Sophia and the Johannine Jesus
This thesis examines the relationship between the Jewish figure of Sophia and the Johannine Jesus, Recognising the problem of identifying the female Sophia with the male Jesus, we ask how the Fourth Evangelist has tackled it and what effect, if any, the solution may have had on the portrayal of women within the Gospel. Following an introductory chapter outlining the scope of the thesis, Chapter Two examines the context from which John has drawn on Sophia. Bearing in mind always the monotheistic character of Judaism, we discover the way in which traits of ANE Goddesses have influenced the development of Sophia as a figure within Jewish thought. We find that by the time of the writing of John's Gospel, on the one hand there was a highly developed picture of Sophia as a feminine expression of God active in Israel's history, while on the other hand there were efforts to repress her gender significance. Chapter Three examines the relationship between this female figure and John's picture of Jesus. The Logos of the Prologue, found to be influenced at almost every turn by Sophia speculation, proves to be a useful cover employed by the Fourth Evangelist to effect the switch of gender from Sophia to Jesus. Further
Scott, James Martin Clark
Gospel of St. John/Judaism
Sophia and the Johannine Jesus. This thesis examines the relationship between the Jewish figure of Sophia and the Johannine Jesus, Recognising the problem of identifying the female Sophia with the male Jesus, we ask how the Fourth Evangelist has tackled it and what effect, if any, the solution may have had on the portrayal of women within the Gospel. Following an introductory chapter outlining the scope of the thesis, Chapter Two examines the context from which John has drawn on Sophia. Bearing in mind always the monotheistic character of Judaism, we discover the way in which traits of ANE Goddesses have influenced the development of Sophia as a figure within Jewish thought. We find that by the time of the writing of John's Gospel, on the one hand there was a highly developed picture of Sophia as a feminine expression of God active in Israel's history, while on the other hand there were efforts to repress her gender significance. Chapter Three examines the relationship between this female figure and John's picture of Jesus. The Logos of the Prologue, found to be influenced at almost every turn by Sophia speculation, proves to be a useful cover employed by the Fourth Evangelist to effect the switch of gender from Sophia to Jesus. Further
johannine jesus examine_relationship jewish figure johannine jesus recognising problem identify female male jesus ask fourth evangelist tackle effect solution may portrayal woman within gospel following_introductory outline scope two_examines context john drawn bearing mind always monotheistic character judaism discover way trait influence_development figure within jewish thought time write john_gospel one_hand highly developed picture feminine expression god active israel history hand effort gender significance three_examines relationship female figure john picture jesus logos prologue find influence almost_every turn speculation prove_useful cover employ fourth evangelist effect switch gender jesus