The New Testament

A Historical and Theological Introduction

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Chapter

14. The Gospel according to John

Questions for Research and Discussion

  1. What are some of the common elements between the Synoptic Gospels and the Fourth Gospel? How might these commonalities be explained?
  2. Imagine a skeptical friend is impugning the historical reliability of John’s Gospel. How might you respond?
  3. What is the difference between ipsissima dicta and ipsissimae sententiae? Where does John’s presentation of Jesus’ teaching fit within this dichotomy? What does this say about the authenticity of John’s Gospel?
  4. In some detail, trace the debate surrounding the authorship of the Fourth Gospel.
  5. Compare and contrast John the Baptist in John and the Synoptics? What are the differences? Can some common ground be found?