IV. Religious and Cultural BackgroundIV. Religious and Cultural BackgroundBackground:Background: Greek or Jewish?Greek or Jewish?

SyncretisticSyncretisticA.A. Greek philosophyGreek philosophy

1.1. Platonism Platonism a.a. Dualism of real, invisible world vs. physical shadow/copy.Dualism of real, invisible world vs. physical shadow/copy.b.b. John: above/below; spirit/flesh; true heavenly bread/natural John: above/below; spirit/flesh; true heavenly bread/natural

bread.bread.

2.2. Stoicism Stoicism a.a. Divine “Logos” pervading cosmos.Divine “Logos” pervading cosmos.b.b. John 1: Logos as principle of Creation.John 1: Logos as principle of Creation.

3.3. Parallels with Greek philosophy are not as close Parallels with Greek philosophy are not as close as once imagined.as once imagined.

B.B. GnosticismGnosticism1.1. Dualism of spirit (good) vs. matter (evil).Dualism of spirit (good) vs. matter (evil).

a.a. Physical world inherently evil – not created by God.Physical world inherently evil – not created by God.b.b. Problem: divine spirit trapped in material body.Problem: divine spirit trapped in material body.c.c. Salvation by Salvation by gnosis gnosis brought by heavenly Revealer.brought by heavenly Revealer.d.d. Revealer gathers “his own;” leads them to heaven.Revealer gathers “his own;” leads them to heaven.

2.2. Parallels with FG:Parallels with FG:a.a. Dualism – above/below; light/darkness.Dualism – above/below; light/darkness.b.b. World in darkness.World in darkness.c.c. Descending/ascending Redeemer/Revealer.Descending/ascending Redeemer/Revealer.d.d. Emphasis on saving knowledge (Emphasis on saving knowledge (gnosisgnosis).).e.e. Division of people – those from above/those from below.Division of people – those from above/those from below.

3.3. Differences:Differences:a.a. World created by God – not inherently evil – object of God’s World created by God – not inherently evil – object of God’s

love and redemption.love and redemption.b.b. World in darkness because of human sin.World in darkness because of human sin.c.c. Real incarnation and death of Christ (Gnosticism was Real incarnation and death of Christ (Gnosticism was

docetic).docetic).d.d. Division of people based on response to Jesus.Division of people based on response to Jesus.

C.C. MandaeismMandaeism1.1. Gnostic-like cult with roots in Palestine, Syria, Gnostic-like cult with roots in Palestine, Syria,

Mesopotamia.Mesopotamia.

a.a. Dualism of light/darkness or heaven/earth.Dualism of light/darkness or heaven/earth.

b.b. Escape through knowledge brought by Revealer Escape through knowledge brought by Revealer called Manda d’Hayye (“Knowledge of Life”).called Manda d’Hayye (“Knowledge of Life”).

c.c. Rituals included repeated baptisms.Rituals included repeated baptisms.

2.2. Revered John the Baptist as true Revealer.Revered John the Baptist as true Revealer.

3.3. Opposed Christ as a deceiver.Opposed Christ as a deceiver.

4.4. Close parallels to FG’s “I am” sayings.Close parallels to FG’s “I am” sayings.a.a. ““I am the Messenger of Light/Life; I am a Vine of Life; I am the I am the Messenger of Light/Life; I am a Vine of Life; I am the

True Messenger;” etc.True Messenger;” etc.

b.b. Bultmann: Evangelist was convert from Mandaean sect; Bultmann: Evangelist was convert from Mandaean sect; brought Revelation-discourse source; attributed to Christ.brought Revelation-discourse source; attributed to Christ.

c.c. Mandaean lit. is late; hard to know direction of dependence.Mandaean lit. is late; hard to know direction of dependence.

d.d. Many find in FG a polemic against some group that Many find in FG a polemic against some group that championed John the Baptist over Jesus.championed John the Baptist over Jesus.

D.D. Philo of Alexandria (died c. 45 AD)Philo of Alexandria (died c. 45 AD)1.1. Jewish theologian steeped in Greek philosophy.Jewish theologian steeped in Greek philosophy.2.2. Allegorical interpretation Allegorical interpretation to find Greek ideas in Jewish Bible.to find Greek ideas in Jewish Bible.

a.a. Sometimes compared with symbolism in FG.Sometimes compared with symbolism in FG.b.b. But Jn. does not use allegory quite the way Philo does.But Jn. does not use allegory quite the way Philo does.

3.3. Closest similarity is “Logos” concept. Closest similarity is “Logos” concept. a.a. God is so transcendent he must relate to this world through God is so transcendent he must relate to this world through

intermediaries, esp. through his Logos.intermediaries, esp. through his Logos.b.b. Logos is personified attribute of God – variously called image Logos is personified attribute of God – variously called image

of God, first-born Son of God, high priest, paraclete, or of God, first-born Son of God, high priest, paraclete, or “second God.”“second God.”

c.c. Functions as intermediary being – agent of creation, Functions as intermediary being – agent of creation, revelation, and intercession.revelation, and intercession.

d.d. Quite similar to Logos in Jn. 1:1-18 – Jn. goes beyond Philo in Quite similar to Logos in Jn. 1:1-18 – Jn. goes beyond Philo in incarnation.incarnation.

e.e. No evidence of direct borrowing – both are influenced by No evidence of direct borrowing – both are influenced by Jewish Wisdom.Jewish Wisdom.

4.4. Some see Jn. doing for Christianity what Philo did for Some see Jn. doing for Christianity what Philo did for Judaism – building a bridge to world of Greek thought.Judaism – building a bridge to world of Greek thought.

E.E. Old TestamentOld Testament1.1. Only 14 direct quotes in FG.Only 14 direct quotes in FG.

2.2. Numerous allusions, use of themes, imagery,etc.Numerous allusions, use of themes, imagery,etc.

3.3. Evangelist or his tradition is thoroughly steeped in OT.Evangelist or his tradition is thoroughly steeped in OT.

F.F. Rabbinic JudaismRabbinic Judaism1.1. Rabbinic methods of interpretation.Rabbinic methods of interpretation.

If circumcision is permitted on Sabbath, one can also heal (Jn. If circumcision is permitted on Sabbath, one can also heal (Jn. 7:22-23).7:22-23).

Rabbinic argument from lesser to greater.Rabbinic argument from lesser to greater.

2.2. Rabbinic view of duty to study Torah and find life (5:39).Rabbinic view of duty to study Torah and find life (5:39). Hillel: “The more Torah the more life, the more study the more Hillel: “The more Torah the more life, the more study the more

wisdom…”wisdom…” John 5:39: "You search the scriptures because you think that John 5:39: "You search the scriptures because you think that

in them you have eternal life...”in them you have eternal life...”

G.G. QumranQumran1.1. Jewish sect associated with Dead Sea Scrolls.Jewish sect associated with Dead Sea Scrolls.

a.a. Formed around “Teacher of Righteousness” in 2Formed around “Teacher of Righteousness” in 2ndnd cent. BC. cent. BC.b.b. Protest over Temple – withdrew; Protest over Temple – withdrew; est. commune as “true Israel.”est. commune as “true Israel.”c.c. Apocalyptic – awaited final cosmic battle of good and evil.Apocalyptic – awaited final cosmic battle of good and evil.d.d. Emphasized strict Torah-observance and ritual purity.Emphasized strict Torah-observance and ritual purity.e.e. DualismDualism: spirit of light/truth vs. spirit of darkness/falsehood.: spirit of light/truth vs. spirit of darkness/falsehood.

People divided into Sons of Light and Sons of Darkness.People divided into Sons of Light and Sons of Darkness.

2.2. Similarities to FG:Similarities to FG:a.a. Dualism (cf. Jn. 1:4-5, 8; 3:19-21; 12:36; 14:6, 17, 26).Dualism (cf. Jn. 1:4-5, 8; 3:19-21; 12:36; 14:6, 17, 26).b.b. Opposition to Temple (4:21-23).Opposition to Temple (4:21-23).c.c. Community solidarity and love within community Community solidarity and love within community (13:34; 15:12).(13:34; 15:12).

3.3. ConclusionConclusiona.a. Discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) showed that FG is Discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) showed that FG is

much more Jewish than previously believed.much more Jewish than previously believed.b.b. No evidence of direct borrowing.No evidence of direct borrowing.c.c. Strong influence of Qumran on FG.Strong influence of Qumran on FG.

Evangelist or members of Johannine community could be Evangelist or members of Johannine community could be converts from Qumran.converts from Qumran.

Alleged Gnostic motifs in FG may have come from Qumran.Alleged Gnostic motifs in FG may have come from Qumran.d.d. Strict legalism, ritualism, hatred of outsiders are foreign to FG.Strict legalism, ritualism, hatred of outsiders are foreign to FG.

H.H. SamaritanismSamaritanism1.1. Evolved from remnants of old northern Israelites.Evolved from remnants of old northern Israelites.2.2. Preserved a form of old Israelite religion with Preserved a form of old Israelite religion with

differences from Judaism.differences from Judaism.a.a. Mount Gerizim as place of worship.Mount Gerizim as place of worship.b.b. Exalted view of Moses as Revealer of God, prototype of Exalted view of Moses as Revealer of God, prototype of

human beings, participant in Creation, Intercessor, etc.human beings, participant in Creation, Intercessor, etc.c.c. Belief in the Belief in the Taheb Taheb (“the coming one”) – Samaritan messiah; (“the coming one”) – Samaritan messiah;

would be a “prophet like Moses” (Deut. 18:18-19).would be a “prophet like Moses” (Deut. 18:18-19).

3.3. FG shows strong interest in Samaritans.FG shows strong interest in Samaritans.a.a. Samaria as mission field (ch. 4).Samaria as mission field (ch. 4).b.b. Jesus as greater than Moses (1:7).Jesus as greater than Moses (1:7).c.c. Jesus as “the Prophet” who is to come (1:21, 25; 6:14; 7:40).Jesus as “the Prophet” who is to come (1:21, 25; 6:14; 7:40).d.d. Jesus fulfills and surpasses what Samaritans were looking for.Jesus fulfills and surpasses what Samaritans were looking for.

I.I. ConclusionConclusion1.1. FG shows points of contact with many types of thought, both Greek FG shows points of contact with many types of thought, both Greek

and Jewish.and Jewish.2.2. Written in “syncretistic” setting and sought to relate the gospel to Written in “syncretistic” setting and sought to relate the gospel to

people of various backgrounds.people of various backgrounds.

Community Rule III (1QS)Community Rule III (1QS)“…“…He has created man to govern the world, and has appointed He has created man to govern the world, and has appointed

for him two spirits in which to walk until the time of His visitation: the spirits for him two spirits in which to walk until the time of His visitation: the spirits of truth and falsehood. Those born of truth spring from a fountain of light, of truth and falsehood. Those born of truth spring from a fountain of light, but those born of falsehood spring from a source of darkness. All the but those born of falsehood spring from a source of darkness. All the children of righteousness are ruled by the Prince of Light and walk in the children of righteousness are ruled by the Prince of Light and walk in the ways of light, but all the children of falsehood are ruled by the Angel of ways of light, but all the children of falsehood are ruled by the Angel of Darkness and walk in the ways of darkness.Darkness and walk in the ways of darkness.

The Angel of Darkness leads all the children of righteousness The Angel of Darkness leads all the children of righteousness astray, and until his end, all their sin, iniquities, wickedness, and all their astray, and until his end, all their sin, iniquities, wickedness, and all their unlawful deeds are caused by his dominion in accordance with the unlawful deeds are caused by his dominion in accordance with the mysteries of God…mysteries of God…

But the God of Israel and His Angel of Truth will succour all the But the God of Israel and His Angel of Truth will succour all the sons of light. For it is He who created the spirits of Light and Darkness…”sons of light. For it is He who created the spirits of Light and Darkness…”

Geza Vermes, Geza Vermes, The Dead Sea Scrolls in EnglishThe Dead Sea Scrolls in English, 2, 2ndnd edition edition (Penguin Books, 1975), pp. 75-76.(Penguin Books, 1975), pp. 75-76.