and actions are manifestations of Father’s will.
• courtroom language of witness and testimony.
• Jesus is on trial in the Gospel, accused and judged by the world, and all who are hostile towards God.
• The witness of Jesus and his works are rejected by those who are hostile towards him.
• time of martyrdom amongst believers. Gospel is giving encouragement to persecuted Christians.

Question 4

Characteristics of Logos

Answer 4

• logos not tied to Greek philosophy, but to Hebrew thought.
• The Hebrew equivalent for logos is d ab ar.
• In Hebrew thought, spoken word = dynamic and effective, a living reality. blessings, curses, promises, etc., were dynamic and active
• Once a word is spoken it had a power and life of its own, to effect what was said.

Question 5

Characteristics of Realized Eschatology

Answer 5

• John’s Gospel, not negating these future events (judgement, second coming) as realities, but also an emphasis that they have already begun.
• In that sense, John has a realized eschatology.
• faith makes eternal life a present reality in this world

Question 6

Characteristics of the Hour

Answer 6

• Hour encompasses his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension as a single moment.
• not separate realities, but a single salvific event which accomplishes the redemption of the world.