NT323 Book Study: The Gospel of John
Overview
Dr. Joel Willitts brings his experience in both ministry and academia to this detailed, application-based study of the Gospel of John. Dr. Willitts encourages students to read the Gospel as an ancient text written to an ancient community of believers, inspiring a unique encounter with Jesus.
Top Highlights
“He says the identity of Jesus—this is the point that John’s making here in this section—the identity of Jesus as the Word of God and the true light (that’s who he’s presenting this person to be) captures the mission of Jesus, which is to reveal God the Father so that people might believe and become children of God. This identity of Jesus constitutes the purpose for which John the Baptist arrives on the scene.” (source)
“Now, what does ‘life’ mean in John? Simply said, life is the purpose of the whole motion of God’s work in the Bible. It has this end-time—what we say, eschatological—element to it. It’s not merely about the length of life, eternal, forever and ever and ever. It also has the idea of the quality of life. This is a life that lasts forever, but it is the most fullest kind of life.” (source)
“The question comes in the first chapter, in verse 38. ‘Turning around,’ the Gospel says, ‘Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ ’ I want that question to sit with you for a moment. ‘What do you want?’ In the Greek that word could be translated ‘What are you searching for?’ ‘What are you seeking?’” (source)
“The purpose is to create and sustain belief. That’s one of the key terms in this passage—‘belief.’” (source)
“The assembling of the disciples around Jesus as Israel’s Messiah, the one who will bring heaven and earth, was the result of the testimony of John, the invitation of other disciples, and the call of Jesus.” (source)
- Title: NT323 Book Study: The Gospel of John
- Author: Joel Willitts
- Series: Logos Mobile Education
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Courseware
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. John › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries; Education › Bible. N.T. John--Criticism, interpretation, etc; Education › Bible. N.T. John--Commentaries
- Resource ID: LLS:NT323WILLITTS
- Resource Type: Courseware Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-04T00:31:16Z
Dr. Joel Willitts is an associate professor in the biblical and theological studies department at North Park University. After graduating with a BS, he spent seven years in youth ministry in Texas, Florida, and Illinois. He earned a ThM (2000), an MPhil (2002), and a PhD (2007) from Cambridge University in England.
He has a wide breadth of experience within both the church and academia. Dr. Willitts has researched and published books, essays, and journal articles on the New Testament’s Jewish context. He is currently working on a Galatians commentary, a book on Jesus as the Davidic Son, and a book about sexual abuse.
Dr. Willitts’ passion for the local church has remained strong throughout his education and professional life. He is a fellow at the Center for Pastoral Theology, a group that promotes theology in and for the local church. He has been married to his wife, Karla, for 20 years, and they have six-year-old twins, Zion and Mary. They live in Saint Charles, Illinois.