"that one"), and manyinstances of asyndeton (simply laying out clauses beside each other, withoutconnecting them with particles or conjunctions, as Greek prefers). More impor-tantly,there is little discernible difference in style between the words that areascribed to Jesus and the Evangelist's own comments (Jn. 3:16 ff.).With all these examples of the differences between the Synoptics and John'sGospel, the Gospel of John has been used by Christians in every age, and for thegreatest array of purposes. University students distribute free copies to their friendsin the hope of introducing them to the Savior. Elderly Christians on their deathbedask that parts of this Gospel be read to them. Very often, this Gospel is the first ofall Scripture to be translated in a newly evangelized part of the world. Childrenmemorize entire chapters, and sing choruses based on its truth (e.g. "For God SoLoved The World"). Countless Bible courses and sermons have been based on thisBook or on some part of it. It stood near the center of Christological controversy inthe fourth century. And perhaps the best known verse in all the Bible is John 3:16:a toddler can even recite it. In this Gospel the love of God is dramatically mediatedthrough Jesus Christ, so much so that Karl Barth is alleged to have commented thatthe most profound truth he had ever heard was "Jesus loves me, this I know/For theBible tells me so."Before entering this world, something must besaid about the date and the author. In addition,something must be said about the audience andpurpose of the author, and especially his literarytechniques, and the structure of his Gospel. Thesepoints belong to what is known as introduction. Thebetter they can be established and described, the easier it is to understand andappreciate the Gospel.Internal evidence suggests that the Gospel was written after 85 A.D. Externalevidence points to a date no later than 110 A.D. The allusion to Peter's martyrdomin 21:18-19...
