Mysterious, enchanting, glorious: John's Gospel is perhaps the
most popular - and the least understood.
Writing particularly for the searching layperson who wants to explore
what the hood news is all about, Phillip McFadyen urges the reader
to 'come and see'... to push open the door to life in all its fullness,
and catch a glimpse of heaven beyond.
Extract (Introduction)
The Gospel of John has a fascination for many people. What was
the writer's intention, why is his material so different? The writers
of the first three Gospels can be compared to painters in a life
class. They view the model differently. Each has his own style,
his own composition and his own particular emphasis. Mark is in
a hurry to capture the main points. His short vivid brushstrokes
evoke an immediate response and encourage the viewer to get involved
with the subject. Matthew at first appears to be a derivative painter.
He has a respect for the old masters even though his style is one
of confrontation.
There is a dreamlike quality to his work, especially in the opening
chapters, which makes connections with other schools of painting;
the work is so well organized that it is easy to access. Luke's
painting has a patrician air, but it is also full of social comment.
His work is also derivative and dependent on other sources, but
there is a narrative quality in the portrait that immediately engages
those who are looking for a more universal theme. If john were also
to be admitted to this class we might be surprised to find that
he spent a long time in contemplating the subject without actually
touching his canvas. He is more likely to make a few preliminary
studies in his sketch book and complete the painting many years
later.
