Comments on: John’s Gospel: mainly what Jesus didn’t say

By: Bob MacDonald

Bob MacDonald — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:46:21 +0000

PS - her thesis is the replacement of temple and every significant feast by Jesus through his actions in the gospel. So the significance of certain words like ‘place’ (surely the Lord is in this place) and particularly the use of the dwelling motif - the active dwellings of the farewell discourse (as opposed to the more passive ‘mansions’) - also a household motif - from the Father’s house in the clensing incident to the Father’s house In chapter 14 - as the new community in which the Spirit/ the Father and Son, the Advocate dwells.

By: Bob MacDonald

Bob MacDonald — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:42:05 +0000

Mary Coloe is quite active in the SBL John group. Her teacher is Francis Moloney - both in Australia. Two of her books are formative for me in beginning to appreciate the close knit poetry of the author of John - 1. God Dwells with Us, and 2. Dwelling in the Household of God (2006) Liturgical Press (my copy of 1 has gone missing but I expect it is published by the same publisher.) I always lend out the books I like best and then forget who’s got them.

By: doug

doug — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:59:56 +0000

Michele, I don’t think that’s what I’m saying, because I think they are both historical and theological in different ways. What I am saying is that John has chosen to present Jesus in a much more stylized way, and this involves his putting what he sees as the historical meaning of Jesus into literary speeches spoken by Jesus. It is an intentional literary and dramatic device. So he selects only a few actual stories (consider how little action there is in John’s gospel) and offers profound meditations on them, cast in the form of monologue or dialogue. Hope that clarifies what I’m trying to say.

Bob, sorry, but I’ve not even heard of Mary Coloe - no doubt to my shame. I would note that another feature of the water into wine story is its juxtaposition at the beginning of the gospel with the “cleansing” of the temple. I see this as a double programmatic statement of intent.

By: Bob MacDonald

Bob MacDonald — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:22:59 +0000

I keep wondering what Secundus will write when he comes to the 7 great I am’s. He surprised me the other day by revealing that a sign that is not a miracle needs decoding. What also surprised me about the water into wine sign was the implied contrast between law and grace and between marriage to Torah and marriage to the revealed Bridegroom (à la Romans 7). Have you read any of Mary Coloe on John?

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:08:09 +0000

So, are you saying that John’s Gospel is theological but Matthew’s is historical?