Many have wondered about the influence of the Gospels: Did Paul impact the shape of Mark? Was Matthew hostile to Paul? Was Luke really a companion of Paul? But the Paul - John relationship is never really studied. William Wrede had this to say about the influence of Paul on John:
“When the Johannine Christ recounts how he was with the Father before he became flesh, it is Paul himself who is speaking to us; and when in this gospel John the Baptist extols Jesus as the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, the voice again is that of Paul ... The Pauline Son of God could now be shown in the flesh. In fact, the Pauline doctrine of Christ was, in John, poured int the mould of an image of the earthly life, and in this way won a new charm and new power over our hearts.”
4 comments:
forget Paul and John - whatabout George and Ringo?
(Jensen: does that make Luke Yoko Ono?)
I've always been struck by the way in which these two authors--seemingly so different--seem to be the most concerned about Union with Christ.
Either that or the Baptist said it because he ACTUALLY DID SAY IT!
I can't shake the thesis that Lazarus may have written the major portions of GJohn, which would make Pauline influence chronologically impossible . . .
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