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FAITH AND TESTIMONY IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN
Božidar Mrakovčić
; KBF – Zagreb, Teologija u Rijeci
Sažetak
John’s Gospel is marked by the theme of faith and testimony, in comparison with the synoptic gospels. The close relationship of these two issues is evidenced in the beginning (Jn 1,7) and in the end of the Gospel (Jn 19,35). A short presentation of these two Johanine themes and their mutual relationship is the aim of this contribution. In the first part, following a semantic methodology, the verb “believe” (pisteu,w) in John is analysed, as well as the expressions belonging to the same semantic field: see, listen to Jesus, come to him, follow him, know him. Author concludes that “to believe” in John means “to accept the testimony of the revelation which comes from God through Jesus, to accept Jesus as the only revelator and mediator of the salvation and to cleave to him with life”. A mature faith consists in a full communion of life with Jesus, and it necessarily includes a public confession of faith in Jesus in words and in mutual love, i.e. a testimony of life. The theme of testimony in John’s Gospel is exposed in the second part of the article. After a brief semantic analysis of the verb “to testify” (martureu,w), and of the noun “testimony” (marturi,a), following a synchronic approach the main recurrences of these two words are analysed, more or less thoroughly. The testimony of John the Baptist is analysed in detail, since he is a model of a witness in the fourth Gospel. The testimony of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit and the disciples of Jesus are presented in general terms, just as the testimonies of the beloved disciple and of the Johanine community. The conclusion relates the two themes to each other. Author concludes that the Gospel of John teaches us that faith is always based on testimony: on the acceptance of the testimony of Jesus and Jesus’s witnesses. Today a Christian should actively join that chain of witnesses that brought him to faith, living his faith through the guidance of the Spirit as an experience of an authentic communion with God.
Ključne riječi
Gospel according to John; faith; testimony; John the Baptist; beloved disciple; see; listen; know
Hrčak ID:
71249
URI
Datum izdavanja:
12.7.2011.
Posjeta: 2.956 *