A Narrative Approach to the Identity of the Beloved Disciple

The Fourth Gospel says that the Beloved Disciple
testified and wrote the Gospel. However, BD is not
clearly identified in the Gospel. Accordingly,
making the identity of BD clear may be meaningful.
One approach of previous research focused on whether
BD is John the apostle or another disciple. The
other approach focused on the function of the
chracterization of BD. There was a gap between the
two approaches. The former was not concerned with
the characterization of BD, while the latter not
with the identity of BD. However, this researcher
seeks to fill this gap, in addition to analyzing the
identity of BD. This research reveals that the
evangelist, John the apostle, cast BD in the Fourth
Gospel by characterizing himself as an idealized
disciple, a model for the believer. This approach
should help shed some light on understanding the
authorship of the Fourth Gospel and should be
helpful to everyone, including students, churchmen,
and scholars, who may have a great concern to know
the identity of BD.

Autorentext

PhD: Studied Physics at Seoul National University. PhD: Studied New Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Senior Researcher at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Preacher at Joobohyul Baptist Church

Klappentext

The Fourth Gospel says that the Beloved Disciple testified and wrote the Gospel. However, BD is not clearly identified in the Gospel. Accordingly, making the identity of BD clear may be meaningful. One approach of previous research focused on whether BD is John the apostle or another disciple. The other approach focused on the function of the chracterization of BD. There was a gap between the two approaches. The former was not concerned with the characterization of BD, while the latter not with the identity of BD. However, this researcher seeks to fill this gap, in addition to analyzing the identity of BD. This research reveals that the evangelist, John the apostle, cast BD in the Fourth Gospel by characterizing himself as an idealized disciple, a model for the believer. This approach should help shed some light on understanding the authorship of the Fourth Gospel and should be helpful to everyone, including students, churchmen, and scholars, who may have a great concern to know the identity of BD.