John 10:22-30

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The Accidental Christian:
Reflections of faith
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by Chaplain Bill McCoy
(March 07-08)

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • XXXVII.25-33; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • Chapter II, On Prayer,  Tertullian (c. 199)
  • VI.14, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XVIII, Against Hermogenes, Tertullian (c. 205)
  • II.5, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
  • Chapter VIII, Chapter XX, Chapter XXII, Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • Chapter VII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • I.XLVIII, VIII.XII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • On the Unity of the Church, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • Epistle LXXV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
  • Deposition of Arius, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 321-322.
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John: Tractate 48: (10:22-42).
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The unbelievers and proud men accuse the gospel of darkness, and this very darkness is indeed within themselves."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Christ would make us to believe; we make ourselves doubt."
  • The Good Shepherd [A Farewell Sermon (The last sermon which Whitefield preached in London, on Wednesday, August 30th, 1769, before his final departure to America.)] (John 10:27-28)
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Never did any prophet before, from the beginning of the world, use any one expression of himself, which could possibly be so interpreted as this and other expressions were, by all that heard our Lord speak. Therefore if he was not God he must have been the vilest of men."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The sheep who hear his voice and follow him (verse 27). This is the condition of their safety. If they comply with it God's grace will save them from the adversary."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, John 10:22-30 (Easter 4C), Frank L. Crouch, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "Because of Jesus' works and how he carried out his works, he—and only he—can rightfully say that he and the Father are one."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 4C, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "For John God remains God. Jesus is not a second God. Ultimately everything about Jesus points away from himself to God."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "God may not make such suffering go away, but we know for certain that they are not strong enough to separate us from Jesus."
  • Jesus is rejected by some, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
    • "The early church father, Origen, said that sheep represent our irrational and instinctual nature.  This aspect of our psyche needs guidance, but also has the ability to separate the 'true shepherd' from the false one."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 10:22-30, David Ewart, 2010.
    • "The challenge for most mainline Christians is not following Jesus. We've been taught pretty well about that. The challenge for us is recognizing Jesus' voice."
  • Gospel Analysis, Pastor Edward Markquart, Sermons from Seattle, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "This is the primary mark of a good shepherd. He is willing to die that the sheep might live. That is what the story of the cross is all about."
  • Exegesis, John 10:22-30, Robert L. Brawley, Lectionary Homiletics sample.
    • "Verse 30 'One' is neuter in Greek, and thus cannot be taken as a reference to oneness of person. The relationship of Jesus to God in John is marked, consistently and simultaneously, by both identity and distinction. The security of those who follow Jesus is the same as of those who follow God, because Jesus is at one with God in purpose and action."
  • First Look, Lee Koontz, reflectious, 2010.
    • "As we minister in his name it can be difficult to keep him at the center of all that we do."
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • The True Light of the World, Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Paul S. Berge, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
    • "In the setting of the festival of lights, Jesus is the true light of the world; in this festival of the temple, Jesus is the true temple in whom the presence of the Father dwells."
  • Fourth Sunday of Easter, The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the Sundays of Easter (Series C), Duane Olson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
    • "To believe in Jesus is to believe in God; to belong to Jesus is to belong to God."
  • "Good Shepherd, Good Sheep," Peter J. Gomes, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
    • "I want to suggest that the connection in this text on Good Shepherd Sunday, particularly for the clergy, is not that we are the shepherds, good, bad, or indifferent, but that we are among the sheep."
  • "Sheepish," Mary Schertz, The Christian Century, 2004.
    • "These sheep are not the blindly obedient animals that we find unsuitable models for children, especially for girls. Rather, the images of sheep are juxtaposed with darker and danker realities."
  • "Known by the Shepherd," Margaret Guenther, The Christian Century, 1995.
    • "There is no such thing as an independent or self-made sheep."
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, John 10:22-30, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  • "Picking On and Picking UP on Jesus," Expository Essay, John 10:22-30, Dr. William R. Long.
  • "To Hear and To Follow," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "Life itself is a process whereby I become increasingly able to recognize Christ’s voice and follow or I become enamored with my own voice (like the demons, the Religious Leaders and the Nazarenes) and reject his call. Everyday I must practice listening, everyday I must place myself where I can hear his call, or everyday I will come to mistake my own voice for his."
  • "The Good Shepherd," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Shepherding," F. Dean Lueking, The Christian Century, 1997. At Religion Online.
    • "Pat answers to the great questions are attractive in the short term. But they cheapen grace by not asking us to love God and others with the whole mind as well as heart and soul."
• Articles & Background:
  • "The 'Noble' Shepherd in John 10: Cultural And Rhetorical Background," Jerome H. Neyrey, Journal of Biblical Literature 120 (2001): 267-91.
    • "Because of the rich tradition about a 'noble' death in the rhetoric of praise, we argue that the adjective qualifying the 'shepherd' should also be translated as 'noble' and not simply 'good.'"
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Berge, Paul S., "Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to Father, Son and Holy Spirit," Word & World, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Brown, Rebecca Pugh, "Preaching Justice and Mercy: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for April," The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also "Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Golding, Thomas A., "The Imagery of Shepherding in the Bible, Part 1," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Golding, Thomas A., "The Imagery of Shepherding in the Bible, Part 2," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gomes, Peter J., "Good Shepherd, Good Sheep," Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Guenther, Margaret, "Known by the Shepherd," The Christian Century, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hays, Richard B., "Shepherded by the Lamb," The Christian Century, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kysar, Robert, "Expository Article: John 10:22-30," Interpretation, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lancaster, Jerry R. and R. Larry Overstreet, "Jesus' Celebration of Hanukkah in John 10," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Neyrey, Jerome H., "The 'Noble Shepherd' in John 10: Cultural and Rhetorical Background," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Olson, Duane A., "The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the Sundays after Easter (Series C)," Word & World, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Robert A., "'Though All Hell Should Endeavor to Shake': God's Preservation of His Saints," Presbyterion, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ramsey, Boniface, "A Note on the Disappearance of the Good Shepherd from Early Christian Art," Harvard Theological Review, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schertz, Mary, "Sheepish?" The Christian Century, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Von Wahlde, Urban C., "Literary Structure and Theological Argument in Three Discourses with the Jews in the Fourth Gospel," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
  • Review: James McGrath, John's Apologetic Christology: Legitimation and Development in Johannine Christology. Cambridge University Press, 2001. Review by Troy A Miller in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2003.
• Sermons:
  • "There Is Something About That Name," the Rev. Dr. Royeese Stowe, Day 1, 2010.
  • "Noticed, Named and Nurtured," The Rev. Elizabeth Mitchell Clement, Day 1, 2007.
  • "The Image in the Window," Luke Bouman, Easter 4C, April 29, 2007, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "I Shall Not Want," Easter IV, 2 May 2004, Walter W. Harms, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
• With Children:
  • "My Sheep Listen," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Disbelief in Jesus," Fr. Max Bowers, Kid's Church.
  • "In the Palm of His Hand," and "Three In One," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "In God's Hand," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • Crossword on John 9 & 10, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, John 10:27, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: John 10:27-30, John 10:27-30 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • John 10:22-30, John 10:22-30, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • John 10:22-30 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • O Jesus, You Were Born to Be, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, TRURO LM 8.8.8.8 (Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates)
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 10:24, 27, 28, 30. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • God Has Spoken by His Prophets
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Good Shepherd
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Good Shepherd
  • Difficulty Recognizing Evil
  • Satan
  • Redemption
  • Resurrection
  • Rebirth/New Life
  • Feeding/Eucharist
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John