The Gospel of John
In terms of large thematic developmental patterns, John must be later than the Synoptics; in mental style it is obviously affected by Greek thought. But these statements apply only to the final John. The text is unique among the Gospels in that scholars have widely conceded in it, though not in the Synoptics, signs of what we call an accretional text. What then of the accretional core? Is it later than the other Gospels, like the final John, or does it reach back further into early Christian tradition? Another question often asked, but not answered with much unanimity, is the relation of John to the Synoptics. Its closeness to Mark in some details has been often acknowledged (though also sometimes denied), but the case with respect to Matthew and Luke is less certain. Our second question is then the relationship question, complicated as it must be (though clarified as we believe it will be, and as our precursors from Wellhausen onward believe it to be) by the accretional model of John itself.
- Preliminary Survey
- Trajectory Position
- Additions
- Transpositions
- Greek Vocabulary
- The Plot of John
- The Beloved Disciple
- John and Markan Order
- External Attestation
- The Ephesus Community
- The Johannine Epistles
- Previous Reconstructions
- Benjamin Bacon (1933)
- Robert Fortna (1970, rev 1988)
- Urban von Wahlde (1989)
- Our Reconstruction
- Index Page
- Conclusions
- Canonical Agenda
- Developing Theology
- Dates and Places
25 Sept 2005 / Contact The Project / Exit to Synoptica Page
