A Study of Sources of the Theology of Fourth Gospel

Saleh, Sayyed Mohammad Hasan

doi:10.22034/qb.2025.2051987.1031

A Study of Sources of the Theology of Fourth Gospel

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sayyed Mohammad Hasan Saleh

Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology, Alzahra University, Tehran, IRAN.

10.22034/qb.2025.2051987.1031

Abstract

Among the four Gospels, the Gospel of John has a unique theology that distinguishes it from the rest of the Gospels. In this Gospel, unlike the synoptic Gospels, the divinity of Christ as the divine Logos is emphasized. Various opinions have been expressed about the source and main origin of the theology of the Gospel of John. Some consider it to be influenced by extra-religious schools such as Greek philosophy, and some consider it to be derived from reliable Hebrew sources, especially the Old Testament. This article, by reviewing different opinions and using historical and theological evidence, has determined the source of this theology as much as possible. The results obtained show that the theology of the Fourth Gospel is influenced by the foundations of Middle Platonic philosophy and Gnostic teachings. Of course, the degree of this influence is not the same, and this Gospel is most influenced by the mystical and Gnostic schools.

Keywords

Gnostic

Gospel

John

Logos

Philo

Plato

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