Gospel of John

[Graydon Booth]

I've heard that the Gospel of John is somehow unreliable, how would you respond to that, because its starting to make me lose faith.

 

[tturt]

Some say that about all the Bible.. But ...

- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Tim 3

His Word helps us understand who God is
-"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psa 146
-"God's Word is our sword - part of God's armor for us. (Eph 6).
- God's word is spirit and life (John 6:63)
- God's word is quick and powerful (Heb).

Suggest reading or rereading John 14-16 especially includes God's peace to us "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14

 

[Strong in Him]

I've heard that the Gospel of John is somehow unreliable, how would you respond to that, because its starting to make me lose faith.

It depends on what you've "heard", who you heard it from, if they have any reason for saying that and whether you trust that over the church, and Holy Spirit's, reasons for placing it in the Bible.

Do you believe what you've heard over what you know about Christ and your faith?

 

[Arctangent]

Lots of people say lots of things. To respond, I would have to respond to specific allegations.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've heard that the Gospel of John is somehow unreliable, how would you respond to that, because its starting to make me lose faith.

How would I respond to this? It's not a straight ahead answer I'd give since, as with any bit of literature from the ancient past, the way in which "unreliable" actually applies in this case will be affected by who it is you've heard use this qualifier ...

For my part, where epistemic justification is concerned, I'd say we don't know the extent to which the Gospel of John is reliable or unreliable and you can do yourself a big favor if you try not to think of the Christian faith as somehow dependant upon this book alone. Since it really isn't.

 

[Graydon Booth]

Lots of people say lots of things. To respond, I would have to respond to specific allegations.

The argument that John and other Johannine writings were "forged". Example:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0142064X19890490

Don't agree with it but I figured it was kind of compelling.

 

[Arctangent]

The argument that John and other Johannine writings were "forged". Example:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0142064X19890490

Don't agree with it but I figured it was kind of compelling.

This addresses some of the ideas found in that paper. It's a great podcast on the whole, imho.

John, Introduction - The Whole Counsel of God | Ancient Faith Ministries

 

[RileyG]

And...? Are these people Christian or do they just want to attack your faith?

 

[Graydon Booth]

And...? Are these people Christian or do they just want to attack your faith?

One was but most aren’t

 

[Graydon Booth]

It depends on what you've "heard", who you heard it from, if they have any reason for saying that and whether you trust that over the church, and Holy Spirit's, reasons for placing it in the Bible.

Do you believe what you've heard over what you know about Christ and your faith?

More conflicted really.

 

[Rachel20]

My favorite is the deutero-Isaiah theory (two different authors of Isaiah), yet Matthew quotes from both parts of the book (beginning and ending), attributing them all to Isaiah. Then there was the idea that Daniel couldn't possibly have been written before the seleucid-ptolemic wars, because it was too accurate. Until a copy was found in Qumrum predating the wars. Bottom line - don't believe everything you hear.

 

[public hermit]

I've heard that the Gospel of John is somehow unreliable, how would you respond to that, because its starting to make me lose faith.

Don't put your faith in the scriptures. Focus your faith on the living Christ and not the words about him. Testimony always points to something other than itself. If we look for faith in the witness, we start off on the wrong foot because the witness is trying to point us to the person. There have been Christians that never read John. There have been Christians who did not see Christ and never read the New Testament. How is that possible? They came to faith in Christ, the person.

 

[com7fy8]

Consider the Lord's prayer, in John 17. This is reliable > Jesus prayed this according to His faith.

 

[Strong in Him]

More conflicted really.

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[tturt]

We're to take every thought captive (II Cor 10:5). That means when we have thoughts that are not in line with Scripture, focus on God and His Word.

You could begin with "All scripture is given by inspiration of God...:" II Tim 3

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." Pro 30

Jesus said "... it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt 4

What are some of your favorite Scriptures? You can rely on those

 

[DragonFox91]

That's a very long article. I think it would be helpful for it to be summarized or some key points. Is this some more of the 'John is too theological so was clearly written later when the theology was more developed' kind of thing?

 

[Jonaitis]

I've heard that the Gospel of John is somehow unreliable, how would you respond to that, because its starting to make me lose faith.

Don't put faith in the determination of the canon, but what it teaches. There was a time, a long time ago, when the canon was not universally agreed upon, and there were many books read and believed upon by early Christians that are no longer accepted in most churches today because of its unreliability, and there were some books in our canon that almost didn't make the cut!

 

[Jonaitis]

Then there was the idea that Daniel couldn't possibly have been written before the seleucid-ptolemic wars, because it was too accurate.

I disagree, but will not expound on that here.