Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the various Johannine narratives found in writings in the period from Papias (early second century) to Eusebius (early fourth century). Dean Furlong argues that the first major revision of the Johannine narrative was the identification of John the Evangelist with John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee, at the beginning of the third century. This in turn initiated a process of reinterpretation, as the previously-separate narratives of the two figures were variously spun into new configurations during the third and fourth centuries. This process culminated with Eusebius’s synthesis of the Johannine traditions, which came to form the basis of what is considered the “traditional” Johannine story. Furlong concludes that in the earliest narrative, found in Papias, John the Evangelist was identified, not with the Apostle, but with another disciple of Jesus known as John the Elder.
Trade ReviewThis is an excellent examination of the historical sources regarding the John who wrote the Gospel, and the various traditions concerning his identity, his death, and his place amongst the Evangelists. This will no doubt become a standard reference point for many years to come. -- Fr John Behr, St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York, and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
Table of ContentsIntroduction Section 1: The Identity of the Evangelist Chapter 1: Papias’s Two Johns Chapter 2: The Traditions of the Death of John Chapter 3: John the Evangelist in the Earliest Sources Section 2: Conflated Figures, Revised Narratives Chapter 4: Hippolytus and the Claudian Exile Tradition Chapter 5: Hippolytus, Gaius, and the Alogoi Chapter 6: Eusebius and the Domitianic Exile Tradition Section 3: Towards a Reconstruction of the Earliest Tradition Chapter 7: The Tradition of John’s Neronian Exile Chapter 8: Papian Traditions on the Gospel of John Chapter 9: John on the Τάξις of the Gospels Chapter 10: Papias and the Publication of John’s Gospel Conclusion
