We will be studying the book of John.  I had problems with this book for a while in my early twenties because my theology professor at The College of St. Mark and St. John (http://www.marjon.ac.uk/) tore apart its historicity and authenticity.  I Have come back to believing its historicity and authenticity but it is quite different from the other gospels.

The questions I pose below can be answered by reading an introduction to John in a study Bible, the introduction to John in a concordance, or an entry about John in a Bible dictionary.

Who was the author?

The author is important for a number of reasons.  God authored the Bible by inspiring individuals.  He did not wipe their minds or pass inspiration through them like water through a hose.  The human authors of the Bible really affected how the Bible was composed.  Each author has a style and substance that is their own.  Just as knowing C.S. Lewis gives you more insight into what he was writing about in his books, so knwing who John is influences our reading of John.

When was the book written?  To whom was it written?

The hisorical context of a biblical book is important because it allows us to know what kind of problems the author might be addressing in the social context.  It is a common problem for people to apply passages to themselves that were written for a different time and place.  It is also common for people to overlook parallel times in history when the problems being addressed were the same as ours.  The New Testament was written in a time of pluralism and moral laxity.  It addresses themes that are particularly relevant for today’s society.

Why was the book written?

Many of us know “For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16)  How does the statement fit in the context of Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus?  Why are we being told about Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus in the first place?  John wrote his book for slightly different reasons than other gospel authors.  Whenever someone quotes from John the reason for the book should spring to mind.  People write books for reasons.  It is my view that we have become so focused on verses that we miss the reason that they exist.  We have become so focused on the trees that we have missed the wood/forest.

Tomorrow I will answer the questions above.  I will read the NIV Application Commentary introduction on the Book of John and I will also use it to guide me through the book.  You might order a copy.