The use of the books of genesis and exodus in the fourth gospel

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to examine the way in which the author of the Fourth Gospel uses the books of Genesis and Exodus. After a general introduction to the way in which he uses the OT generally, Genesis is examined, and it is suggested that Jesus is seen as working a new creation and as undoing the effects of the Fall. An examination of the use made by the Evangelist of the characters of the Patriarchs follows, and a brief summary concludes the first part of the thesis. The second part deals with Exodus, and the idea that the Evangelist bases the structure of his Gospel on that of Exodus is discussed. The relationship between Jesus and Moses is examined, and then a survey is made of the way in which pieces of one-off typology are used to portray Christ. The somewhat ambivalent relationship between Jesus and Moses is explored further in an examination of the Evangelist's use of the concepts of "Wisdom" and "the Law". Such themes as "revelation", "seeing", "knowing", and "believing", which are important to both Exodus and the Fourth Gospel are discussed. Again there is a short summary, including, as previously, some attempt to explain the reasons for those parts of the books of which John appears to make no use. In a concluding chapter the point is made that the Evangelist seems to use the OT most often to portray the character and work of Jesus. His Christology appears to be based on many characters and incidents from the OT, and a brief examination is made of his Christological technique, including some suggestions for possible areas of further study.