Bible study course
A comprehensive academic and pastoral study of the First Epistle of John, exploring its apostolic provenance from Ephesus, its response to proto-gnostic docetic secessionists who denied the physical incarnation of Jesus Christ, its profound declaration of God as light and love, its three diagnostic tests of eternal life (theological orthodoxy, ethical obedience, and sacrificial brotherly love), its theology of the atoning sacrifice (hilasmos) and heavenly Advocate, and its pastoral purpose of imparting unshakeable assurance to the children of God.
An orienting academic introduction to 1 John, examining its apostolic authorship by John from Ephesus, the historical crisis of early proto-gnostic docetic secessionists, the literary genre of an apostolic pastoral homily, and the overarching framework of the three moral, social, and doctrinal tests of life.
An advanced theological exposition of 1 John 1, exploring the physical sensory reality of the Word of Life, the nature of eternal life manifested in Jesus Christ, intimate fellowship with the Father and the Son, the declaration that God is light, the diagnostic tests of walking in darkness versus walking in the light, and the cleansing blood of Jesus.
An advanced theological exposition of 1 John 2, examining Christ ministry as our righteous Advocate and propitiation, the moral proof of knowing God through obedience, the old and new commandment of mutual love, the pastoral poem to children, fathers, and young men, the warning against loving the world, the appearance of antichrists, and the protective anointing of the Holy Spirit.
An advanced theological exposition of 1 John 3, analyzing the staggering love of the Father in adopting believers, the purifying hope of Christ return, the incompatibility of sin with being born of God, the antithesis between the children of God and the children of the devil, the murderous jealousy of Cain versus the self-giving sacrifice of Christ, and the grounds of heart confidence before God.
An advanced theological exposition of 1 John 4, exploring the apostolic mandate to test spiritual claims, the central christological confession of Jesus Christ come in the flesh, overcoming the spirit of the world through the indwelling Christ, the supreme ontological revelation that God is love, the sending of the Son as propitiation, and how mature love expels the fear of judgment.
An advanced theological exposition of 1 John 5, examining faith that overcomes the world, God non-burdensome commandments, the three witnesses that testify to Christ (the Spirit, the water, and the blood), the purpose of the epistle in providing absolute assurance of eternal life, confident intercession, the sin leading to death, and the final warning against idols.