The First Letter of John as a Theological Testimony about the Salvation History Accomplished in Jesus Christ Cover Image

Pierwszy List św. Jana jako świadectwo teologiczne o historii zbawienia realizującej się w Jezusie Chrystusie
The First Letter of John as a Theological Testimony about the Salvation History Accomplished in Jesus Christ

Author(s): Piotr Kot
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Biblical studies, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Wydział Teologii
Keywords: Testimony; First Letter of John; Prologue; Johannine Work

Summary/Abstract: Reading the First Epistle of John, one is led to inquire about the nature of the testimony that the author of the letter offers to the Christian community in crisis. Is this a testimony based on an inculcated doctrine or does it originate in the historical experience of the author? This is, in essence, a question regarding the authority of the teaching presented in the letter. The vocabulary employed in the letter, particularly in its prologue, permits us to define the testimony under consideration as a theological testimony. It does not consist of a faithful recalling of memories of past historical events only. Indeed, the author of 1 John does not refer directly to any words or deeds of an earthly Jesus. Rather, the testimony consists in treating the historical facts as a “source of the present time.” This testimony enjoys strong authority because it arises from two sources: from an account of the eye-witness of the paschal life of Jesus Christ and also from reflection upon the existential outcomes of this historical and salvific event in relation to the current needs of the community.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 28
  • Page Range: 297-317
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish