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Introduction to the New Testament: Romans to Revelation - Lesson 33

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Epistles of John (Part 2)

Major themes in John's epistles are sin, the love of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and the importance of obedience.

Craig Blomberg
Craig Blomberg
Introduction to the New Testament: Romans to Revelation
Lesson 33
Watching Now
Epistles of John (Part 2)

Letters of John

Part 1

I. The Epistles of John

A. Emphases in John's Writings

[John's gospel vs. 1 John]

1. Deity of Christ vs. Humanity of Christ

2. Empowering believers to keep commands vs. Reminder against claims of sinlessness

3. Realized eschatology vs. Future eschatology

4. Guidance of the Holy Spirit vs. Test the spirits

B. Gnostic Doctrines vs. John's Tests of Life

1. Perfectionism vs. keep the commandments

2. Antinomianism vs. commandments and love

3. Docetism vs. belief in Christ's full humanity

C. The Tests of Life (1 John)

1. Keeping God's commandments

a. Cycle 1 - 1:5-2:6

b. Cycle 2 – 2:28-3:10

c. Cycle 3 – 5:16-21

2. Loving one another

a. Cycle 1 – 2:7-17

b. Cycle 2 - 3:11-24

c. Cycle 3 – 4:7-21

3. Believing in Jesus as the God-man

a. Cycle 1 – 2:18-27

b. Cycle 2 – 4:1-6

c. Cycle 3 – 5:1-15

[Each test entails the other two (3:23-24)]

D. Additional Notes on John's Letters

1. 1 John 1:9 – salvation vs. fellowship

2. 3:2 – moral not physical similarities

3. 4:4 – Spirit in us more powerful than Satan

4. 4:18 – love casting out fear

5. 5:6-7 – the Johannine "comma" and the meaning of the remaining text

6. 5:13 – present tense belief

7. 5:16 – not commanding prayer vs. commanding no prayer

8. 3 John 2 – spiritual vs. physical health

E. Gems from John (or are they??)

1. I John 3:6-9

2. 1 John 2:3-6

3. 1 John 2:16

4. 1 John 2:19

5. 1 John 2:20-23

6. 1 John 2:27

7. 1 John 3:17-18

8. 1 John 3:19-24

9. 1 John 4:1-4

10. 1 John 4:7-12

11. 1 John 5:16-17

12. 2 John 10-11

F. The Johannine Community

1. Gospel: contra schismatics

2. 1st Epistle: schismatics have begun to secede

3. 2nd Epistle: secessionists attacking from outside

4. 3rd Epistle: orthodoxy an embattled minority

5. Revelation: lost their first love


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  • 1. Introduction to Paul

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 2. Introduction to Paul (Part 2)

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 3. Introduction to Paul (Part 3)

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 4. Galatians

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 5. Galatians (Part 2)

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 6. Galatians (Part 3)

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 7. Thessalonians

    The return of Christ is a central theme in the letters to the Thessalonians.

  • 8. Thessalonians (Part 2)

    The return of Christ is a central theme in the letters to the Thessalonians.

  • 9. 1 Corinthians

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 10. 1 Corinthians (Part 2)

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 11. 1 Corinthians (Part 3)

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 12. 2 Corinthians

    Paul responds to specific situations in the Corinthian church including emphasizing a correct perspective on giving and encouragement to see God's redemptive purpose in our suffering.

  • 13. 2 Corinthians (Part 2)

    Paul responds to specific situations in the Corinthian church including emphasizing a correct perspective on giving and encouragement to see God's redemptive purpose in our suffering.

  • 14. Romans

    Paul wrote Romans as a systematic exposition of the gospel.

  • 15. Romans (Part 2)

    Paul wrote Romans as a systematic exposition of the gospel.

  • 16. Colossians and Philemon

    In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the deity of Christ. Philemon was written to a gentlema Paul knows to encourage him to welcome back Onesimus, his runaway slave, who became a disciple of Christ and was returning.

  • 17. Colossians and Philemon (Part 2)

    In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the deity of Christ. Philemon was written to a gentlema Paul knows to encourage him to welcome back Onesimus, his runaway slave, who became a disciple of Christ and was returning.

  • 18. Ephesians

    Paul describes to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, who they are in Christ, and the ethical implications for how they should live their daily lives.

  • 19. Ephesians (Part 2)

    Paul describes to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, who they are in Christ, and the ethical implications for how they should live their daily lives.

  • 20. Philippians

    Paul contrasts the condescention and the exaltation of Christ, and addresses specific situations in the Philippian church.

  • 21. Pastoral Epistles

    Paul writes to encourage and instruct Timothy and Titus, both of whom are young pastors.

  • 22. Pastoral Epistles (Part 2)

    Paul writes to encourage and instruct Timothy and Titus, both of whom are young pastors.

  • 23. Gender Roles

    Both 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians contain key passages addressing the roles of men and women in the local church.

  • 24. Gender Roles (Part 2)

    Both 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians contain key passages addressing the roles of men and women in the local church.

  • 25. James

    The book of James emphasizes that people demonstrate that they have true faith in Christ by their good works.

  • 26. James (Part 2)

    The book of James emphasizes that people demonstrate that they have true faith in Christ by their good works.

  • 27. Hebrews

    Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians to demonstrate how Christ fulfilled the Mosaic covenant.

  • 28. Hebrews (Part 2)

    Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians to demonstrate how Christ fulfilled the Mosaic covenant.

  • 29. 1 Peter

    1 Peter encourages followers of Christ to persevere even though they face persecution.

  • 30. 1 Peter (Part 2)

    1 Peter encourages followers of Christ to persevere even though they face persecution.

  • 31. Jude and 2 Peter

    Jude and 2 Peter both emphasize refuting false teachers.

  • 32. Epistles of John

    Major themes in John's epistles are sin, the love of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and the importance of obedience.

  • 33. Epistles of John (Part 2)

    Major themes in John's epistles are sin, the love of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and the importance of obedience.

  • 34. Revelation (Part 1)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 35. Revelation (Part 2)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 36. Revelation (Part 3)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 37. Revelation (Part 4)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

Using the English New Testament, this course surveys the New Testament epistles and the apocalypse. Issues of introduction and content receive emphasis as well as a continual focus on the theology of evangelism and on the contemporary relevance of the variety of issues these documents raise for contemporary life.

 

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