Episode 4 - In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind

By now it should be obvious that one of my goals is for you to see the strong association John is making between “the Word” and the God spoken of in Genesis 1 who created the spheres of life and the plant, animal, and human life within them as well as everything necessary to sustain that physical life.

One of the important things for life to exist is light. For example, light is required for photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is the way green plants make food. In the beginning, according to Genesis 1:2, the universe was dark and chaotic with no apparent life forms at all apart from God.

The first thing God does is to create light. Then, He separates the light from the darkness and calls the light “good.” What does that indicate about the darkness?

So, as we continue reading this introduction, John says, “In him was life . . .” Genesis 1 says that God was the one who possessed and gave life. John 1 draws another connection of the Word to the Creator, life-giving God of Genesis 1. The focus in Genesis 1 is clearly more on the creation of life itself. The Greek word used in John 1:4 for life certainly is often intended to speak of life itself. But, it can also be translated as the sustenance of life. As we continue through John, ask yourself if John is also demonstrating the Word as one that sustains life.

John’s thoughts concerning the Word expands quickly to say that “the life (in the Word) was the light of men/mankind.” He says more about the light in the following verse. But, stop here and write some of your own thoughts on why John says this. Why is this important? Why is it important for the Word which has life be light for mankind?

In him was life . . .

David Largent

Episode 2 - John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word . . . "

Take a look at the highlighting or marked-up text of the first two verses of John’s gospel shown below. The purpose is to demonstrate the repetition that occurs within these first two verses. What is the purpose of repetition in any form of communication? It is to emphasize something the communicator considers important, isn’t it? What do you think John wants to emphasize to his audience? The focus is on “the Word.” I would encourage you to write out ideas you have about the repetition in this text and what the author is wanting to communicate to his audience. Here are some questions and points for your consideration concerning this text.

What does the author mean “In the beginning . .  ?” (Hint: Read Genesis 1 at the beginning of your Bible)

What or who is in that beginning? Does that have an implication for the identity of “the Word?”

What is a “word?” The Greek term used here is the word “logos.” How might people of John’s day understood what John was suggesting by placing “the Word” in the beginning?

If you’ve read the first chapter of Genesis, you understand that it is a story of God creating the universe, the earth, and the life forms within it. How does Genesis account for how God accomplishes this great feat? Do you see a connection with that and “the Word?”

In the beginning was the Word

David Largent

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Episode 1 - Preliminary Info on the Gospel of John - Read this first

• There are four books called “Gospels” in the New Testament or Christian Scriptures: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• These books give accounts for the birth of a man known as Jesus of Nazareth; often referred to in the Christian Scriptures as Jesus Christ. He lived nearly 2000 years ago.

• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” because they contain a lot of the same or similar information. It can be challenging, but rewarding seeking to understand what events are the same events recorded more than one of these books or what events may be different, but similar. John’s gospel has some events in the life of Jesus that are recorded only in this book. This book simply has a “different feel” to it than the other three Gospels.

• Critics in the 19th century into the early 20th century questioned the tradition that this was authored by a close ally of Jesus; arguing that it was produced a few hundred years after Jesus walked the earth. However, during the 20th century, an old fragment (Papyrus 52) was discovered that was dated in the early to mid second-century AD that lends evidence in this book that supports the earlier dating of John’s Gospel. Some church groups excluded this book from their worship and teaching as part of the Biblical Canon and have continued the practice; perhaps ignorant of the later evidence supporting the more ancient tradition. I view the accounts in this book as authentically from John the Apostle. There is continuity from the author’s opening statements in his introduction through the book that support his explicitly stated purpose for writing this book.

• The differences in the various gospel accounts often lend themselves to the themes and theology that is being emphasized by each respective author.

• There are two men of significance associated with Jesus named John. One was a fisherman by trade. He is the man to whom this book is attributed even though the author does not directly identify himself as John. The internal evidence within the book points to this man, who was a close friend of Jesus, as the author. The other man is known as John the Baptist.

• Before you begin the actual study, I would recommend that you read the very first chapter in the very first book of the Bible; the book entitled Genesis. John begins his book by drawing his readers' thoughts to the opening words of Genesis and the theme of Genesis chapter one will be a strong theme in John’s gospel.

• My other advice would be to write notes for yourself. Email questions to me and I’ll try to get back soon.

Gospel of John Introduction

David Largent

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