Discrediting Your Source. GJohn as Denial of GMark

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JoeWallack
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Luukeey! Ya Got Sum Splainin Ta Do

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVlX6h4J0Ew

JW:
Interesting article theorizing about the relationship of GJohn to GMark:

Mark, John, and Answerability: Interfluentiality and Dialectic between the Second and Fourth Gospels

It's commonly observed that GJohn looks like it was originally a Gnostic Gospel and subsequently was converted to an orthodox Gospel. One of the theories this article provides is that GJohn was originally written primarily to edit the individual stories in GMark and GJohn was subsequently edited to add stories. As always with CBS, I think what the author misses is the key measure of editing of all the Gospels and especially GJohn is not what the stories are but why stories are chosen. The why is the conversion of the claimed source of evidence from Revelation to supposed Historical witness.

A good related example of GJohn reacting to GMark and converting from Revelation to supposed Historical witness is:

Five Gospel Perils

GMark GMatthew GLuke GJohn
1.2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; 1.3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight--"
1. As previously indicated 1:1-3 is likely not original to GMark The Skeptical Critical Commentary - Gospel of Mark

2. GMark's quote here is generally confessed to be in error as part of the quote is from Malachi. This would fit "Mark" though as generally he is way more interested in style than accuracy.

3. It also fits "Mark's" style in that the identification of John the Baptist has to be made by the reader here (Revelation). No one other than the Christ part of Jesus Christ makes the identification in the narrative and there is not even an editorial comment making the identification.
3.3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
1. In typical fashion "Matthew" exorcises the error by exorcising the Malachi part.

2. "Matthew" adds an editorial comment identifying John the Baptist thus moving away from Revelation.
3.4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 3.5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 3.6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
1. It looks like Marcion had the original GLuke and this is not in Marcion's, so...

2. Marcion's Gospel switches on GMatthew and only has the excerpt from Malachi at a later point in its Gospel. The above is closer to GMark thematically though than GMatthew as there is no editorial identification of John the Baptist.

3. On the other hand the above appears to go orthodox as it has Jesus identified as the Go To Guy for the Gentiles at the start. But this would also be Gnostic/Marcion as Marcion was all about Jesus being for non Jews from the beginning. A merger of Gnostic and orthodox Christianity (just like Acts)?
1.23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
1. "John" likewise exorcises error by exorcising the quote from Malachi.

2. "John" goes full orthodox by having the known historical character identify himself for the claim of prophecy fulfillment.

3. "John" raises historical correction of "Matthew"/"Luke" by one by having John the Baptist say that he is not Elijah.

4. "John" seems clearly like a reaction to GMark here as John the Baptist plays What's My Line? with the Jews before the narrative even mentions he was baptizing. GJohn has an assumed background of GMark.

5. Note the progression from Revelation to History here regarding identifying John the Baptist with the Isaiah quote:
  • GMark = No character or editorial identification. It's left to the Reader.

    GMatthew = Editorial identification.

    Gluke = Unclear since the likely original Marcion did not have it.

    GJohn = Character identifrication.


Joseph

STORY, n. A narrative, commonly untrue. The truth of the stories here following has, however, not been successfully impeached.

ErrancyWiki
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