One more Tim Staples disagreement from Oct. 11 show

[awalt]

I guess Oct. 11 CA Live show hit me with a few questions! Sorry Tim, I really think you do a fantastic job I just have to get these questions out on the table!

If I heard correctly (I was in the car), I heard some things that you said on that show that are debatable:

-John the son of Zebedee wrote the 4th Gospel

This is actually disputed in the Jerome Biblical Commentary, by the noted Catholic Biblical scholar Ray Brown, and others. I am in a formation class being taught by a Deacon in our archdiocese, and he cited several sources that also dispute this.

-John son of Zebedee is the “Beloved Disciple”

This has also been disputed, as far back as Eusebius. See also “The Community” by Ray Brown

-John son of Zebedee wrote the Johannine Epistles

I have found other references that dispute these claims – C.K. Barrett, A.G. van Aarde. The book “An introduction to the Gospel of John” by Father Ray Brown is excellent.

Many of these references and commentaries cite the confusion that has existed between different Johns’, who could have authored the scriptures. They all seem to cite confusion on whether disciples oh John wrote these later, disputes about how to Beloved Disciple and the author of scripture were not the same, etc.

I just thought it was again confusing to only state so simply that John son of Zebedee wrote these, when I can’t find any Catholic reference that states that without at a minimum showing some of this information and concluding that may not be true. I have also been told by our archdiocese professors that it is not accurate Church thinking to simply state John wrote them all without considering some clear discrepancies.

Of course none of this taints the message of the scriptures, or that the message focused around John’s Church community, we all agree with that! J

If I misunderstood what you said I apologize. I really like hearing your answers, as they really make me think.

Thoughts?