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John 1:1-19 Top-down Gospel message
1. John 1:1-19 Top-down Gospel message
The bottom-up, forward chaining is used by most people. But not by John. He uses top-down, backward-chaining reasoning. The beginning of the Gospel of John is written in a top-down backward chaining way.
2. Top-down vs. bottom-up
The use of top-down backward-chaining thinking and logic in problem solving is essential to computer science thinking.
C if B if A (top-down backward chaining)
A then B then C (bottom-up, forward chaining)
Most other people use bottom-up forward-chaining thinking and logic and problem solving which is, in most cases, not the best way. The most common problems with this way of thinking is that the goal may not be clear, one may not get to the goal, one may deviate from the goal, and one may do extra work in trying to get to the goal.
3. Gospel message: bottom-up
Believe in Jesus to get to God! (forward-chaining, bottom-up reasoning)
Why should we believe Jesus?
How do we know that the message, the Bible, is true?
How do we know that Jesus is the correct, and only, path to God?
How do we know we will get there?
How do we avoid a lot of extra work to get there?
... and so on ...
4. Backward chaining method
How about using the backward chaining method? (top-down reasoning)
There is a creator God.
God created time and space and everything in it, including us.
God can send us a true message which can be authenticated.
God can enter the creation and interact with us.
God can tell us how to have fellowship with him and other believers.
5. Gospel message
If the top-down, backward chaining, deductive method of thinking about problem solving is so good, why does the Bible not use this method in presenting the Gospel message?
How does the Bible present the Gospel message?
6. Synoptic Gospels
Someone started the following and it got repeated enough times that people accept it without thinking. On just a little thought, it does not really make sense.
Matthew was written to the Jews.
Mark is the Gospel of a servant.
Luke was written to the Gentiles.
John is the Gospel of a mystic.
Synoptic means "
same" and "
view" where the "
same" is not an analogy but, rather, "
together". Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the "
synoptic" gospels.
The synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Matthew: bottom-up (chronologically, in Greek, recorded what Jesus said)
Mark: bottom-up (chronologically, from what Peter told Mark and what Mark remembered)
Luke: bottom-up (chronologically, historically, by Luke, from what people remembered some 20 years later, could be, with Acts, required documentation for trial of Paul in Rome)
John: organized very differently. Why?
7. Synoptic Gospels
Matthew was a tax collector and is written to the Jews. The skills of a tax collector included remembering details and taking shorthand, so many believe that Matthew's discourses of what Jesus said are close to the actual words of Jesus. In writing to the Jews, Matthew provides many Old Testament prophecies of Jesus.
Mark is the writer of the Gospel as related to Mark by Peter for publication. Mark appears to add a few personal touches, as was usually done, and probably with the permission of Peter. The Gospel of Mark is often taken as a Gospel of servant-hood, laking a genealogy as in Matthew and Luke. My personal preference is that Peter thought like a scientist, making many observations, making conclusions based on those observations, and leaving out parts that were either assumed to have been known or not relevant for what he was trying to say.
Luke was a physician for Paul. Medical practice was not like we know it today. As a physician, one could often not do much to help the patient. What one could do is ask questions, listen, console, and do limited things to help. Such skills made for an excellent historian. Luke appears to have sought out, questioned, and collected stories that he could verify. If a story is in the other Gospels but not Luke, it does not mean they are untrue. It means that Luke either did not know about them or could not personally verify their validity.
John is sometimes considered a mystic. On the other hand, John approaches problems and explains them in what today is considered a top-down backward-chaining approach that is embodied in the computer/information science of today.
8. John
The bottom-up, forward chaining is used by most people.
But not by John. He uses top-down, backward-chaining reasoning.
The beginning of the Gospel of John is written in a top-down backward chaining way.
9. In the beginning
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [kjv]
Which verse at the beginning of John corresponds to Genesis 1:1?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]
1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]
10. John 1:1-5 Cause and effect
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]
1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]
1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]
What is the
"beginning"?
What does the
"with" mean?
... and the word was with God, ...
... was in the beginning with God.
What is "
darkness"?
11. Genesis 1:1
KJV: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Hebrew: בראשית ברא אלהים את השמים ואת הארץ׃
Greek: εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεος τον ουρανον και την γην
12. John 1:1 Beginning
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]
There is a God. What is the
"beginning"? Which
"beginning"?
☐ The
"beginning" of the
"data" as in time and space as we know it as described in
Genesis 1:1. This is the "
box" in which we find ourselves.
☐ The
"beginning" of the
designed "goal" that, when worked backwards, is then
implemented using the
"data" that is described in Genesis 1:1. This design approach appears to fit
John 1:1.
Comparison:
John 1: (beginning of design) result/goal if run if code if data
Genesis 1: (beginning of implementation) data then code then run then result/goal
13. John 1:1 Logical reasoning
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, word".
The "logical reasoning" (masculine) is equated with "God" (masculine).
There is another Greek word to refer to a word or words as "
spoken words".
Discuss: Could the
"logical reasoning" have to do with "
reality" as we perceive it or as "
truth" as Jesus uses the word (referring to "
reality")?
What does it mean to be
"with" God? The Greek word means
"to" or
"towards",
14. John 1:1
KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Greek: εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος
15. John 1:1
KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Greek: εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος
16. John 1:2
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]
17. John 1:1-2 Towards
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος [gnt]
1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]
What does it mean to be
"with" God? This idea is both verses. The ancient Greek word
"πρός" ≈ "to, towards".
The word was to/towards God.
... in the beginning to/towards God.
In order to explain the
"to" or
"towards" someone decided to change the meaning to
"with" and then come up with rationalizations to justify changing the meaning.
18. John 1:2 Same
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον [gnt]
The
KJV (King James Version) translates as
"same" the Greek that is a pronoun that refers to something masculine. Both candidates were equated by John as equal in the previous verse.
☐
"logical reasoning"
☐
"God"
Some choices for
"same".
☐
The logical reasoning was in the beginning to/towards God.
☐
God was in the beginning to/towards God.
The
"to" or
"towards" is a reflexive application of the
"logical reasoning" to itself. Note that
two reflexive applications are needed to achieve a
fixed-point in the logical reasoning of reality. There is no need to translate
"to" or
"towards" as
"with" with the associated ambiguity of meaning.
19. John 1:2
KJV: The same was in the beginning with God.
Greek: ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον
20. John 1:3
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]
παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν [gnt]
God created time and space and everything in it, including us.
21. Making a creation
22. John 1:3
KJV: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Greek: παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν
23. John 1:4
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]
εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων [gnt]
24. John 1:4
KJV: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Greek: εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων
25. John 1:5
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]
και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν [gnt]
26. John 1:5
KJV: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Greek: και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν
27. John 1:6
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [kjv]
God can send us a true message which can be authenticated.
28. John 1:6
KJV: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Greek: εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα θεου ονομα αυτω ιωαννης
29. John 1:7
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [kjv]
ουτος ηλθεν εις μαρτυριαν ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος ινα παντες πιστευσωσιν δι αυτου [gnt]
30. John 1:7
KJV: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Greek: ουτος ηλθεν εις μαρτυριαν ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος ινα παντες πιστευσωσιν δι αυτου
31. John 1:8
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [kjv]
ουκ ην εκεινος το φως αλλ ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος [gnt]
32. John 1:8
KJV: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Greek: ουκ ην εκεινος το φως αλλ ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος
33. John 1:9
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [kjv]
ην το φως το αληθινον ο φωτιζει παντα ανθρωπον ερχομενον εις τον κοσμον [gnt]
34. John 1:9
KJV: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Greek: ην το φως το αληθινον ο φωτιζει παντα ανθρωπον ερχομενον εις τον κοσμον
35. John 1:10
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [kjv]
εν τω κοσμω ην και ο κοσμος δι αυτου εγενετο και ο κοσμος αυτον ουκ εγνω [gnt]
36. John 1:10
KJV: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Greek: εν τω κοσμω ην και ο κοσμος δι αυτου εγενετο και ο κοσμος αυτον ουκ εγνω
37. John 1:11
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [kjv]
εις τα ιδια ηλθεν και οι ιδιοι αυτον ου παρελαβον [gnt]
38. John 1:11
KJV: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Greek: εις τα ιδια ηλθεν και οι ιδιοι αυτον ου παρελαβον
39. John 1:12
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [kjv]
οσοι δε ελαβον αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν τεκνα θεου γενεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν εις το ονομα αυτου [gnt]
40. John 1:12
KJV: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Greek: οσοι δε ελαβον αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν τεκνα θεου γενεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν εις το ονομα αυτου
41. John 1:13
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [kjv]
οι ουκ εξ αιματων ουδε εκ θεληματος σαρκος ουδε εκ θεληματος ανδρος αλλ εκ θεου εγεννηθησαν [gnt]
42. John 1:13
KJV: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Greek: οι ουκ εξ αιματων ουδε εκ θεληματος σαρκος ουδε εκ θεληματος ανδρος αλλ εκ θεου εγεννηθησαν
43. John 1:14
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth. [kjv]
και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας [gnt]
God can enter the creation and interact with us.
44. John 1:14
KJV: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth.
Greek: και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας
45. John 1:15
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. [kjv]
ιωαννης μαρτυρει περι αυτου και κεκραγεν λεγων ουτος ην ον ειπον ο ειπων ο οπισω μου ερχομενος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην [gnt]
46. John 1:15
KJV: John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Greek: ιωαννης μαρτυρει περι αυτου και κεκραγεν λεγων ουτος ην ον ειπον ο ειπων ο οπισω μου ερχομενος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην
47. John 1:16
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [kjv]
και οτι εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος [gnt]
God can tell us how to have fellowship with him and other believers.
48. John 1:16
KJV: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Greek: και οτι εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος
49. John 1:17
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [kjv]
οτι ο νομος δια μωσεως μωυσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια ιησου χριστου εγενετο [gnt]
50. John 1:17
KJV: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Greek: οτι ο νομος δια μωσεως μωυσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια ιησου χριστου εγενετο
51. John 1:18
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. [kjv]
θεον ουδεις εωρακεν πωποτε ο μονογενης υιος θεος ο ων εις τον κολπον του πατρος εκεινος εξηγησατο [gnt]
52. John 1:18
KJV: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Greek: θεον ουδεις εωρακεν πωποτε ο μονογενης υιος θεος ο ων εις τον κολπον του πατρος εκεινος εξηγησατο
53. John 1:19
John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? [kjv]
και αυτη εστιν η μαρτυρια του ιωαννου οτε απεστειλαν προς αυτον οι ιουδαιοι εξ ιεροσολυμων ιερεις και λευιτας ινα ερωτησωσιν αυτον συ τις ει [gnt]
54. John 1:19
KJV: And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
Greek: και αυτη εστιν η μαρτυρια του ιωαννου οτε απεστειλαν προς αυτον οι ιουδαιοι εξ ιεροσολυμων ιερεις και λευιτας ινα ερωτησωσιν αυτον συ τις ει
55. How John writes
It becomes clear that John writes in a top-down backward-chaining problem solving style as used in modern computer/information science (informatics).
Other important writings of John are organized in the same way.
56. Continuing
To continue, one should determine the true purpose of life which John presents in a top-down backward chaining manner at the start of the letter of 1 John.
57. End of page
