1. Scott tells us that Jesus is most commonly referred to as the "Son of man" in the gospel of John. What was John trying to get readers to know about Jesus as being the "Son of man", instead of emphasizing him as the "Son of God?"
2. According to Scott John had a specific purpose in using the word „sign‟. What was John‟s his primary purpose in using this word according to Scott, and what does this word reveal about the character of Jesus?
3. In Scott‟s discussion of John 6:44-45 he notes a significance about the Greek word helkuo. How does understanding the Greek meaning of this word change your understanding of the verse? and/or your understanding of God.
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1. John seemed to be emphasizing the things that happened while Christ was fully man. He was lifted up and glorified while still human, and not as some otherworldly being.
ReplyDelete2. Scott argues that the use of the word sign meant Christ was using these acts to point to something. I think Scott has a point. These acts pointed to Jesus as the Christ. As well as this, after these acts, Jesus would say things like, "your faith has healed you,” pointing not to His own power but to their belief in Him and essentially God. If God’s only concern is His own glory, then these signs would surely point in that direction.
3. Well, after finding the footnote in which this is referenced, I would say that it does change my understanding of the verse. It is not so much the gentle drawing near as I had pictured. It does not, however, revolutionize my view of God, or make me a Calvinist, which I have a sneaking suspicion was the point of this question.
1.) I believe that John was trying to get his reader to understand that what he did as the "Son of Man" was every bit as important as what he did as the "Son of God."
ReplyDelete2.) John's primary purpose for using the word sign is made clear in Scott's quote from page 74. The signs are there to "lead the reader to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31). These signs point to the uniqueness of his character. He was not only fully man, but fully God.
3.) Understanding what the word helkuo means change how I view this verse. We come to the Father not only because He desires us to be with Him, but, according to this world, there is somewhat of a gravitional pull toward go. Knowing now what this word means assures me that God will pull me in if I ever stray from Him.
2.) Luke, I enjoyed your last statment on this answer to the question. These signs and wonders that Jesus completed certainly were completed for one primary purpose, and that is the glory of God.
ReplyDelete3.) Luke, thank you for your careful pointing out of possible Calvinistic undertones in question 3. I didn't catch that when I originally read the question, but when I re-read it and then reviewed that section in the chapter, it is quite apparent that the person that wrote that question does have some Calvinistic leanings.
1. Brian, I think your right about JOhn trying to aphasize the importance of being fully man as well as fully God, since we tend to see that from the start with John.
ReplyDelete2. Brian, it certainly seems that these signs would point to Christ's messiaship rather than simply being miracles for the sake of doing good.