Thesis

N & RJ Hanscamp hanscamps at paradise.net.nz
Mon May 15 06:20:06 EDT 2000


At last the Masters thesis I completed at the end of last year (actually, 
last century!!) has been marked.  The mark given via the Theology 
Consortium office is A- (around 78%).  Official confirmation from the 
University should arrive soon.

So after all that, I wish to thank all those who put up with my constant 
questioning and probing.  You helped me along the way in getting this work 
finished, and were properly acknowledged in the introduction.

The final title of the essay was "The Holy Spirit (PNEUMA) in the 
Pre-Easter Ministry of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel."

The Abstract / Synopsis is included below.

Once again, thanks for all who contributed so thoughtfully.  Now its on 
with parish life ... and on to ordination.

Nigel

Nigel Hanscamp
Matamata Union Parish
New Zealand
hanscamps at paradise.net.nz


ABSTRACT

Since the time of Clement of Alexandria, the Fourth Gospel has been 
understood as being a 'spiritual Gospel'.  From the first appearance of 
Jesus at the Jordan river with John the Baptist, to the giving of the 
Spirit after the resurrection, the Pneuma is connected with Jesus 
throughout the Gospel, making the Fourth Gospel's Pneumatology a factor of 
its Christology.  This thesis examines John's use of the word PNEUMA as it 
relates to the (Holy) Spirit, the Spirit of God, in Jesus' pre-Easter ministry.

In chapter one an examination is made of the background uses of the word 
'spirit' in Greek and Hebrew understandings, and goes on to briefly look at 
how the Hebrew ideas were cast into Greek language in the 
Septuagint.  Consideration is then given to the use of PNEUMA in the 
Synoptics, as well as in the Fourth Gospel, briefly highlighting the 
differences between them.  Two specifically Johannine questions are then 
addressed; the relationship of the Pneuma to the Paraclete, and the Fourth 
Gospel's use of the literary devices of 'misunderstanding' and 'double 
meaning' as they relate to the Pneuma material.

Chapter two examines the texts themselves, seeking to determine the meaning 
of PNEUMA in each passage and how that might relate to the pre-Easter 
ministry of Jesus.  This exegesis is done under several general themes 
which emerge within the study; the giving of the Pneuma to Jesus, the 
antitheses to the Pneuma ('flesh' and 'the world'), the promise of Pneuma, 
Johannine concepts of giving the Pneuma through symbol or metaphor, the 
action of the Pneuma in relation to the ongoing ministry of Jesus, the 
Pneuma given to the disciples, and finally a section of the pneuma passages 
dealing with Jesus' human spirit and emotions.

The final chapter examines all this data, drawing together the key themes 
found in the exegesis.  Comparisons between the Synoptics and the Fourth 
Gospel are considered.  The Spirit as a sign of Jesus' Messiahship, and as 
empowerment for his ministry, is also analysed, as are the wide variety of 
aspects of the giving of the Spirit to both Jesus and believers.  Finally 
the theme of the Promise of the Spirit in the post-resurrection future of 
the Gospel is examined.

This thesis concludes that the Spirit is a vital part of the pre-Easter 
ministry of Jesus, both as given to Jesus, and as offered to others.  It is 
given for the empowerment of Jesus' ministry and to signify that he is 
God's chosen one.  The Spirit is also spoken of in a future sense as Jesus 
promises the Spirit to believers after he is glorified.  In this way the 
Spirit is essential to Jesus' pre-Easter ministry as both a present power 
for Jesus, and a promise for the future of believers.

Nigel & Rebecca Hanscamp
18 Buchanan Street
Matamata
New Zealand
hanscamps at paradise.net.nz




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