We have again been working through the Gospel of John with specific focus on the Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Before moving on to more signs of Jesus as the Messiah, I thought it appropriate to take a brief look at the Gospel’s author John.
About the Author John
In a larger sense the Author of Scripture is always the Lord God and specifically the Gospel author John refers to Jesus as, “the Word,” in effect crediting the Lord Jesus for Scripture.
The Good News of the author John and three other Gospel writers is that Jesus IS the Messiah of God, fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to redeem Israel.
John’s Gospel differs some from those of the Apostle Matthew, another Jewish author, and that of two gentile author’s, John Mark and Luke. (God-willing I may share more about these Gospel authors at a later time in separate posts.)
a First century story
I would like to relate a story to you which involves the author John, who wrote not only the Gospel, but three letters and the Revelation (or Apocalypse) of the New Testament. But first let’s consider the genre of my story to follow.
Fiction or Nonfiction?
Although we step away from the Bible and specifically the Gospel for a moment, I have crafted the following “biography” to make you think.
You might ask of any story, a classic novel, Scripture or a television script: ‘Is it true?’ That is, does this story I’m reading, hearing or seeing represent reliable truth? Is it nonfiction or is it (at least in part) fiction?
“Fiction or nonfiction,” we may ask thoughtfully?
If Scripture is true, then our only conclusion must be that the Bible is ‘nonfiction;’ therefore our compelling question must address God’s will, “How should I apply these truths?”
Roger Harned – talkofJesus.com
I caution however of entertainment which claims ‘authoritative’ speculation that misleads the masses into false and dangerous applications. Just one example would be “The History Channel.”
We naturally assume anything claiming history or science to be a reliable true source of researched fact. Yet what about a fantastical speculation proclaiming possibility of “Ancient Aliens,” which invades our thinking as pure fiction with no basis in fact?
Many writers of supposed ‘scientific fact’ place such nonsensical fiction in the same speculative category as they do the Bible. Their heretical premise implies that God does not exist anymore than ancient aliens do (therefore both are fiction). These authors create gods of their own making, denying the glory of the Living God.
Of course not all fiction denies the truth and historicity of Christ. Thankfully some fiction pursues a higher calling to give us insight into the historical men and women of the Bible, or even the true nature of faith following the Lord Jesus as a true Christian. Perhaps one of the best of these would be John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Historical Fiction
If a story, i.e. nonfiction, doesn’t qualify as fact, then what kind of fiction is it?
Some stories illustrate imagined or actual characteristics of historical characters who actually existed. One example might be the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. (Certainly you can think of others.)
I would caution that many such stories have hidden agendas often opposed to the Lord God. So a story may pose as historical fiction when in fact it is not historical in any way (other than taking the name of its lead character in vain).
Some so-called ‘christian’ cults would have you believe that Jesus was nothing more than a character in the historical fiction of the New Testament of the Bible. It’s also important here to point out that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT a “historical fiction,” acknowledging that Jesus was real and did exist in the first century, while denying Christ’s deity.
No deception of the devil will lead your soul astray more than this lie against the saving Son of the Most High! Many will concede and even preach the existence of Jesus, without worshiping Him as Lord.
A Father of Thunder
The following story hopefully will illustrate a helpful perspective as historical fiction from the first century A.D.
Although based on the characters discussed, including the author John, this fictional account is not intended to provide evidence for John’s Gospel, but to provide circumstance into its writing by the author John.
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life:
but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons…
Deuteronomy 4:8-9 KJV
Introduction
Men call me Bonerges for my thunderous commands they hear ‘mongst my fleet on the Galilee.
I thank the LORD for my blessings and that of my boisterous leadership, but mostly I call out for the supply of my business. Though faithful to the LORD in every area of my life as a Jew, I am no hammer upon the anvil of Israel’s hard-forged apostasy.
Now that my double blessing of sons join my fleet as young men of God, I must teach them not only of fishing but of the leading of men.
The LORD made me a man of modest means, so now I may send them to any man of God of my choosing to learn more of the LORD’s will for their lives. It’s not so simple though; for our life as Jews in the land which was once Israel had never been simple since Solomon.
Whether here in Bethsaida or on journeys to Jerusalem (also never the same again) all we seem to argue is how the LORD wants us to follow in a strange land which was once our own.
I should even say it was once HIS, but is no more. God help us.
Ahh, who would have thought that Israel could become a land which is not ours or the Lord’s?
(the second Law) דברים
We are sons of Moses; I have been praying on this Scripture.
Where shall I send my sons to learn the faith of our fathers?
“Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak;
And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
“For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַסְתִּ֤ירָה פָנַי֙ מֵהֶ֔ם אֶרְאֶ֖ה מָ֣ה אַחֲרִיתָ֑ם כִּ֣י דֹ֤ור תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙ הֵ֔מָּה בָּנִ֖ים לֹא־אֵמֻ֥ן בָּֽם׃
“Then He said, ‘I will hide My face from them,
from the song of Moses – Deuteronomy 32:(1,3,)20 WLC;NASB
I will see what their end shall be;
For they are a perverse generation,
Sons in whom is no faithfulness.
What is the will of the Lord God for my sons James and John?
To be continued...
