The importance of the reader has not always been recognized in either literary, theological or biblical studies. Historical critical interpreters sought the author's identity, background, sources, and purposes. Readers were relegated to the passive role of the author's "recipient" or "audience." The importance of the author so dominated concerns that C.K. Barrett could say that the Fourth Evangelist, "though doubtless aware of the necessity of strengthening Christians and converting the heathen, wrote primarily to satisfy him-self."[1] Barrett goes on to say that "His gospel must be written it was no concern of his whether it was also read."[2] The Gospel of John is one of the most theologically profound works of the New Testament because of his portrait of the person and work of Jesus Christ as well as Christ’s salvific work on the Cross. Any thoughts as far as further research on this topic?
[1] C. K. Barrett, The Gospel According to St. John, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1978. 134-135
[2] Barrett, The Gospel According to St. John 135.
