Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 19:4 (Fall 1976)
Article: Soteriology In The Gospel Of John
Author: George Allen Turner

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JETS 19:4 (Fall 1976) p. 271

Soteriology In The Gospel Of John

George Allen Turner*

There is surprisingly little written on the Johannine doctrine of salvation. Probably this is due to the fact that the idea permeates the entire Gospel of John and is expressed in analogies rather than in theological language. There are many factors that make the study of the doctrine of salvation in the Fourth Gospel of exceptional interest and challenge. All agree that the theme of salvation is expressed in analogies—light, life, knowledge, bread, water, truth—rather than in forensic terms as in Paul. Among the problems that emerge in such a study are the questions of (1) why repentance is not urged as a condition of saving faith; (2) whether the incarnation is more important than the cross and resurrection; (3) whether man’s salvation is predetermined by the Father; (4) whether the doctrine of salvation in the hypothetical “signs document” (John 2–12) is different from the rest of the Gospel; and (5) what reason is given for the necessity of the Shepherd’s dying for the sheep—that is, does this Gospel teach a vicarious atonement?

I. Recent Studies On The Subject

R. Bultmann argues that John’s Gospel, unlike 1 John, focuses belief on the incarnation, not (as with Paul) on the resurrection (Theology of the New Testament). W. G. Kümmel (The Theology of the New Testament) points out that in John the theme of the “removal of guilt by Jesus’ death does not play a central role,” and that the death can be pushed into the background without endangering the concept of Jesus’ coming to save men from sin. Robert Fortna sets forth the hypothesis that the Evangelist used a “signs source” (John 2–12): Salvation comes to those who simply believe that Jesus is the Messiah, while for the Evangelist (1, 13–21) salvation involves, in addition, a personal commitment to Jesus as Lord.1 George Ladd finds that fbr John salvation consists in eternal life that comes by knowing God and accepting the Truth.2 More than seventy years ago, G. B. Stevens taught that in John Jesus’ death is not necessarily vicarious but simply the ultimate expression of love for sinners.3

*George A. Turner is professor of Biblical literature at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky.

JETS 19:4 (Fall 1976) p. 272

II. Procedure

1. Belief

First to command attention is the motif of belief in John and the absence of mention o...

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