How to Read the New Testament, part 4

Daniel Lee
4 days ago
3 min read

We are now approaching the end of our read through the New Testament. By now we have read three of the Gospels, having experienced the miracles, the teachings, the betrayals, the crucifixion and resurrection mutlitple times. We have read all about the start and spread of the early church. We have wrestled through questions of theology, identity, and community. We have face hardships and persecutions and great victories. Now as the journey through the New Testament draws to a close, we are also entering the final decades of the First Century.

[TL;DR: John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation]

Volume 4: Love Wins

These final books and letters were written to Christians a generation or two removed from the first disciples and eye-witnesses. Each of these final writings is attributed to "John." Once again, there is debate about which John. It was a very common name, and there were mutliple Johns serving as leaders in the First Century churches. I'm opperating under the traditional view that the author was John the Apostle, the only one of the original 12 Diciples who died of old age rather than being martyred. This final volume of writings emphasizes the victory of Christ and God's love over the entire cosmos. In the end, even death itself is defeated and cast down.

The Gospel According to John

John's gospel account was most certainly the last to be written, and in all likelihood he did not rely on other sources. John largely includes stories of Jesus not found in the other three gospels. There is very little overlap. Even his timeline of events is different. But John isn't writing a detailed biography of Jesus. He is an elder Christ-follower writing to a whole new generation of believers (or would-be believers). He's telling the story his way, like a close friend or grandparent sitting down to tell you about their life over coffee.

John also is much more "cosmic" is scope than the other accounts. This isn't just Jesus of Nazareth, this is the eternal Word of God who existed with God from the beginning of time, who spoke creation into existence, who became flesh and moved into the neighborhood. He is King, yes, but not just for the Jews in Jerusalem. John emphasizes the universal kingship of Christ whose throne is a cross.

1 John

This first of the Johnannine Epistles almost reads as an epilogue to the Gospel of John. It uses much of the same wording and imagery to convey similar theological truths as the gospel. It's a letter of contrasts – love vs. hate, light vs. darkness, truth vs. lies, etc. This is old man John writing to the church he has loved about the power of his Lord whom he has served for decades.

2 John

This short letter encourages the Lord's people to be on guard against lies and deceptions while clinging to the truth of Christ's love.

3 John

This is a personal letter written to a close friend of John's, Gaius. It's both a warning and a recommendation letter. John warns about a divisive leader in the church, urging Gaius (and us!) to have nothing to do with such men. He sends a brief commendation of another man, probably the very person bringing the letter, and encourages his hospitality. It's a fascinating snapshot into a very specific church situation.

Revelation

This final book in the New Testament brings the entirity of Scripture to a strange, often confusing conclusion. This is apocalyptic literature, which has its roots in other Jewish writings like Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. At times it reads like a Greek play, with a lengthy list of heros and villains, angels and beasts, demons and dragons. Revelation is one of the most misunderstood, misused, and abused books in the Bible. Because it's often confusing and convoluted to a modern audience, men have made Revelation say whatever they want it to say or mean whatever they want it to mean throughout the centuries.

The long and short of it is this: God has a team. Satan has a team. God's team wins. Pick a team.

If you come away with nothing else from this fever-dream of a book, know this: God is victorious. For those who live in faith, a New Creation awaits. This New Creation is beyond anything we could imagine. And it's not because of anything we did to earn it; it's all because of the victorious Lamb who was slain.

May you live with hope, peace, courage, and above all love.

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