Document Type
Book
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Jan van der Watt has described ethics as rational and systematic reflection on actions that are deemed positive or negative. Basic questions involve the point of departure and the aim of ethical action. He rightly identifies God as the authoritative center for Johannine ethics and makes two observations that warrant further development. First, as the point of departure, “God is the living God (6:57), the God who is life and gives life,” and Jesus too “is and brings life.” Second, in “line with the task of Jesus, the aim of believers is to give, sustain, and promote life.” “Promoting life is the consistent point of focus for ethical behaviour in John.” These comments appear in van der Watt’s wide-ranging discussion of Johannine ethics, but here I give them central place. Although studies of Johannine ethics have often focused on Jesus’ command to love one another, I will argue that works of love and expressions of truth support the goal of life. From a Johannine perspective, the central ethical question is, “What will foster life?”
First Page
1
Last Page
17
Book TItle
The Ethics of John: Retrospect and Prospects
Book Editor(s)
Jan G. van der Watt and Matthijs den Dulk
Book Publisher
Brill
Place of Publication
Leiden; Boston
Recommended Citation
Koester, Craig R., "“The Centrality of ‘Life’ for Johannine Ethics”" (2025). Faculty Publications. 345.
https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/faculty_articles/345