Details for The Johannines

The Gospel and Letters of John are dearly loved by Christians today. Rich in theology and symbolism, these texts draw heavily on the Jewish tradition fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. This unit will equip you to interpret and apply these extraordinary texts, as well as helping you to see the ways in which the story of Jesus fulfils the testimony of Israel.

The unit The Johannines is part of the subject area Biblical Studies and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Applied Theology (Korean) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)), Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

By highlighting the way in which the symbolism and theology of the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Letters draw on the OT intertextually, a bridge is built between OT and NT, bringing greater focus to the student’s reading of the Christian Bible.

Subject Content

1. The Fourth Gospel through many eyes: the purpose, provenance, background to the Fourth Gospel, and the question of genre
2. Examination of the structure, symbolism, and theology of the Fourth Gospel
3. Walking in the Light: the background to and purposes of the Johannine correspondence
4. Examination of the structure and theology of 1-3 John
5. Exegesis of selected passages of the Johnnine corpus
6. Perspectives on Johannine Theology and its significance for Pentecostalism

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, guided discussion, guided exegesis, web based/electronic interaction

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Major Essay (50%, 2500 words); Forum Postings (20%, 2500 words); Exam (30%)

Prescribed Text

Stott, J.R. The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary. (TNTC Series). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

Representative References

• Ashton, J. Understanding the Fourth Gospel.Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993.
• Brown, R.E. The Epistles of John. New York: Doubleday, 1982.
• Culpepper, R.A.Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1987.
• Koester, C.R.Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.
• Lee, D.A. The Symbolic Narratives of the Fourth Gospel. JSNTSS; Sheffield, 1994.
• Lieu, J. The Theology of the Johannine Epistles. Cambridge: CUP, 1991.
• Maloney, F.J. Signs and Shadows. Jn. 5-12. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
• ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Maloney, F.J. Glory not Dishonour. Jn. 13-21. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
• Painter, J. The Quest for the Messiah. rev. ed. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.
• Smith, D.M. John among the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.