A comprehensive reading of John 9: a socio-rhetorial perspective of discipleship in the Gospel of John
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Chapter 9, interpreted in terms of its macro-micro structure, fits into the\noverall literary and theological framework of the Book of Signs. The controversy\nbetween Jesus and the Jewish leaders depicted in chapters 7-10 is taken up by\nChapter 9 in a particular manner.\nThis study employs the socio-rhetorical perspective to critically investigate\nthe notion of discipleship. It differs from previous studies as they were undertaken\nfrom the historical, socio-scientific and narrative perspectives, and Robbins' sociorhetorical\nmethodology is applied to the Chapter 9 in order to dissect the notion of\ndiscipleship as a theological problem. In Chapter 9, the blind man emerges as the\nparadigm of the disciple as he exemplifies the principle of John 8.12.\nThe `Jews', concerned with their need both for self-definition and the\nsurvival of Judaism, attempt to contain the growth of Christianity. The conflict is\nconceived as a `conflict between darkness and light' and the healed man emerges as\na hero of the community. His triumph over darkness contrasts him with the Pharisees\nwho misguidedly follow the way of darkness and reject God's self-revelation. To\nsummarize, by applying for the first time a multidimensional and comprehensive\napproach to John 9, three important characteristics of discipleship in the Fourth\nGospel emerge: (1) it is not just simple enthusiasm and zeal, but rather a firm\ncommitment, and strong and courageous determination to bear witness based upon\nan experience of the divine. Disciples are required to maintain their readiness for\nstruggles, even death, for the sake of their faith; (2) discipleship is conceived as\nredefining the believer's covenant relationship with God which takes place through\nJesus' identity and work. Therefore, the notion of `disciples of Moses' is no longer\ndefensible; (3) discipleship is nothing less than a `discipleship into light' since it\nimplies a duty to plead everywhere and always the cause of the Light in the sphere of\ndarkness and in the world dominated by many kinds of ideologies (religious, cultural,\npolitical, etc.). The disciple must be prepared to be marginalized, not only by the\ndominant society, but also by his/her own family and familiar world.
Author: Barhatulirhwa Vincent Muderhwa
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2123469548