2018年10月19日
Emphasis on Love in the Johannine Literature and Its Historical Background
5th Conference of Asia-Pacific Liaison Committee Conference of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, Taiwan 2018
- 記述言語
- 英語
- 会議種別
- 口頭発表（一般）
- 主催者
- Asia-Pacific Liaison Committee, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas
- 開催地
- Chung Yuan Christian University
This paper tries to explain why love was emphasized in the Johannine literature through an exploration of the
historical background to the texts.
It has been repeatedly stated that a division in the faith community formed the background of the Johannine
literature. For example, the author of the Gospel of John wrote about it in chapter 6. The theme of the division involved discussions about what the opponents’ views. During the Farewell discourse, unity among disciples is strongly recommended, and mutual love among them is emphasized: therefore, the necessity of love had been expounded.
1 John emphasizes, in the often called “the Letter of Love,” the importance of mutual love. At the same time, a division in the faith community exists in the background: it seems that it resembles the division throughout the Gospel of John. The stress on love in this document suggests some historical situation necessitates it. 2 John writes,as in 1 John, about the opponents of the community. It also emphasizes love among its members. 3 John does not make any clear recommendations to love each other like 1 John or 2 John. Still, it deals with a problematic church leader. Therefore, it implies some conflict exists in the community.
Scholars have paid little attention to the common background emphasis of these texts so far. Yet, as we have
seen above, it is clear that all four documents include the command to love and conflict in their communities. Due to the conflict and division of early church communities, the members became very disturbed. The leader(s) of the community needed to respond to such situations: they appealed to the community for unity, and tried to calm them. This was expressed as an emphasis on “mutual love.”
Also, there were condemnations of the people who left the church community in these texts. Such
condemnations were opposed to the people who argued that those who had left might be right, and those who
remained may be wrong. Therefore, the leaders emphasized that the people who left were wrong so they could
strengthen the union of their community.
Thus, there are conflicts and divisions in the Johannine community as a background to the emphasis on love.
The emphasis functioned to tighten the unity of their community.
historical background to the texts.
It has been repeatedly stated that a division in the faith community formed the background of the Johannine
literature. For example, the author of the Gospel of John wrote about it in chapter 6. The theme of the division involved discussions about what the opponents’ views. During the Farewell discourse, unity among disciples is strongly recommended, and mutual love among them is emphasized: therefore, the necessity of love had been expounded.
1 John emphasizes, in the often called “the Letter of Love,” the importance of mutual love. At the same time, a division in the faith community exists in the background: it seems that it resembles the division throughout the Gospel of John. The stress on love in this document suggests some historical situation necessitates it. 2 John writes,as in 1 John, about the opponents of the community. It also emphasizes love among its members. 3 John does not make any clear recommendations to love each other like 1 John or 2 John. Still, it deals with a problematic church leader. Therefore, it implies some conflict exists in the community.
Scholars have paid little attention to the common background emphasis of these texts so far. Yet, as we have
seen above, it is clear that all four documents include the command to love and conflict in their communities. Due to the conflict and division of early church communities, the members became very disturbed. The leader(s) of the community needed to respond to such situations: they appealed to the community for unity, and tried to calm them. This was expressed as an emphasis on “mutual love.”
Also, there were condemnations of the people who left the church community in these texts. Such
condemnations were opposed to the people who argued that those who had left might be right, and those who
remained may be wrong. Therefore, the leaders emphasized that the people who left were wrong so they could
strengthen the union of their community.
Thus, there are conflicts and divisions in the Johannine community as a background to the emphasis on love.
The emphasis functioned to tighten the unity of their community.