Eternal life is one of the major themes in the fourth Gospel. J. W.

Roberts notes, “It is

generally conceded that eternal life in Christ is the main theme of the Gospel of
John.” What is meant by the phrase ‘eternal life’ and when that ‘eternal life’ starts,
however, is a topic of debate. The way people in the Middle East during the time of
Jesus thought about eternal life is not synonymous with the way many do today.
Within most modern Western secular worldviews and the eschatological teaching of
the influential Christian theology, i.e dispensationalism, eternal life is often
considered to begin ‘after death’ or ‘when Jesus returns’. In contrast, Marianne Meye
Thompson states when the author of the fourth Gospel refers to ‘eternal life’ he is not
referring to what comes after death, but rather the “coming new age.” The majority of
the Johannine community, the intended original recipients of John’s Gospel, were
Jewish. They too would have understood the concept of eternal life in this way.
However, despite Jewish Christians being in the centre of John’s audience, there
were also Greeks and, most likely, a proportion of Samaritans on the fringes (John
12:19-20). One theory among scholars is that John penned his Gospel with the
Hellenistic readers of the Johannine community very much in his mind, as they
“commonly lived filled with a dread of death and longing for life.” The dread of death
and a longing for life would have no doubt been in the minds and hearts of both the
Jewish and gentile believers at the time of John writing his Gospel, which is widely
thought to be towards the end of the first century. Raymond E. Brown, in his
reconstruction of the history of the Johannine community, writes about how during
this period of history Christians found themselves in an intense conflict with “the
Jews.” Won-Ha Hwang agrees and notes, “the conflict was due to Jewish Christians
admitting Samaritans and other anti-temple groups to the Johannine group.” Before
John had completed his Gospel, the Johaninne community had been expelled from
the synagogues for confessing Jesus as the Messiah. Following their expulsion, they
were persecuted and, on occasion, put to death. This conflict was very much on the
author's mind as he wrote the words “put out of the synagogues” on three occasions
(9:22; 12;42; 16;2). John the disciple, who is widely considered to be the John who
“stands behind” the authorship of the gospel, was himself living among, and writing
to a community of Jewish and Gentile Christians. It is in the context and with the
backdrop of this hostility that John records these words spoken by Jesus during his
private ministry to the disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do
not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid” (John 14:17).

Proposed Dissertation Question:

What is the meaning of the peace in John 14:27 and why is it significant for
the hope of humanity?

Current debate
There are various interpretations of the meaning of the word peace in John’s gospel
and, more specifically, the meaning of peace in the context of John 14:27. Some
have believed ‘peace’ in the text refers to an end of the conflict and hostility the
disciples were facing, or a “cessation of warfare.” C. K Barrett understands the word
peace in this passage to mean “the absence of fear and a perturbation of heart.”
Marianne Meye Thompson suggests Jesus' promise to give his disciples peace is
“coupled with the promise of his ongoing presence.” It is her understanding that
Jesus is encouraging the disciples by alluding to how he will remain with them
through the Holy Spirit during the upcoming times of persecution despite ‘appearing’
absent. In Thompson’s interpretation, Jesus is referring to the peace the early
Christians would have in his presence. Craig Keener seems to see the meaning of
peace in this passage as being multifaceted. The New Testament scholar notes how
on one level the peace Jesus promises to give and leave could refer to “tranquillity in
the midst of hardship or to the bliss of the righteous after death.” For the purposes of
this study, I am particularly interested in the way Keener sees the peace in this
passage as being applied to an “eschatological hope for Israel”, despite Jesus
saying that he “leaves” it with them. The people cited above are some of the key
scholars I intend to engage with.

Aim/purpose of the project

My aim in this dissertation is to do a biblical exegesis of John 14:27 and thorough
study of the word ‘peace’ within the passage. My purpose for doing this is to
emphasise the deep biblical meaning of ‘peace’ and, to highlight its profound
significance in regards to the hope of humanity. I hope this contributes to a deeper
and broader understanding of the peace Jesus offers us.

Significance of your project

NT Wright suggests, “Hope is what you get when you suddenly realise that a
different worldview is possible.” In the last five hundred years the dominant
worldview in Western societies has shifted dramatically. There has been an
incessant change in what society has been influenced to believe about the nature of
truth, meaning, purpose, and eternal life. This shift has led to a change in the object
of hope and a significant reduction in the level of hopefulness in the Western world.
This has had an impact on what people and communities believe is possible for
humanity in this life. In the current postmodern age, hope has diminished. In 1974,
the British missionary Leslie Newbigin returned from his mission trip to India where
he had been since 1936, and said the greatest difficulty he faced in being back in
Britain was “the disappearance of hope.” In this dissertation, I will endeavour to show
how a deeper and truer understanding of Jesus’ promise of peace in John 14:27 can
lead to renewed hope. I intend to show how the peace offered is more than an end of
conflict or a feeling of tranquillity in our hearts. The peace Jesus gives and leaves is
more significant than that. It is what Noel Moules describes as “salvation properly
understood.”
John N Darby’s dispensationalist view of salvation has led to the object of many
Christians’ hope being the ‘eternal life’ that comes after death or the “rapture.” I hope
my contribution to the conversation regarding the meaning of peace in John 14:27
further reveals that what awaits humankind in the ‘eternal life’ can be known and
experienced by them in the present age.

Scope of the project

This project will primarily be a biblical exegesis of the meaning of the peace Jesus
offers in John 14:27. In order to keep this dissertation focussed, my research will not
venture deeply into the meaning of the word peace throughout the scriptures.
Rather, I will dedicate my time to discovering how peace in the Old and New
Testaments, particularly in the Gospel of John, relates to Jesus and the coming of
his Kingdom on earth.

Methodology
Step 1: Study the primary text
To get a thorough understanding of the context and background of the passage I will
read through the whole of the Gospel of John several times. This will give me more
of an insight into the main theme of the Gospel and, in addition, the main message
John was attempting to get across to his readers.
Step 2: Study the context of text
I will then do a more focussed and deeper study of the context of the passage
through a more in-depth reading of the chapter and other sources, including
commentaries on John’s Gospel. My purpose for doing this will be to acquire a
greater understanding of the situation the disciples were facing at the time of Jesus
speaking these words. Further, to gain an understanding of the nature of the
persecution which, seemingly, was inciting fear within the Johannine community
during the time of John writing the Gospel.
Step 3: Explore the biblical meaning peace.
My next step will be to do a word study of ‘peace’. I will do this by using expository
dictionaries and online interlinear tools such as ‘Bible Hub’ and ‘Blue Letter Bible’.
My intention is to do an extensive exploration of the meaning and use of the word for
peace, i.e. shalom, in the Old Testament Hebrew, and the New Testament Greek
word for peace, eirene. I will focus this study on the parts of the Bible where the word
peace is either alluding to Jesus or, revealing what he came to “leave" or “give.”
Step 4: Read Commentaries and Academic sources
At this point, I should have a good understanding of the background and context of
the John’s Gospel and the passage of scripture I am exegeting. Additionally, I should
have a solid understanding of the meaning of the word peace within the context of
the passage. Once I have gained this understanding I will then consult commentaries
and academic journals to recognise how scholars have understood the text and
interpreted the meaning of the word peace. In addition, I will read books which have
a focus on the meaning of ‘shalom’ and ‘eirene’ in the Bible and the Gospel of John
in particular.
Step 5: Draw conclusions
On completion of my study, I will examine and reflect on my findings. Subsequently, I
will begin to draw conclusions regarding the meaning of peace in John 14:27. This
will form the main part of my essay in which the evidence from the various sources I
have engaged with during my research will be collated and critically analysed.
Step 6: Consider significance to present context
I will engage with various sources, such as Richard Bauckham's ‘Hope against
Hope’, to gain more insight into the reasons for a disappearance of hope in the
postmodern world. Lastly, I will reflect on the significance of the peace Jesus offers
to a hope-depleted humanity.

Assumption/Theoretical stance
This dissertation assumes that there is eternal significance in the peace Jesus is
offering to the world in John 14:27. My current theoretical stance regarding the
meaning of the peace Jesus refers to is that it is not merely a peace which comes
when conflict ceases, psychological tension subsides or when we experience a
tranquil feeling brought on by the presence of the Holy Spirit. My assumption is that it
is so much more than that. I believe John, in this passage, is communicating to his
readers about the nature of God’s salvation available to them in the coming of his
kingdom here on earth. The coming new age in which shalom is possible because of
a restored relationship with God. D.A Carson writes how some mistakenly believe
the peace in this passage to be “some mystical sense of well-being detached from
physical and spiritual realities.” I will endeavour to show the ways in which peace in
John 14:27 is related to the holistic salvation of the whole person, which is significant
for the hope of humanity in this present age.

Project outline
The preliminary outline of my dissertation is as follows:
Introduction
Context
A good understanding of the main theme of the gospel and context of the passage is
necessary for the reader to understand my exegesis. Hence, I will begin by reflecting
on how ‘eternal life' is the major theme of the gospel of John. In addition, I will set
John 14:27 in its historical context by explaining the situation of the disciples at the
time of Jesus giving his farewell discourse. Furthermore, I will briefly consider the
nature of the persecution which the Johannine community was experiencing around
the time John wrote to them.

Exegesis
This section will make up the bulk of my essay and will be divided into three
subsections:
1. The biblical meaning of peace
In this section I will explore the meaning of the word peace in the Old and New
Testaments. My main attention will be where the Hebrew word, shalom, and the
Greek word ‘eirene’, are directly related to Jesus.
2. Shalom and Salvation
In this section I will research the links between shalom and Jesus’ salvation in an
attempt to ascertain whether Noel Moules’ statement, “shalom is salvation is properly
understood” is correct.
3. Shalom and the Kingdom of God
In this section I explore links between shalom and Jesus’ coming Kingdom. I will
critically analyse Vernard Eller's statement that “thy shalom be on earth as it is in
heaven" is the equivalent to praying “thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”
4. Synthesis
In this section I will explore and critically analyse if Jesus is alluding to his salvation
and coming of his kingdom when he uses the word peace in the context of John
14:27. What are the links and connections that can be rightly made between the
peace Jesus offers and humanity's eschatological hope.

Application
I will consider the significance of the meaning of peace in the passage for the hope
of humanity today.
Conclusion The conclusion will summarise the dissertation and present a final
conclusion to the proposed question.