Numerous scholars attest that “the disciple that Jesus loved” of the Gospel of John is a literary creation.
James Dunn
James Dunn, a British New Testament scholar, has written extensively on the Gospel of John and the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. In his book “The Evidence for Jesus”, Dunn suggests that the “beloved disciple” is not a historical figure, but rather a literary creation intended to represent the ideal disciple.
Dunn argues that the “beloved disciple” was created by the author of the Gospel of John as a way of emphasizing the importance of the disciple's relationship with Jesus, rather than his identity as a specific historical figure. According to Dunn, the character of the “beloved disciple” serves as a model for all Christians to follow, rather than as a specific individual who actually existed.
Dunn also suggests that the character of the “beloved disciple” was intended to counteract the influence of other Christian groups that were competing with the Johannine community, and to emphasize the unique message of the Gospel of John.
Overall, while James Dunn does not argue that the “beloved disciple” is a purely fictional creation, he does suggest that the character was created for specific theological and literary purposes, rather than being based on a specific historical individual.
Raymond Brown
Raymond Brown was an American Catholic priest and New Testament scholar who was widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on the Gospel of John. In his seminal two-volume commentary on the Gospel of John, “The Gospel According to John (I-XII)” and “The Gospel According to John (XIII-XXI),” Brown provides a detailed analysis of the text and its historical context.
With respect to the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” Brown acknowledges that there is no clear evidence to identify him with any particular historical figure, and suggests that the character may be a literary creation or composite of several historical individuals. He notes that the character is largely defined by his relationship to Jesus, and serves as a model of discipleship.
However, Brown also notes that the character's presence in the Gospel reflects the importance of personal relationships in early Christian communities, and suggests that the character may represent a particular group or faction within the Johannine community that produced the Gospel. Brown ultimately concludes that the question of the historicity of the character is less important than the Gospel's message about the relationship between Jesus and his disciples.
Overall, Brown's work on the Gospel of John recognizes the complexity and ambiguity of the text and its characters, and emphasizes the importance of historical and literary context in interpreting it. While he suggests that the “disciple whom Jesus loved” may be a literary creation, he also acknowledges the character's symbolic significance and importance in the Gospel's message.
Warren Carter
Warren Carter, an American New Testament scholar, has also written extensively on the Gospel of John and the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. In his book “John and Empire: Initial Explorations”, Carter argues that the “beloved disciple” is a literary creation intended to represent the ideal disciple, rather than a specific historical figure.
According to Carter, the character of the “beloved disciple” serves as a model for the Johannine community to follow, and represents the ideal way of following Jesus in a context of Roman imperial power. Carter suggests that the character of the “beloved disciple” was created to provide a counter-narrative to the Roman imperial ideology of power and domination, and to offer a vision of a different kind of community based on love, service, and mutual support.
Carter also suggests that the character of the “beloved disciple” was created as a way of highlighting the importance of the Johannine community's unique message and identity, and to distinguish it from other Christian groups of the time. According to Carter, the “beloved disciple” serves as a symbol of the Johannine community's distinctive beliefs and practices, rather than as a specific historical figure.
Overall, while Warren Carter does not argue that the “beloved disciple” is a purely fictional creation, he does suggest that the character was created for specific theological and literary purposes, and that its primary function is symbolic rather than historical.
R. Alan Culpepper
R. Alan Culpepper, an American New Testament scholar, has also written extensively on the Gospel of John and the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. In his book “Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design”, Culpepper argues that the “beloved disciple” is a literary creation, rather than a specific historical figure.
According to Culpepper, the character of the “beloved disciple” serves as a narrative device used by the author of the Gospel of John to provide an eyewitness perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus. Culpepper suggests that the character was created to lend credibility and authority to the Gospel's account of Jesus, and to provide readers with a sense of immediacy and intimacy with Jesus' teachings and actions.
Culpepper also suggests that the character of the “beloved disciple” was created as a way of highlighting the theme of love that is central to the Gospel of John. According to Culpepper, the “beloved disciple” serves as a symbol of the kind of relationship that all believers are called to have with Jesus, and represents the ideal of love and devotion to which all Christians should aspire.
Overall, while R. Alan Culpepper does not argue that the “beloved disciple” is a purely fictional creation, he does suggest that the character was created for specific literary and theological purposes, rather than being based on a specific historical individual.
Rudolf Bultmann
Rudolf Bultmann was a German Lutheran theologian and New Testament scholar who made significant contributions to the study of the Gospel of John. Bultmann is perhaps best known for his emphasis on the existential interpretation of the New Testament, which stressed the importance of understanding the text in terms of its relevance to contemporary human experience.
With respect to the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” Bultmann argued that the character is a literary creation rather than a historical figure. He noted that the character is not mentioned in any of the synoptic Gospels, and that his presence in the Gospel of John is largely defined by his relationship to Jesus.
Bultmann suggested that the character may have been invented by the author of the Gospel as a way of expressing his own views about the nature of discipleship and the relationship between Jesus and his followers. He also noted that the character's anonymity and lack of a clear identity make him a convenient literary device for the author.
Overall, Bultmann's work on the Gospel of John emphasized the importance of understanding the text in terms of its symbolic and existential significance, rather than as a straightforward historical or biographical account. He viewed the “disciple whom Jesus loved” as a literary creation that reflects the author's own theological and philosophical concerns.
Tim Mackie
Tim Mackie is an American biblical scholar and co-founder of The Bible Project, which is a non-profit animation studio that produces animated videos on various biblical topics, including the Gospel of John. While he is not a traditional academic scholar with a PhD in New Testament studies, he has been trained in biblical languages and has a deep knowledge of the Bible.
In his videos on the Gospel of John, Mackie suggests that the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is likely a literary creation. He argues that the character was created to represent the ideal disciple, and that his anonymity and vague description allow readers to project themselves onto the character and see themselves as the beloved disciple.
Mackie also suggests that the Gospel of John as a whole is a highly literary work, filled with symbolism, metaphor, and narrative devices. He argues that the story of the raising of Lazarus, for example, may be a literary creation intended to represent the theme of resurrection and new life, rather than a historical event.
Overall, while Tim Mackie's approach to the Gospel of John is not traditional, he offers a unique perspective on the text that emphasizes its literary and theological richness.
Harold Attridge
Harold Attridge is an American New Testament scholar who has written extensively on the Gospel of John and other New Testament texts. In his commentary on the Gospel of John in the “The HarperCollins Bible Commentary,” Attridge suggests that the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is likely a literary creation.
Attridge argues that the character serves a theological purpose in the Gospel, representing the ideal disciple who is able to understand and embody Jesus' message of love and compassion. He notes that the character's anonymity and vague description allow readers to identify with him and see themselves as beloved disciples.
At the same time, Attridge emphasizes the historical and literary complexity of the Gospel of John, suggesting that it cannot be reduced to a simple binary of historical fact or fiction. He argues that the Gospel reflects the historical context of its composition, while also employing literary devices and symbolism to convey theological and spiritual meaning.
Overall, while Attridge's approach to the Gospel of John is nuanced and complex, he is among the scholars who view the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved” as a literary creation.
D. Moody Smith
D. Moody Smith was an American New Testament scholar who specialized in the Gospel of John and the letters of Paul. In his commentary on the Gospel of John in the “The Anchor Yale Bible,” Smith suggests that the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is likely a literary creation.
Smith argues that the character serves as a literary device in the Gospel, representing the ideal disciple who is able to understand and embody Jesus' message of love and compassion. He notes that the character's anonymity and vague description allow readers to identify with him and see themselves as beloved disciples.
At the same time, Smith emphasizes the historical and cultural context of the Gospel, suggesting that it reflects the concerns and interests of the Johannine community that produced it. He also notes the complex interplay of history and theology in the Gospel, suggesting that it cannot be reduced to a simple binary of historical fact or fiction.
Overall, while Smith acknowledges the historical complexity of the Gospel of John, he is among the scholars who view the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved” as a literary creation.
Wayne Meeks
Wayne Meeks was an American New Testament scholar who specialized in early Christianity, and in particular the social and cultural context of the New Testament texts. In his influential book, “The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul,” Meeks does not specifically address the question of the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”
However, in his essay “The Man from Heaven in Johannine Sectarianism,” Meeks suggests that the Gospel of John was written for a specific religious community with a particular theological agenda. He argues that the Gospel was not meant to be a straightforward historical or biographical account of the life of Jesus, but rather a theological interpretation of his teachings and significance.
Meeks notes that the Gospel of John employs a number of literary devices and symbolic elements, including the character of the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” to convey its theological message. While Meeks does not directly address the question of whether the character is historical or fictional, his work on the Gospel of John suggests that he views it as a complex and highly symbolic text that cannot be reduced to a simple binary of fact or fiction.
Overall, while Meeks does not offer a definitive position on the historicity of the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” his work on the Gospel of John suggests that he views the text as a product of a particular religious community with a theological agenda, rather than a straightforward historical or biographical account.
Vincent Henry Stanton
Vincent Henry Stanton was a British theologian and biblical scholar who made important contributions to the study of the New Testament, including the Gospel of John. Stanton's work on the Gospel of John focused on its literary and historical features, as well as its relationship to the wider context of early Christianity.
With respect to the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” Stanton argued that the character is likely a literary creation rather than a historical figure. He noted that the character's anonymity and lack of a clear identity suggest that he was not a prominent figure in the early Christian community, and that his presence in the Gospel may reflect the author's theological and literary concerns rather than historical reality.
Stanton also emphasized the symbolic and theological significance of the character, noting that his relationship with Jesus serves as a model of discipleship and that his presence in key moments of the Gospel underscores the importance of Jesus' love for his followers.
Overall, Stanton's work on the Gospel of John emphasized the importance of understanding the text in its historical and literary context, while also recognizing the symbolic and theological significance of its characters and themes. While he suggested that the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is likely a literary creation, he also recognized the importance of the character's role in the Gospel's depiction of discipleship and Jesus' relationship with his followers.
G. H. C. MacGregor
G. H. C. MacGregor was a Scottish biblical scholar who contributed to the study of the New Testament, including the Gospel of John. MacGregor's work on the Gospel of John focused on its literary and theological features, as well as its historical and cultural context.
With respect to the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” MacGregor argued that the character is a literary creation and not a historical figure. He noted that the character's anonymity and lack of a clear identity may reflect the author's desire to emphasize the importance of discipleship and the relationship between Jesus and his followers.
MacGregor also suggested that the character may have been intended to represent the ideal disciple or the community of Jesus' followers as a whole. He noted that the character's close relationship with Jesus and his understanding of Jesus' teachings may reflect the author's vision for the ideal relationship between Jesus and his followers.
Overall, MacGregor's work on the Gospel of John emphasized the importance of understanding the text in its literary, theological, and historical context. While he believed that the “disciple whom Jesus loved” was a literary creation, he also recognized the significance of the character's role in the Gospel's depiction of Jesus' relationship with his followers.
C.K. Barret
C.K. Barrett, in his book “The Gospel According to St John: An Introduction with Commentary and Notes on the Greek Text” (2nd edition, 1978), argues that the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is a literary creation. He notes that the character is never named, and that there is no evidence outside of the Gospel of John that such a disciple ever existed. Barrett suggests that the character is a symbolic representation of the ideal disciple, and that the author of the Gospel of John may have used this character to convey theological messages.
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