“Neither do I condemn you”
The famous story of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53–8:11) and later forgiven by Jesus is also one that has uncertainties about its authenticity, since the earliest manuscripts do not have it and others that do have it in the Gospel of Luke. Most contemporary English translations have footnotes explaining this fact, if not outright “marginalizing” the passage.
But some scholars do have more sophisticated positions than just doubting the authorship. Raymond E. Brown, for example, in his commentary, thinks that even if the passage was not written by John, the story itself appears to be a real incident in the ministry of Jesus.
Dr. Gordon Hugenberger of Boston’s Park Street Church is currently preaching a series on the Fourth Gospel, and a few weeks ago he had promised a future sermon in which he would show that this passage in fact fits “like a glove” in this part of the Gospel. In his sermon on the past Sunday, he delivered a sermon on this passage. I downloaded the sermon this morning and listened to part of it on my drive to work. He mentioned that his thinking on this issue had changed over time. He told a story of his conversation with a New Testament scholar friend, in whom he confided his change of opinion on this issue. His friend looked around, as if to make sure that no one was around, and then said that he agreed. I have not finished listening to the sermon yet (as I have just arrived at work), but I am now really curious to find out what Dr. Hugenberger has to say in the rest of the sermon, and to find out who this NT scholar is.
Oh, by the way, the passage does not end with “Neither do I condemn you.” Jesus says further, “Go, and from now on sin no more.” Divine forgiveness is accompanied by a call to repentance and turning away from sin.
UPDATE: The New Testament scholar in question has a doctorate from Cambridge University. Could this be D. A. Carson?
UPDATE: After hearing a subsequent sermon, I am convinced by Dr. Hugenberger’s arguments that this passage should be regarded as authentic and belonging right here in the Gospel of John.
But some scholars do have more sophisticated positions than just doubting the authorship. Raymond E. Brown, for example, in his commentary, thinks that even if the passage was not written by John, the story itself appears to be a real incident in the ministry of Jesus.
Dr. Gordon Hugenberger of Boston’s Park Street Church is currently preaching a series on the Fourth Gospel, and a few weeks ago he had promised a future sermon in which he would show that this passage in fact fits “like a glove” in this part of the Gospel. In his sermon on the past Sunday, he delivered a sermon on this passage. I downloaded the sermon this morning and listened to part of it on my drive to work. He mentioned that his thinking on this issue had changed over time. He told a story of his conversation with a New Testament scholar friend, in whom he confided his change of opinion on this issue. His friend looked around, as if to make sure that no one was around, and then said that he agreed. I have not finished listening to the sermon yet (as I have just arrived at work), but I am now really curious to find out what Dr. Hugenberger has to say in the rest of the sermon, and to find out who this NT scholar is.
Oh, by the way, the passage does not end with “Neither do I condemn you.” Jesus says further, “Go, and from now on sin no more.” Divine forgiveness is accompanied by a call to repentance and turning away from sin.
UPDATE: The New Testament scholar in question has a doctorate from Cambridge University. Could this be D. A. Carson?
UPDATE: After hearing a subsequent sermon, I am convinced by Dr. Hugenberger’s arguments that this passage should be regarded as authentic and belonging right here in the Gospel of John.
posted by Auffie at
07:20
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