0
Did the author of the Gospel of John invent the Doubting Thomas story to rebuke the followers of Thomas?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
No. Had the doubting Thomas incident been falsified for that purpose, the writer would not have included the information that Thomas, following his initial doubt, knew it was Jesus with absolute belief.
John 20:28 And Thomas ed and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
Thus - no, there is no reason to accept that the author of John meant anything other than simply retelling an event to which he was a witness.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
There is no evidence to suggest that the author of the Gospel of John invented the Doubting Thomas story to rebuke the followers of Thomas. The story serves more as a lesson of faith and belief, emphasizing the importance of coming to believe without seeing.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoYes. the respected biblical scholar, Elaine Pagels see a principal objective of John's Gospel being to refute the beliefs of the Thomas Christians. Only John presents a challenging and critical portrait of the disciple he calls "Thomas, the one called Didymus", and he does so throughout the Gospel.
For example, the synoptic Gospels had Jesus appear to all the remaining disciples and show his wounds. John had Thomas absent at this time and, with only 10 disciples, breathed on them and gave them the Holy Ghost. Thomas very obviously missed out on the Holy Spirit (although a different author, in Acts of the Apostles, had the Spirit descend on all the apostles, thus including Thomas). Jesus appeared again in the same room to the disciples, with Thomas present, and Thomas declared his doubt, for which Jesus rebuked him. Interestingly, these two appearances of the risen Jesus closely resemble the single account in the Gospel of Luke, on which John's account may have been based, except for the twin themes of Thomas missing out on the Holy Spirit and then expressing doubt.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are facts about Saint Thomas the Apostle?
Saint Thomas the Apostle, also known as Doubting Thomas, was one of Jesus's twelve apostles. He was known for his questioning nature and his initial skepticism about Jesus's resurrection. He is said to have spread Christianity to India and is believed to have been martyred there.
Why does John not mention himself by name in the Gospel of John?
It is believed that the author of the Gospel of John chose not to mention himself by name to emphasize the focus on Jesus and his teachings rather than on the author himself. This decision could also be to create an air of humility and anonymity surrounding the writer.
Who After Paul wrote the next largest portion of the New Testament?
The authors who wrote the next largest portions of the New Testament after Paul were Luke and the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, while the author of Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew.
Where did John write John's Gospel?
John 20:30-31 30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.John wrote to give a theological presentation of whom Christ was and why He came. His purpose was evangelistic in nature. Christ's role as Lord and Messiah is emphasised, and encapsulated in the seven great "I Am" statements. John also wanted to teach the role of the Trinity in salvation. Answer John states his reason for writing his gospel: John 20:30, 31 - And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. [NKJV]Another AnswerSome say that the apostle John wrote the Gospel to correct serious errors in the other New Testament gospels.However, it would be surprising that John waited so long to correct the record. Moreover, the early Church Father, Origen, did not believe that John's Gospel was a more true record, saying (Commentary on John), "although he does not always tell the truth literally, he always tells it spiritually."Further, some scholars say that John's Gospel drew from Luke's Gospel, meaning that it could not have been written by an eyewitness to the events it describes. John's Gospel was originally anonymous, and John was first mentioned in the known record as the author, late in the second century. Others say that John's Gospel was written in response to a debate about who Jesus was.
Who wrote the Gospel of John and the three epistles of John were written by?
The Gospel of John is traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, one of Jesus' disciples. The three epistles of John are also traditionally believed to have been written by the same author, although the identity of the author is not explicitly mentioned within the texts themselves.
What has the author Russell P Davies written?
Russell P. Davies has written: 'The doubting Thomas today'
What has the author Thomas Wearing written?
Thomas Wearing has written: 'The world-view of the fourth Gospel' -- subject(s): Bible, Criticism, interpretation
What has the author Margaretha Lelyveld written?
Margaretha Lelyveld has written: 'Les logia de la vie dans l'Evangile selon Thomas' -- subject(s): Gospel of Thomas (Coptic Gospel), Redaction Criticism
What has the author Aurelio de Santos Otero written?
Aurelio de Santos Otero has written: 'Das kirchenslavische Evangelium des Thomas' -- subject(s): Criticism, interpretation, Gospel of Thomas (Infancy Gospel)
What are the reflections on John chapter 20 verses 19 to 23?
The bodily appearance of Christ when the disciples were hiding together for fear of the Jewish authorities is significant because in the account He demonstrated to them that He had arisen bodily. and that it was the same body that had been crucified, died, and entombed. Because it was such an amazing event outside of normality that Thomas who was absent, remained unbelieving - just as the other disciples had been previously - until he too saw Christ and touched his wounds just over a week later.
What are facts about Saint Thomas the Apostle?
Saint Thomas the Apostle, also known as Doubting Thomas, was one of Jesus's twelve apostles. He was known for his questioning nature and his initial skepticism about Jesus's resurrection. He is said to have spread Christianity to India and is believed to have been martyred there.
What has the author Stephen J Patterson written?
Stephen J. Patterson has written: 'Beyond the Passion' 'The fifth gospel' -- subject(s): Criticism, interpretation, Nag Hammadi codices, Gospel of Thomas (Coptic Gospel)
What has the author Thomas Menamparampil written?
Thomas Menamparampil has written: 'Cultures in the context of sharing the gospel' -- subject(s): Christianity and culture, Cultural awareness, Evangelistic work
What has the author Thomas L Mellen written?
Thomas L. Mellen has written: 'Woman's place under the gospel' -- subject(s): Women and religion, Women in Christianity
What has the author Jacobus van Amersfoort written?
Jacobus van Amersfoort has written: 'Het Evangelie van Thomas en de Pseudo-Clementinen' -- subject(s): Criticism, interpretation, Gospel of Thomas (Coptic Gospel), Homilies (Pseudo-Clementine), Recognitions (Pseudo-Clementine)
What has the author Risto Uro written?
Risto Uro has written: 'Thomas' -- subject(s): Bible, Criticism, interpretation, Gospel of Thomas (Coptic Gospel) 'Sheep among the wolves' -- subject(s): Bible, Criticism, interpretation, Q hypothesis (Synoptics criticism), Sending of the twelve
What has the author Jean-Marie Paupert written?
Jean-Marie Paupert has written: 'The politics of the Gospel' -- subject(s): Christianity and politics 'Thomas'
