ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

The Gospel of John's perception of ethical behaviour¹

 

Die Evangelie volgens Johannes se opvatting oor etiese gedrag

 

 

J.G. van der Watt

Department of New Testament Exegesis, Radboud University Nijmegen, Unit for Reformed Theology, Potchefstroom Campus. North-West University². Potchefstroom. E-mail: janvanderwatt@kpnmail.nl

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Johannine ethics have proven to be a problematic and challenging area of research. In this article the way in which the author of the Gospel of John defines ethical actions are explored. What does he describe as the works of God and what is really good, according to him? The conclusion is that the analytical categories for treating the ethics in the Gospel of John should be broadened.

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OPSOMMING

Johannese etiek is 'n problematiese en uitdagende onder-soekveld. In hierdie artikel word die manier waarop die outeur van Johannes etiese aksies definieer, ondersoek. Wat sien hy as die werke van God en wat is, volgens hom, werklik goed? Die konklusie is dat die analitiese kategorieë verbreed moet word waarvolgens etiek in die Evangelie van Johannes hanteer moet word.

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1 Ek dra hierdie artikel op aan Tjaart van der Walt in dankbare erkenning vir sy groot bydrae as Nuwe-Testamentikus.
2 Jan van der Watt is extraordinary professor at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University in Potchefstroom.