Of First Importance

Posted on Nov 2, 2019

According to the Apostle Paul, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is of “first importance” (1Cor. 15:3).

This month, WHITE HORSE INN (Sun 800, Tue 1430, Thu 100) arrives at the Resurrection and its aftermath in its year-long journey through the Gospel of John.

There are important differences between John’s version of the story and the Synoptic accounts. How many women arrived at the tomb, and in what order? How many angels did they actually encounter? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Lydia McGrew, author of Hidden in Plain View: Unexplained Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts, the week of November 3.

In John’s version of the resurrection account, after placing his hands in Christ’s wounds, Thomas says to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Was this just an exclamation of surprise, or was this a confession of Jesus’ divinity? Also, what did Jesus first say to his followers when he first revealed himself to them? The second program of the month the hosts features a discussion on the second half of John chapter 20.

Does John’s Gospel really end at chapter 20? Some scholars have argued that chapter 21 is a later addition. The third program of the month explains the structure of John — that it has both a prologue and epilogue. Also on this episode, clues that point to the identity of the “Beloved Disciple”.

In the second half of John chapter 21, Jesus turns to Peter three times and asks him, “Do you love me?” What the point he’s making, and how does it relate to events that have already transpired? How has John’s theological emphasis shifted at this point of his Gospel? WHITE HORSEE INN hosts conclude the “verse-by-verse” portion of their year-long study of the Gospel of John at the close of the month of November.