Ansible-One

We attending a new class and taught by Dr. Jim Underwood.  For my benefit I will be logging notes and comments from the discussions as we progress through the class.

Below are questions he gave us to go though.  I will put my best efforts to answer them here and then come back to the post to add any comments or corrections after each class.  I usually use BibleGateway.com for my reading and references, but this time I will also use Bible.org since it was referred by Dr. Underwood.

I am really excited about this series mainly because it is focused entirely in John and the theology that makes up the book and our faith.  Also, because I was on the cusp of being schooled on the Committed Critic blog.  Maybe if I can expand my knowledge a bit I can contribute more to the discussions in the future.  To see that discussions, click here: http://www.committedcritic.com/2009/08/20/confusion-and-explanation-in-john-6/

Discovery Class Outline – Week 1

John 1

John 1:1-5

Who is the “Word”?

God.
Additional reading into the word “Word” here shows it uses the Greek word logov or logos.  The word has a history dating even further back into Jewish history.  Bible.org even lists a definition that points back to John.

3) In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the
personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in
creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the
world’s life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement
of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the
Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth
conspicuously from His words and deeds.
-Bible.org

What role has “the Word” played in the history of the world?

The Word has been since the beginning and before creation.  It connects the Word to Jesus and therefore Jesus to the beginning.

What is the significance of “life”?

zwh (zoe)* is life but it can be used to mean more than just life from birth to death as we know it in English.  zwh would be everlasting life in this case.  An existence spent in eternity.  So Jesus has a life that surpasses anything known inside of creation.

What is the significance of “light”?

The light is the knowledge or maybe the understanding who Jesus was.  He dwells in us.  I will likely need to revise this one, but it seems that if the darkness cannot understand the light then the light can lead us past anything the darkness puts in our way.

What’s the point of this passage?

This passage begins the book by showing that Jesus is God and establishing Him over all creation.

John 1:5-13

What is the significance of “sent from God”?

This is almost a contradiction in a way.  How can God send Himself?  However, you can also say that God was taking Himself into creation from His place in majesty. 

Where did this guy “John” come from? (Luke 1:7)

In Luke 1 near vs7 John’s parentage is described.  Zechariah was a priest, his wife was a descendent of Aaron.  “Both were upright in the sight of the Lord.” Luke 1:6.  John was their son.

In John 1:7 we find John testifying in the wilderness.

Is the above important?

It was prophesied in the OT.  In Isaiah I think.  I will need to look it up later.

Hmmm…seems like verses 12 & 13 are important. Why?

John clarifies his statement my eliminating other ways to be born.  The “true light” was able to give the right to mankind to become children of God.  Being born into God began a new life.  Not a life created by man.

John 1:14-18 (The testimony of John)

I wonder what “only begotten” means…?

The dictionary says several things, but each basically means; to come from oneself.  So “only begotten” would mean God’s only child or creation.  Around the time John was written, I believe many Christians were searching and waiting for the messiah to return.  Many would begin to follow false prophets claiming to be the Christ.  (I can probably find references to back this up, but those resources are readily available to me at the moment.)  If John is writing to reach some of these people they may understand it to mean, Jesus was the only and only one to come.  All others would be pretenders.

John 1:18 (What is John saying?)

That Jesus has seen God and existed along side of God.  Not just making Jesus equal to God, but more literally making Jesus God.  They are one in the same.

John 1:19-34

Why is verse 23 so important?  What is the “prophetic motif”?

John the Baptist is quoting Isaiah directly in fulfillment of the prophecy.  The motif is the Messiah is coming.

Why is John baptizing (verse 28)

 So the Messiah would be revealed to Israel.  I believe this was part of the prophecy in Isaiah as well.  I really need to find that reference!  Under the old law, the sacrifice was cleaned or baptized before the offering. 

“Behold” (verse 29)

In the NIV it just says “Look”.   Behold really conveys the feeling though.  Again I went back to the Greek available on Bible.org.

I think the word used was “blepei”* or “see” followed by “ton” which is similar to “that”.  “See that!”  I can almost see John talking to the Pharisees and pointing directly at Jesus with a half crazed half amazed look on his face.  I certainly cannot image talking to what appeared to be a nut case on the street corner and he points behind me saying, “That’s God!  Right there!”

“Spirit” verse 32; What does this mean? (Zech. 7) (Saul)

The kings of the OT had Holy Spirit with each them.  When the Holy Spirit stays with Jesus it makes him the king.  On hearing this I doubt the Pharisees were impressed.  This seems to be just another point in passage that is reinforcing the validity of the sovereignty of Jesus.

John 1:35-51 (The testimony of Jesus)

What does the word “call” generally mean in the NT?  (vs. 39; 43)

 Someone would call to the another.  To tell or to direct.  Jesus called the disciples.  Philip called Nathanael.

Its an offer that cannot be refused.

What is God’s lesson for me from this chapter of John?

 Jesus is God.  His sovereignty is supported by scripture and prophecy.

Jesus fills the roles of prophet, priest, and king.

Jim Underwood 2009
Outline of Questions

*Looks like my fonts were not right when I initially wrote this.  It should have dawn on me that ancient greeks didn’t use English characters.  Duh.  Install the fonts from this site…  http://net.bible.org/fonts.php

Then go here to see John 1 in Greek…  http://net.bible.org/bible.php?book=Joh&chapter=1&tab=grkheb