The Intended Audience and the Purpose of the Fourth Gospel and Its Implication for the Asian Christians
This paper investigates the intended audience and the purpose of the Fourth Gospel by first examining the grammatical and textual problem of the purpose statement in John 20:30-31. The examination shows that the purpose statement itself cannot establish decisively the audience of the Gospel. The que...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
ATESEA
[2016]
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| In: |
Asia journal of theology
Year: 2016, Volume: 30, Issue: 1, Pages: 7-29 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
John
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| IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament KBM Asia |
| Further subjects: | B
Fourth Gospel
B Bible. Gospels B audience B Audiences B Faith B Purpose B Persecution B Jesus Christ B Social aspects B Bible. John B Christians B OPPRESSION (Psychology) B Asia B Asian Christians |
| Summary: | This paper investigates the intended audience and the purpose of the Fourth Gospel by first examining the grammatical and textual problem of the purpose statement in John 20:30-31. The examination shows that the purpose statement itself cannot establish decisively the audience of the Gospel. The question can only be answered by exploring John's concept of faith in the context of the whole Gospel. Our study shows that John writes for a believing community facing persecution and oppression, not necessarily a specific Johannine community. If such is the case, the Fourth Gospel has special relevance to Asian Christians facing persecution. Even though they might lose their lives they should persevere in faith because they already have eternal life. But for those living in affluent societies, their faith is challenged in a different way. They should remind themselves to serve the true Lord Jesus, the Son of God and Savior. |
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| ISSN: | 2815-1828 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Asia journal of theology
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