{The Gospels [continued]}[17th July 1989]

[Redbook6:158][19890717:2354b]{The Gospels [continued]}[17th July 1989]

19890716.1645

[continued]

The Gospels: II:* John

Jesus’ teaching here is concerned almost entirely with himself. The miracles seem to have the functions of signs or occasions for discussion, rather than pure reportage.

There is virtually no substantive teaching on the nature of the Kingdom or how to get there in the practical terms so characteristic of the S[ynoptic] G[ospels]*** – ie non-Jesus-centred terms. What little substantive teaching there is about matters other than Jesus, is poor stuff.***

The Jesus of John’s Gospel is almost unrecognisable as the Jesus of the S[ynoptic] G[ospels].**** When I read the N[ew] J[erusalem] B[ible] translation, I have an image of a figure with palms outfacing and eyes rolled upwards, as in some mediaeval icon: a figure almost uninvolved with his disciples and others of his audience. Jesus in the S[ynoptic] G[ospels] is closely, empathetically involved with the ordinary people who accompanied him and listened to him: his great concern was to help the and heal them in all the ways open to him.

*[See last previous entry]

**[Matthew, Mark, Luke – see last previous entry]

***Except 3:1,ff?#

****This is all rather sweeping! <890824>

#[

eg John 3:1-8:

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(King James Version)

]

[continues]

[PostedBlogger08122019]