7 Graeco-Roman Belief: Devotion to the Gods
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‘In Order that You Might Believe’ Reshaping Devotion to the Gods for John’s Graeco-Roman Readers Christopher Seglenieks A thesis submitted to the Australian College of Theology in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy Principal Supervisor: Bill Salier Co-supervisor: Mark Kulikovsky Supervising College: Bible College of South Australia Examiners: Dorothy A. Lee, Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne Warren Carter, Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa Christopher W. Skinner, Loyola University, Chicago 1 Candidate I certify that the substance of this thesis of 100,660 words has not previously been submitted for any degree and is not currently being submitted for any other degree. I also certify that any assistance received in conducting the research embodied in the dissertation, any editorial assistance, and all sources used, have been appropriately described and acknowledged in the text or notes. Signature ___________________________ Date: 10/10/2019 2 Abstract Belief is a recognised focus of John’s Gospel, indicated both by the prevalence of πιστεύω and the stated purpose of the Gospel as written “in order that you might believe” (20:31). Scholarly attention has centred upon Jesus as the object of belief resulting in a primary focus upon propositional belief. This overlooks the complexity of the response to Jesus for which the Gospel calls. The intended response to Jesus involves not merely propositional belief, but related ideas such as knowing, loving, obeying, receiving, and abiding. These inter-related ideas convey the complexity of genuine belief, the belief that leads to life. A thorough analysis of the network of terms, in the context of narratives that convey the ideal response to Jesus, leads to a rich description of genuine belief as composed of cognitive, relational, ethical, ongoing, and public aspects. The complexity and pervasiveness of the presentation of belief demands to be accounted for. The purpose of the complexity of the Johannine concept of belief is especially understood when the Gospel is read in its Graeco-Roman context. By exploring the religious repertoire of a plausible early audience of the Gospel, a picture can be established of the patterns of devotion that the audience may have brought to the text. In light of these patterns, it becomes evident that the author seeks to reshape such devotion to the gods into a form of believing that aligns with the identity of Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. Christological motivations shape the Johannine concept of belief and necessitate presenting to the audience not only who to believe but also how to believe in order to have life. Reshaping the pattern of devotion of the audience requires a multi-faceted and pervasive presentation of belief, which informs the way the ideal audience is to respond to Jesus. 3 Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisors, Bill Salier and Mark Kulikovsky. They have both been generous with their time and their knowledge, they have been accessible when I have had questions, and they have asked questions about my project that needed asking. They have encouraged me both through the challenging stages, and to take chances and get my work out there. They have also consistently affirmed that this is my project, and their comments and questions should only be a guide, which does of course mean I have to take responsibility for what follows. I am grateful for the community of scholars at BCSA, the warmth and friendship. Katy Smith, Chris Fresch, David Wright and Tim Patrick have all heard or read parts of the project and offered their advice. Indeed, Mark and Katy are largely to blame for me undertaking a PhD, as it was not originally my plan, and now that I have come through it, I can thank them for prompting me to take on this challenge. The help of our librarian Barbara Cooper in obtaining resources has been invaluable, even tracking down things when there was no copy in the country. My fellow PhD students have made the journey more pleasurable by virtue of having companionship along the way, particularly Philip Lock, who has shared an office, along with joys and frustrations, over the last few years. Thanks are also due to Glenn Clarke for making sure we had a space to work in, even as it migrated around the building. Many others have contributed to the process, through questions, comments, suggestions and encouragement, in person, online, at conferences, and through the confirmation process. This thesis has come to life in both a local community and a wider network. I was told early on that a PhD is as much a test of endurance as of intelligence, and that endurance has only been possible through the support of my family. My parents, Arnold and Gill, with their emotional and material support. My children, Joshua and Hannah, who may not have made the writing any easier, but whose smiles and complete disinterest in my thesis have kept me anchored to the outside world. Megan, for looking after the kids so often, and helping my wife manage while I was working. Most especially, to my wife Stephanie, for love and support in too many ways to describe, without which this thesis would never have been. 4 Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 4 List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 1 ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 11 1.2 Literature Review ............................................................................................... 13 1.2.1 Response to Jesus as Belief ......................................................................... 14 1.2.2 Belief as a Binary Option ............................................................................ 16 1.2.3 Belief and Sense Perception ........................................................................ 16 1.2.4 Response to Jesus as Belief Plus Other Elements ....................................... 17 1.2.5 Response to Jesus as Relational................................................................... 18 1.2.6 Response to Jesus as Ethical ........................................................................ 19 1.2.7 Response to Jesus as Discipleship ............................................................... 19 1.2.8 Response to Jesus as Worship ..................................................................... 20 1.2.9 Integrative Approaches ................................................................................ 21 1.2.10 Response to Jesus in the Gospel of John: Graeco-Roman Context ........... 22 1.3 Method ............................................................................................................... 23 1.3.1 Approaching the Gospel of John ................................................................. 25 1.3.2 Graeco-Roman Devotion ............................................................................. 34 1.3.3 Comparative Analysis.................................................................................. 37 2 Genuine Belief: Reading John 1-4 ............................................................................ 38 2.1 The Prologue: An Initial Standard of Belief (1:1–18) .................................... 38 2.2 The First Disciples Know and Follow Jesus (1:19–51) .................................. 42 2.3 The Disciples Develop in Their Faith (2:1–25) .............................................. 46 2.4 Faith that Falls Short and the Need to Obey (3:1–36) .................................... 48 2.5 The Samaritans: A Representation of Developing Faith (4:1–54) ................. 51 2.6 Summary of Believing in John 1–4 ................................................................ 56 3 Genuine Belief: Reading John 5–12 ......................................................................... 59 3.1 Belief in the Father, the Son, and the Scriptures (5:1–47) ............................. 59 3.2 The Hungry Crowd: Understanding Sustains Discipleship (6:1–71) ............. 61 3.3 Knowing, Believing and Speaking Out (7:1–52) ........................................... 64 3.4 Believing but Not Yet True Disciples (8:12–59) ............................................ 66 5 3.5 Blindness or Belief (9:1–41) ........................................................................... 70 3.6 Believing: Knowing and Being Known (10:1–42) ......................................... 71 3.7 Imperfect but Acceptable Belief (11:1–12:11) ............................................... 73 3.8 The Attitude of Belief: Unhidden (12:12–50) ................................................ 77 3.9 Summary of Believing in John 5–12 .............................................................. 79 4 Genuine Belief: Reading John 13–17 ....................................................................... 83 4.1 Love and Service (13:1–38) ........................................................................... 83 4.2 Know that the Father is in Me, and Keep My Commands (14:1–31) ............ 86 4.3 Believe and Abide (15:1-27) .........................................................................