John 3 Logic/StructureJohn 3 Logic/Structure

The New Birth: The New Birth: Nature and Necessity Nature and Necessity

(Dialogue)(Dialogue)

3:13:1 1515

The Sending of The Sending of the Son: the Son:

Purpose and Purpose and PotentialPotential

(Monologue)(Monologue)3:163:16 2121

SS EE TT TT II NN GG

3:1-2a3:1-2a

CONVERSATIONCONVERSATIONAssertion-Nicodemus (v.2)Assertion-Nicodemus (v.2)Response-Jesus (v.3) Response-Jesus (v.3) Question-Nicodemus (v.4)Question-Nicodemus (v.4)Answer-Jesus (v.5-8)Answer-Jesus (v.5-8)Question-Nicodemus (v.9)Question-Nicodemus (v.9)Answer-Jesus (vv.18-15)Answer-Jesus (vv.18-15)

Recurring Recurring Q & AQ & A

3:2b3:2b 1515

The Affirmation The Affirmation (3:16)(3:16)The Exposition The Exposition (3:17-21)(3:17-21) 1. Divine Intention-(3:17) 1. Divine Intention-(3:17)

not condemn vs. not condemn vs. save save

2. Human Realities- 2. Human Realities- (3:18-21)(3:18-21) Contrasting potential Contrasting potential Judgment vs. Salvation Judgment vs. Salvation

Logic/Structure #1Logic/Structure #1

RECURRENCE OF Question/AnswerRECURRENCE OF Question/Answer

Text-Driven Questions:Text-Driven Questions:1. What is the meaning of the progression of 1. What is the meaning of the progression of

this dialogue? How does an understanding of this dialogue? How does an understanding of the movement (with its causal and the movement (with its causal and interrogative elements) illumine the meaning interrogative elements) illumine the meaning of this dialogue?of this dialogue?

2. Why did the dialogue progress in precisely 2. Why did the dialogue progress in precisely this way? Why did John emphasize this this way? Why did John emphasize this movement, with its interrogative elements?movement, with its interrogative elements?

3. Implications?3. Implications?

Structure #2 - RECUR OF CONTRASTStructure #2 - RECUR OF CONTRAST1. 1. Contrast of PersonsContrast of Persons

(3:1-15, passim)(3:1-15, passim)2. 2. Contrast of IdeasContrast of Ideas

a. Spiritual Birtha. Spiritual Birth Earthly Birth Earthly Birth (3: 5-8)(3: 5-8) (3:4-6) (3:4-6)

b. Heavenly Thingsb. Heavenly Things Earthly Things Earthly Things (3:12-13)(3:12-13)

c. Beliefc. Belief Unbelief Unbelief (3:12-18)(3:12-18)

d. Lightd. Light DarknessDarkness (3:19-21)(3:19-21)

e. Salvation/Eternal Lifee. Salvation/Eternal Life Condemnation/Condemnation/(3:16-21) (3:16-21) DestructionDestruction

JesusJesusvs.vs.

NicodemusNicodemus

Text-Driven QuestionsText-Driven Questions::1. What are the major differences in each case, and what is 1. What are the major differences in each case, and what is

the meaning of each of these major differences? How do the meaning of each of these major differences? How do these sets of contrast relate to, and illumine, one another? these sets of contrast relate to, and illumine, one another? How, specifically and precisely, do spiritual birth, heavenly How, specifically and precisely, do spiritual birth, heavenly things, belief and light lead to salvation/eternal life? How things, belief and light lead to salvation/eternal life? How do earthly birth (only), and earthly things, unbelief, and do earthly birth (only), and earthly things, unbelief, and darkness lead to condemnation/destruction?darkness lead to condemnation/destruction?

2. Why did John wish to emphasize these these differences? 2. Why did John wish to emphasize these these differences? Why did he wish to emphasize these causal connections? Why did he wish to emphasize these causal connections? Why,acc. to John’s story, do spiritual birth, etc. lead to Why,acc. to John’s story, do spiritual birth, etc. lead to salvation, and earthly things, etc. lead to condemnation?salvation, and earthly things, etc. lead to condemnation?

3. Implications?3. Implications?

Structure #3 - Cause and EffectStructure #3 - Cause and EffectThe Nature andThe Nature and The Purpose and The Purpose and necessity of thenecessity of the potential of the New potential of the New BirthBirth ((EffectEffect)) Sending of the Son (3:1-15)Sending of the Son (3:1-15)

(3:16-21) (3:16-21) ((EndEnd)) SUBSTANTIATIONSUBSTANTIATION

INSTRUMENTATION *INSTRUMENTATION *ReasonsReasons why why the new birth is of this the new birth is of this character, and character, and

why it is why it is necessary necessary ((CauseCause) ) *The means by which the *The means by which the new birth is new birth is

experienced: experienced: Belief in the Son who Belief in the Son who has has been sent been sent ((MeansMeans) )

Text-Driven QuestionsText-Driven Questions1) How, precisely and specifically, does 3:16-21 provide 1) How, precisely and specifically, does 3:16-21 provide

the reasons or the basis for the discussion of the new the reasons or the basis for the discussion of the new birth in 3:1-15? How does this substantiation illumine birth in 3:1-15? How does this substantiation illumine the new birth? What is the meaning of belief in the Son the new birth? What is the meaning of belief in the Son in 3:16-21, and how does such belief lead to the in 3:16-21, and how does such belief lead to the experience of new birth and illumine the new birth?experience of new birth and illumine the new birth?

2) Why did John choose to support the claims and 2) Why did John choose to support the claims and demands of the new birth by this description of the demands of the new birth by this description of the sending of the Son? Why, acc. to John’s story, is being a sending of the Son? Why, acc. to John’s story, is being a necessary means to the new birth? Why did John necessary means to the new birth? Why did John emphasize this means?emphasize this means?

3) Implications?3) Implications?