Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Religion, MA

First Advisor

Laurențiu F. Moț

Second Advisor

Zoltán Szallós-Farkas

Third Advisor

Cedric Vine

Abstract

Problem

The term ἀλήθεια, 'truth' is a frequently used term in the Gospel of John. The fundamental question of this paper is to discuss how truth is understood by John and if the Gospel of John conveys a specific concept of truth?

Method

The first part will briefly consider common philosophical concepts of truth, as well as epistemological issues connected to them. These approaches will be compared with John's truth concept. In the second part the most important passages where ἀλήθεια is used will be carefully analyzed exegetically, in order to understand the concept of ἀλήθεια in Johannine thought. The third part will deal with implications from the previous discussion that are essential to Christianity in general.

Results

Ἀλήθεια was revealed to John, which is why he testified to it, in order to encourage others to believe. Truth is the basis on which the Trinity is founded and from where it operates from.

Conclusions

John sees ἀλήθεια as an absolute concept, incompatible with relativism or pluralism. It is deeply Christocentric (John 14:6), but also Trinitarian. This means that it is intellectual and factual, but at the same time deeply personal, relational and active.

Subject Area

Aletheia (The Greek word); Truth--Religious aspects--Christianity; Bible. John--Criticism, interpretation, etc

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/theses/180/

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