2008 August

Greetings to all on 10 AUG 2008

Word for the Day
agora - Literally, open space, commonly used for the marketplace. Agoraphobia is a fear of open places, such as a shopping mall.

Quote for the Day
It's not what I don't know about the Bible that scares me. It's what I do know. Mark Twain

Website for the Day
www.patrickmead.net
Patrick is a minister with the Rochester COC near Detroit MI. Check it out; he’s not your typical preacher.

Thought for the Day
Last month, we introduced a historical-critical look at the Gospel of John and left you with the question of why only John develops a theology of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). As second-generation Christians, John’s audience would not have witnessed the seminal events of 50 years earlier. Perhaps they knew that the gift of the Holy Spirit was for all generations, but the apostolic age had come to a close and they may have felt like second-rate Christians. The faith of these Christians came from hearing the stories from parents and others and, perhaps, someone who had been taught by an apostle. John said “blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.” [JOH 20.29] Now I see that this was written to his immediate audience, not just for the future.

The germ of this idea came from a message I heard earlier this year. [1] I always knew some of the trademarks of John as the non-synoptic gospel, but it had never dawned on me to explore why only John had such a lengthy discussion of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). In fact, Matthew, Mark and Luke make almost no mention of the coming counselor. [2]

John begins in chapter 14.16 to comfort the disciples by explaining the advent of the Holy Spirit. If we accept the historical setting posited in last month’s issue, then the recipients of John’s message were subject to economic hardship, at the minimum, and potentially life threatening persecution. Entering the market place (agora) required vowing allegiance to Caesar, thereby recognizing him as a god. When a Pharisee handed Jesus a coin and asked if they should pay taxes, his answer was more than just, “Yes, you should pay your taxes.” [MAT 22.18-22] “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s” is really saying that Caesar is not a god. Think about it. [3] If you were shut out from the agora, then you were economically disenfranchised. And, failure to honor Caesar as a god could result in death. Some traditions record that Philip (the evangelist) was executed because he refused to walk through the city gate, which was an implicit acknowledgment of Caesar’s divinity. Philip was forced to watch the execution of all his daughters before he was crucified. The daughters all urged their father to not renounce his faith. [4]

John continues to develop a theology of the Ruach HaKodesh through the next couple of chapters. His audience needs to be comforted with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is with them and within them just as surely as it was with those first Christians. The counselor will lead us to truth [14.26], comfort us in affliction [16.22-24], and guide our path [15.26-27].

For at least a century, many fellowships have denied the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives. Like John’s flock, we need to be assured that we are not left alone. Essentially, we are all second-generation Christians, which means that the Gospel of John is for us too!

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

1. Randy Harris, How to Stay Sane when Everybody Else is Crazy, message presented at the Tulsa ISSW, 26 March 2008

2. See MAT 3.11 and LUK 11.13; 24.49 for a mention of the Holy Spirit but with no elaboration. Let me know if you find other references.

3. This also fits with one of John’s themes, ie. Jesus is God incarnate.

4. Ray Vander Laan, When the Rabbi Says, That the World May Know, 56 W 8th St. Ste. 250, Holland MI 49423, 2004