1 John 1
That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes,
which we looked upon and have touched with our hands,
concerning The Word of Life—
2 The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you
So that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,
that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
John's Gospel in 2015 ~ fragment 2 x 3.5" was considered to be First Century.
There are at least four methods for determining the dates of ancient manuscripts:
radiocarbon (carbon-14) testing of the manuscript
palaeography (handwriting analysis) of the manuscript
analysis of the archaeological context surrounding the manuscript
comparison of the manuscript with associated writings
As Peter Williams points out, 1-2 will not help researchers reach a date as precise as AD 80 or 90. That leaves 3-4.
But even this makes it difficult to reach a certain conclusion. Williams explains a best-case scenario:
If for convenience we suppose that [1] other manuscripts in the mask are ones with dates that survive (remembering that for a majority of texts no date survives) and [2] that the mask luckily enough contains four texts with firm date formulae (which would be really nice, but quite unlikely) and that these date formulae show manuscripts from the years 50, 60, 70 and 80, [then] that would still not mean that they could not be put together with a manuscript from considerably later than the year 90 to make a mummy mask.
The double negative in the last clause is a little confusing. Williams means that even if conditions were ideal, it still wouldn’t preclude the fragment itself from being later than the other fragments surrounding it. The other possibility, of course, is that somehow the archaeological context itself would date the mummy mask to a specific decade, though this would be unusual.
How should we respond to something like this?
I think it’s appropriate to be hopeful.
As an evangelical, I believe the best historical evidence points to the New Testament gospels composed in the first century: Mark (mid- to late 50s), Matthew (50s or 60s), Luke (c. 58-60), John (mid- or late 80s or early 90s). If this discovery doesn’t pan out, it doesn’t affect our dating of the gospels because the dating of the autographs (the originals) is not dependent upon the dating of manuscripts (the copies). If it does pan out—especially if it can be dated with confidence to the 80s—it would be a major discovery, because the oldest of anything is always noteworthy.
Justin Taylor, 2015
We stand on a Foundation of Jesus Christ. And the rest is lovely, but the Center is Jesus Christ.
There is simply too much archaeology to not have Enjoyment and Faith and Hope. Vastly Interesting. With History and recognized Historians. This is just Joy.
Look! John's Gospel and John's Later Books support each other. Here's your sign!
Why would John, as a human being, want to walk with Jesus. Peter proclaimed himself to be a sinner and hoped Jesus would move along. John tells us we can look forward to - - His Joy, Our Joy making Complete Joy.
Knowing no one is without sin. Jesus tells us God alone is Good. Jesus both delighted in mankind seeing into hearts and Jesus says He did not entrust Himself into mankind. Making the Word of God about our Father God. And for us to please and approach God boldly and with confidence, we believe God makes us Clean in Jesus and in His Righteousness.
John looks Up.
This is the path from Patmos village near the sea, leading uphill to the Cave John lived in overlooking the Ocean and the island. John's life is the longest, going into the 2nd Century and John's Books look upon a life of Walking with Jesus and finding John's thoughts on a long life John has been given. John delights on into the Second Century on God's Love and Joy.
John condensed all of John's Gospels and Books into writing, "God is Love."
Proverbs 8 tells us in the Beginning, The Father Delighted in His Son, His Son delighted in The Father and the Son delighted in His Father's Master Workmanship, knowing Jesus would arrive here to have Joy doing the Good Works God would Give Jesus to Do. The Father didn't send a young boy to cope as Messiah. The One of Father and Son created Complete Joy in the Works of Jesus and His Joy.
John's Cave did not have neon signs and Oaks of Mamre.
John's cave might have been difficult to find in the middle of a sheep field. Just as the early years of Jesus were not told. Jesus delighted in the Master Workmanship and in these years of Jesus growing up, the obscure years of early childhood and manhood - we do know the Beginning - Jesus was having Fellowship with God. Joy of being One with God. Jesus was living and walking with God in His Light.
The Ministry of Jesus reflects all Jesus has thought about and learned about God. The Son of God did not spring up like 2 minute popcorn from the microwave. Nazareth childhood to Adult Capernaum: We read God's Chapters and find a depth to the Living Word of God and we will never run dry from Living Water of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Manifestly Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow the Living Word of God.
The Oneness of Jesus, The Light of the World, The Light of mankind - as a Child enjoyed children and childhood. The God of All did not rush through childhood to prepare. Jesus tells us Life is Joy. John 14, 15, 16 and 17. Before Abraham, Jesus existed. For a Life of Complete Joy, Jesus never brushed away children. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Hens lovingly care for their babies and their eggs.
Just as the Oneness of Jesus in Fellowship with His Father prepares Him to walk in the Joy of Life. And Prepares Jesus for the Works God has made for Him.
Abba, Father God,
You have Blessed us - in this time of uncertainty - for this illness is not to hurt the young.
In every age of mankind, we can point to virtues in the age.
Today, we can rejoice in the Love You have for not just the children being loved, we can rejoice in the goodness of the Parents to Love their Child. And find Light in the darkness of sorting out Covid 19.
John's long life recognized the Complete Joy of Jesus. Jesus told us to look! Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4.
Psalm 36:7
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 57:1
A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
Psalm 63:7
For you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
Matthew 23:37ab
How often would I have gathered your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
We would ask in the Name of Jesus, to cover this Good Creation with Your Love.
Healing us all from Covid 19 and Safety.
Our Father God Blessing us privilege, in Jesus, to ask more Heaven on earth.
Your Good Will. Our Hope and Future.
Jesus saves the world. Light of mankind. Light of the world.
We would place ourselves and Your Beloved in the Shadow of Your Wings.
We would ask Jesus to be Grace upon Grace and cover us forever in the Righteousness of Jesus.
Bless You for Your Mercy.
Asking Your Help to
Seek Jesus and His Kingdom first.
To live Life in Love, Peace and Joy. More Heaven.
Now and as we will all eventually arrive to see Jesus in His Kingdom.
In this time, Lent, with such bold searching
Give us This Day
Our Jesus our Living Bread.
All prayer, You know our heart to You and Your Love
to bring ourselves as we are,
to bring our prayer requests we know well
to have Your Comforter. To live Your Book of Life in Jesus Christ.
To You, our Love, Father God,
Knowing Jesus as the Word of God
The Kingdom,
The Power
and
The Glory of Our God.
Jesus Christ.
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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