John's Gospel - Introduction

This should keep me going for a while. As with Joel I'll start with some background information. These are the primary resources that I use:

• The Global Concise Bible Dictionary - L O Richards
• TNIV Study Bible - Zondervan
• John - CG Kruse, Tyndale Commentary, IVP
  

John's gospel is quite different from the other three. It is far less a historical record (though this does not mean it is not historically accurate!), and far more reflective on Jesus' ministry. It also contains many more intimate details, with a large chunk of the book focused on the last days of Jesus' ministry on earth.

The overwhelming purpose of the book is to prove that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:31), therefore the book is more structured around themes than in a strict chronological order. Though of course there is a general chronological order to the book.

The book was probably written around 90AD, and by the apostle John. There are arguments for a date around 60AD, but 90AD is more widely accepted.

There are many encounters recorded in the book. Examples include, Andrew meeting Jesus, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, several between Jesus and the religious leaders, Thomas, the final meeting with Peter. All of these meetings included a revelation of Jesus and demanded a response from the people meeting Jesus.

There are many key theological themes in the book, these include: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is a big emphasis on the current benefits of the gospel.