Abbreviations

Lists of Figures and Excursuses

Preface

Introduction

CHAPTER 1 THE SUBJECT IN RECENT SCHOLARSHIP

I. The Period from 1964 to 1974

II. The Period from 1975 to 1984

III. The Period from 1985 to 1994

IV. Summary

CHAPTER 2 FOUNDATIONS

I. Linguistic Foundations

A. Rationale for a Semantic Field Approach

1. The Role of Terminology

2. Words and Context

3. Words and Concepts

4. Definition of Concept

5. Lexical and Discourse Concept

6. A Recent Study Supporting the Approach Taken Here

7. The Advantages of a Semantic Field Approach: Conclusion

B. Implementation of the Chosen Methodology

1. Semantic Field Study of Mission in the Fourth Gospel

2. Identification of Semantic Clusters

II. Definitional Foundations

A. Lessons from the Relevant Literature

B. Working Definition of Mission in the Fourth Gospel

III. Literary Foundations

CHAPTER 3 THE MISSION OF JESUS ACCORDING TO THE FOURTH GOSPEL

I. The Person of Jesus

A. The Divinity and Uniqueness of Jesus

1. Claims of Jesus' Pre-existence

2. Acknowledgment and Worship of Jesus as Lord (and God)

3. Jesus' Appropriation of the Divine Name and Other Explicit and Implicit Claims of Divinity

4. Jesus' Uniqueness and Unique Sonship

5. Jesus' Messiahship

6. Strategic Placement of References to Jesus' Divinity

B. The Humanity of Jesus

1. Various Human Attributes

2. Human Designations

3. The Title "Son of Man"

C. Implications for the Study of John's Teaching on Mission

II. The Task of Jesus

A. Compositional Flow

B. Signs and Works

1. Signs

a. The Number and Identity of the Johannine Signs

b. The Six Explicitly Identified Signs in the Fourth Gospel

c. "Signs" in the Old Testament

d. "Signs" in John's Gospel

e. The Suggestions for Additional Signs in John's Gospel

Excursus #1: Implications from the Identification of the Temple Cleansing as a Johannine Sign for the Structure of the Fourth Gospel

f. Conclusion

2. Works

3. Conclusion

C. The Nature of Jesus' Work according to the Fourth Gospel

1. Compositional Flow

2. Revelation and/or Salvation?

3. Conclusion

III. The Charge of Jesus

A. Modes of Movement in Jesus' Mission

1. Survey of Passages Featuring Terms Denoting Modes of Movement

2. Modes of Movement in Jesus' Mission in the Relevant Literature

3. Modes of Movement and Characterizations of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel

4. Modes of Movement and Signs and Works Terminology

5. Modes of Movement and the Purposes of Jesus' Mission

6. Modes of Movement in Jesus' Mission and the Fourth Evangelist

B. The Fourth Gospel's Presentation of Jesus' Mission: Jesus the Messiah

1. The Coming One: Passages Indicating Messianic Expectations in the Fourth Gospel

2. Jesus as the Sent Son

a. Introduction

Excursus #2: The Two Johannine Words for Sending

b. The Contribution of John's Sending Christology to the Johannine Concept of Mission: A Survey of Theme Clusters Related to Sending in the Fourth Gospel

Excursus #3: Other Mission Terminology Related to Sending in the Fourth Gospel

c. The Fourth Gospel's Portrayal of Jesus as the "Sent Son": in Interaction with Relevant Literature

3. Jesus as the One Who Comes into the World and Returns to the Father (Descent-Ascent)

a. Coming (into the World) and Returning to the Father

b. Descent and Ascent

4. Jesus the Eschatological Shepherd-Teacher Calling Followers to Gather "Fruit"

a. Following

b. Gathering

c. Calling Followers to Gather (Fruit)

IV. Conclusion

CHAPTER 4 THE MISSION OF THE DISCIPLESR ACCORDING TO THE FOURTH GOSPEL

I. The Group of the Disciples

A. Introduction

B. The Fourth Gospel's Characterization of Jesus' Followers

1. The Term MXXX Designating the Historical Followers of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel

2. "The Twelve" in the Fourth Gospel

3. The Widening of the Term MXXX in the Fourth Gospel

4. Johannine Characterization of Individual Disciples

a. Introduction

b. Peter and the Beloved Disciple

C. Corporate Metaphors in the Fourth Gospel

D. Concluding Reflections

II. The Task of the Disciples

A. No "Signs" by the Disciples

B. The "Greater Works" of the Believer (14:12)

C. Other References to the Disciples' Task

III. The Charge of the Disciples

a. Coming (to Jesus)

B. Following

C. Being Sent

1. Entering into Jesus' Labor: Sent to Harvest (4:38)

2. Commissioned to Go and Bear Fruit (15:16)

3. Sent (into the World) as Jesus Was Sent (into the World) (17:18; 20:21)

a. Sent into the World as Jesus Was Sent into the World (17:18)

b. Foundations for the Disciples' Mission: Love and Unity

c. Sent as Jesus Was Sent (20:21)

4. General Observations on the Sending Theme and the Missions of Jesus and of the Disciples

IV. Conclusion

CHAPTER 5 IMPLICATIONS

I. The Definition of Mission Revisited

II. Implications for the Purpose of the Fourth Gospel

A. Missionary (Missionsschrift)

B. Edificatory (Gemeindeschrift)

C. Sectarian

D. Implications from the Present Study

III. Implications for the Mission of the Contemporary Church

A. Implications from the Present Study

B. Critique of the "Incarnational Model"

C. A Critique of Other Approaches

IV. Conclusion

Bibliography

Indexes

Subjects

Names

Scripture References

Greek Words