This April, the theology round-table program, WHITE HORSE INN (Sun 800
The first program (week of April 7) opens with a picture of the ministry of John the Baptist. Like the “best man” who comes to “prepare the way” for the bridegroom, John’s goal is not to point at himself, but to place the spotlight entirely on Jesus. The hosts will unpack this way of thinking about Christian ministry.
Many argue that John is the latest of all the four gospels and presents an idealized instead of historical picture of Jesus. Can any of its historical claims be verified? How does John differ from later spurious texts such as the Gnostic Gospels? On the second program (week of April 14), Shane Rosenthal will discuss these questions and more with New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg, author of The Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel.
The third program (April 21), on Easter Week, brings us to the striking encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. What does Jesus mean when he speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well about “living water,” and what are the Old Testament roots of this imagery? Who were the Samaritans anyway, and why were they so despised by the Judeans of the first century? The hosts begin chapter four of John’s Gospel.
Throughout Israel’s long history, true worship was limited to the area of the tabernacle, which was later transformed to become the Jerusalem temple. But in John chapter four, Jesus says that “the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” What are the implications of this statement, and are there any hints in the Old Testament that such a transition would take place? On the fourth program (April 28), Shane Rosenthal discusses this with G.K. Beale, author of The Temple and the Church’s Mission.