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SPRINGER BRIEFS IN PHYSICS
Costas J. Papachristou
Aspects
of Integrability
of Differential
Systems and Fields
A Mathematical
Primer for Physicists
123
SpringerBriefs in Physics
Series Editors
Balasubramanian Ananthanarayan, Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore, India
Egor Babaev, Physics Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst,
MA, USA
Malcolm Bremer, H H Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Xavier Calmet, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex,
Brighton, UK
Francesca Di Lodovico, Department of Physics, Queen Mary University of London,
London, UK
Pablo D. Esquinazi, Institute for Experimental Physics II, University of Leipzig,
Leipzig, Germany
Maarten Hoogerland, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Eric Le Ru, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University
of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington, New Zealand
Hans-Joachim Lewerenz, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
Dario Narducci, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
James Overduin, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
Vesselin Petkov, Montreal, QC, Canada
Stefan Theisen, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Golm, Germany
Charles H.-T. Wang, Department of Physics, The University of Aberdeen,
Aberdeen, UK
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MI, USA
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Aspects of Integrability
of Differential Systems
and Fields
A Mathematical Primer for Physicists
123
Costas J. Papachristou
Department of Physical Sciences
Hellenic Naval Academy
Piraeus, Greece
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface
v
vi Preface
vii
viii Contents
We begin with a few basic concepts from Topology that will be needed in the sequel.
A domain D on the plane is said to be simply connected if, for every closed curve
C within this domain, every point of the plane in the interior of C is also a point of
D. Alternatively, the domain D is simply connected if every closed curve in D can be
shrunk to a point without ever leaving this domain. If this condition is not fulfilled,
the domain is called multiply connected.
In Fig. 1.1, the region (α) is simply connected, the region (β) is doubly connected
while the region (γ ) is triply connected. Notice that there are two kinds of closed
curves in region (β): those that do not encircle the “hole” and those that encircle it.
(We note that the hole could even consist of a single point subtracted from the plane.)
By a similar reasoning, the triple connectedness of region (γ ) is due to the fact that
there are three kinds of closed curves in this region: those that do not encircle any
hole, those that encircle only one hole (no matter which one!) and those that encircle
two holes.
A domain Ω in space is simply connected if, for every closed curve C inside Ω,
there is always an open surface bounded by C and located entirely within Ω. This
(α ) (β ) (γ )
Fig. 1.1 Three domains on the plane, having different types of connectedness
means that every closed curve in Ω can be shrunk to a point without ever leaving the
domain. If this is not the case, the domain is multiply connected.
Examples
1. The interior, the exterior as well as the surface of a sphere are simply connected
domains in space. The same is true for a spherical shell (the space between two
concentric spherical surfaces).
2. The space in the interior of a torus (Fig. 1.2) is doubly connected (explain why!).
We consider the plane R2 with coordinates (x, y). Let D ⊆ R2 be a domain on the
plane and let P(x, y) and Q(x, y) be functions differentiable at every point of D. The
expression
is an exact (or total, or perfect) differential if there exists a function u(x, y),
differentiable everywhere in D, such that
Let us find the necessary condition for the existence of u(x, y). In general,
∂u ∂u
du = dx + dy (1.2.2)
∂x ∂y
By comparing (1.2.1) and (1.2.2) and by taking into account that the differentials
dx and dy are independent of each other, we find the following system of partial
differential equations (PDEs):
∂u ∂u
= P(x, y), = Q(x, y) (1.2.3)
∂x ∂y
1.2 Exact Differentials and Integrability 3
In order for the system (1.2.3) to have a solution for u (that is, to be integrable),
its two equations must be compatible with each other. The compatibility condition
or integrability condition of the system is found as follows: We differentiate the first
equation with respect to y and the second one with respect to x. By equating the
mixed derivatives of u with respect to x and y, we find the PDE
∂P ∂Q
= (1.2.4)
∂y ∂x
If condition (1.2.4) is not satisfied, the system (1.2.3) [or, equivalently, the differ-
ential relation (1.2.1)] does not have a solution for u and the expression Pdx + Qdy
is not an exact differential.
Examples
du = yd x + xdy.
∂u/∂ x = y, ∂u/∂ y = x.
u = x y + C(y),
C (y) = 0 ⇒ C = constant.
4 1 Integrability on the Plane and in Space
Thus, finally,
u(x, y) = x y + C.
Thus, finally,
u(x, y) = x 2 /2 + xe y − y 2 + C.
Equivalently, since
∂u ∂u ∂u
= P(x, y, z), = Q(x, y, z), = R(x, y, z) (1.2.6)
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂P ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂R
= , = , = (1.2.7)
∂y ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂y
Conditions (1.2.7) are also sufficient for solution if the domain Ω, within which
the functions P, Q, R are differentiable, is simply connected (Bermant 1975).
du = (x + y + z)(d x + dy + dz),
Finally,
u = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 /2 + x y + x z + yz + C.
6 1 Integrability on the Plane and in Space
Consider the plane R2 with coordinates (x, y). Let L be an oriented curve (path)
on the plane, with initial point A and final point B (Fig. 1.3). The curve L may be
described by parametric equations of the form
Given a plane curve L from A to B, we now consider a line integral of the form
•A
x
t
x
−R R
1.3 Line Integrals and Path Independence 7
IL = P(x, y) d x+Q(x, y) dy (1.3.2)
L
so that
tB
IL = P [x(t), y(t)]x (t) + Q[x(t), y(t)]y (t) dt (1.3.3)
tA
In general, the value of the integral I L depends on the path L connecting A and B.
For every path L: A → B, we can define the path –L: B → A, with opposite
orientation. From (1.3.3) it follows that, if
tB
IL = (· · · )dt,
tA
then
tA
I−L = (· · · )dt.
tB
Thus,
I−L = −I L (1.3.5)
If the end points A and B of a path coincide, then we have a closed curve
C and,
correspondingly, a closed line integral I C , for which we use the symbol C . We then
have:
(· · · ) = − (· · · ) (1.3.6)
−C C
R
t
x
represents a circle on the plane (Fig. 1.5). If the counterclockwise orientation of the
circle (where t increases from 0 to 2π ) corresponds to the curve C, then the clockwise
orientation (with t decreasing from 2π to 0) corresponds to the curve –C.
Proposition If
Pd x + Q dy = 0
C
is independent of the path L connecting any two points A and B on this plane. The
converse is also true.
Proof We consider any two points A and B on the plane, as well as two different paths
L 1 and L 2 connecting these points, as seen in Fig. 1.6 (there is an infinite number of
such paths). We form the closed path C = L 1 + (−L 2 ) from A to B through L 1 and
back again to A through –L 2 . We then have:
L2
A•
1.3 Line Integrals and Path Independence 9
C Pd x + Q dy = 0 ⇔ L 1 Pd x + Qdy + −L 2 Pd x + Qdy = 0 ⇔
L1 Pd x + Q dy − L 2 Pd x + Qdy = 0 ⇔ L 1 Pd x + Qdy = L 2 Pd x + Q dy.
Theorem 1 Consider two functions P(x, y) and Q(x, y), differentiable in a simply
connected domain Dof the plane. Then, the following 4 conditions are equivalent to
one another (if any one is true, then the rest are true as well):
(a) C Pd x + Q dy = 0, for any closed curve C within D.
(b) The integral L Pd x + Q dy is independent of the curved path L connecting
two fixed points A and B of D.
(c) The expression Pdx + Qdy is an exact differential.That is, there exists a function
u(x, y) such that
∂P ∂Q
(d) At every point of D, ∂y
= ∂x
.
(For a proof of this theorem, see, e.g., Bermant 1975.)
Comment In the case where the domain D is not simply connected, condition (d)
does not guarantee the validity of the remaining three conditions. However, con-
ditions (a), (b), (c) are still equivalent to one another and each of them separately
guarantees (d). Note that (d) is the integrability condition for the validity of (c).
(Remember that the former condition is necessary but not sufficient in the case
where the domain D, in which the functions P and Q are differentiable, is not simply
connected.)
Example Consider the differential expression
−yd x + xdy
ω= .
x 2 + y2
be a parametric curve from point A of R3 to point B. Let P(x, y, z), Q(x, y, z), R(x, y,
z) be functions differentiable in the domain Ω ⊆ R3 in which the curve L is located.
10 1 Integrability on the Plane and in Space
y
y
D
C
• x
O
• x
O
Fig. 1.7 The domain D does not contain the origin O. The curve C contains O in its interior
∂P ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂R
= , = , = .
∂y ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂y
Comment If the domain Ω is not simply connected, condition (d) does not guarantee
the validity of the remaining three conditions. However, conditions (a), (b), (c) are
still equivalent to one another and each of them separately guarantees (d). Note that
(d) is the integrability condition for the validity of (c). (As we have said, the former
condition is necessary but not sufficient in the case where the domain Ω, in which
the functions P, Q and R are differentiable, is not simply connected.)
1.3 Line Integrals and Path Independence 11
From (c) it follows that, for any open curve L limited by two fixed points A and
B,
B B
Pd x + Qdy + Rdz = du = u(B)−u(A) ≡ u(x B , y B , z B ) − u(x A , y A , z A ) (1.3.9)
A A
where r is the position vector of a point (x, y, z) of the domain, and where û x , û y , û z
are the unit vectors on the axes x, y, z, respectively. The functions P, Q, R are assumed
to be differentiable in the domain Ω. We write: A ≡ (P, Q, R), r ≡ (x, y, z) and
−
→
dr ≡ (d x, dy, dz).
We say that the field (1.4.1) is potential if there exists a differentiable function
u(x, y, z) such that
A = ∇u (1.4.2)
or, in components,
∂u ∂u ∂u
P= , Q= , R= (1.4.3)
∂x ∂y ∂z
∇ × A = ∇ × ∇u = 0 (1.4.4)
∂P ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂R
= , = , = (1.4.5)
∂y ∂x ∂z ∂x ∂z ∂y
Taking into account the independence of the differentials dx, dy, dz, we are thus
led to the system (1.4.3), thus to the vector Eq. (1.4.2).
Theorem 2 of Sect. 1.3 can be re-expressed in the “language” of vector fields as
follows (Bermant 1975; Greenberg 1998).
Theorem Consider a vector field A ≡ (P, Q, R), where the functions P, Q, Rare
differentiable in a simply connected domain Ω ⊆ R3 . Let Lbe an open curve and let
C be a closed curve, both lying in Ω. Then, the following 4 conditions are equivalent
to one another:
→
−
(a) C A · d r ≡ C Pd x + Qdy + Rdz = 0.
−
→
(b) The integral L A · d r ≡ L Pd x + Q dy + Rdz is independent of the curved
path L connecting any two fixed points in Ω.
(c) There exists a function u(x, y, z)such that, at every point of Ω, A = ∇u.
(d) At every point of Ω, ∇ × A = 0 (i.e., the field A is irrotational).
Comments
da
da
dr
S
C
Fig. 1.8 An oriented open surface S bordered by an oriented closed curve C. The relative orientation
of S and C is in accordance with the familiar “right-hand rule”
Let S be an open surface inside the field, bounded by the closed curve C (cf.
Fig. 1.8). By Stokes’ theorem, relation (1.5.1) yields
−
→ −
→
F · dr = (∇ × F) · da = 0.
C S
In order for this to be valid for every open surface bounded by C, we must have
∇×F =0 (1.5.2)
That is, a conservative force field is irrotational. (The validity of the converse
requires that the domain of space in which the field is defined be simply connected.)
From (1.5.1) it also follows that, according to the Theorem of Sect. 1.4, there
exists a function such that F(r ) is the grad of this function. We write
14 1 Integrability on the Plane and in Space
F = −∇U (1.5.3)
The function U (r ) = U (x, y, z) is called the potential energy of the test particle
at the point r ≡ (x, y, z) of the field. [The negative sign in (1.5.3) is only a matter
of convention and has no special physical meaning. One may eliminate it by putting
–U in place of U. Note also that U is arbitrary to within an additive constant, given
that U and (U + c) correspond to the same force F in (1.5.3).]
The work W AB of F (where the latter is assumed to be the total force on the
particle) is written
B
−
→ B
−
→ B
W AB = F · dr = − (∇U ) · dr = − dU ⇒
A A A
W AB = U (r A ) − U (r B ) ≡ U A − U B (1.5.4)
Now, by the work-energy theorem (Symon 1971; Marion and Thornton 1995;
Goldstein 1980)
where E k = mv 2 /2 is the kinetic energy of the particle (m and v are the particle’s
mass and speed, respectively). By combining (1.5.4) with (1.5.5), we have:
The sum on both sides represents the total mechanical energy of the particle.
Relation (1.5.6), then, expresses the principle of conservation of mechanical energy;
namely, the total mechanical energy of a particle moving inside a conservative force
field assumes a constant value during the motion of the particle.
Example We consider the electrostatic Coulomb field due to a point charge Q located
at the origin O of our coordinate system (see Fig. 1.9). Let q be a test charge at a field
point with position vector r = r r̂, where r is the distance of q from O and where r̂ is
the unit vector in the direction of r [in this problem it is convenient to use spherical
coordinates (r, θ , ϕ)].
kq Q
F= r̂
r2
q dr
•
a b
r
ra rb
r̂
•
O
Fig. 1.9 A test charge q inside the Coulomb field produced by a point charge Q (not shown) located
at O
irrotational force field will also be conservative. Indeed, putting F(r ) = kq Q/r 2 ,
we write
F(r ) −
→ F(r ) − →
F = F(r )r̂ = r ⇒ F · dr = r · dr .
r r
But,
−
→ 1 1
r · dr = d(r · r ) = d(r 2 ) = r dr,
2 2
−
→
so that F · d r = F(r )dr . Thus, the work produced during the motion of q from a
field point a to a field point b is
b
−
→ b
1 1
Wab = F · dr = F(r )dr = kq Q − .
a a ra rb
This expression allows us to define the potential energy U(r) of q at a given field
point by using (1.5.4): Wab = Ua −Ub . As is easy to see,
kq Q
U (r ) = (+const.).
r
We notice that
∂U kq Q
−∇U = − r̂ = 2 r̂ = F.
∂r r
The total mechanical energy of the charge q remains fixed during the motion of
the charge inside the field, and is equal to
16 1 Integrability on the Plane and in Space
E = E k + U (r ) = mv 2 /2 + kq Q/r = const.
Comment In the beginning of this section we stated that the conservative force field
F is static. Indeed, a time-dependent force cannot be conservative! This is explained
in Appendix A.
References
w
= f (z) + ε(z, z) with lim ε(z, z) = 0 (2.1.2)
z z→0
w f (z + z) − f (z)
f (z) = lim = lim (2.1.3)
z→0 z z→0 z
Theorem Consider a complex function f (z) of the form (2.1.1), continuous at every
point z ≡ (x, y) of a domain G of the complex plane. The real functions u(x, y) and v(x,
y) are differentiable at every point of G and, moreover, their partial derivatives with
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 17
C. J. Papachristou, Aspects of Integrability of Differential Systems and Fields,
SpringerBriefs in Physics, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35002-4_2
18 2 Integrability on the Complex Plane
respect to x and y are continuous functions in G. Then, the function f(z) is analytic in
the domain G if and only if the following system of PDEs is satisfied (Markushevich
1983; Ahlfors 1979; Churchill and Brown 1990):
∂u ∂v ∂u ∂v
= , =− (2.1.4)
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂x
∂φ ∂φ ∂ 2φ ∂ 2φ ∂ 2φ
≡ φx , ≡ φy , ≡ φxx , ≡ φyy , ≡ φxy , etc.
∂x ∂y ∂x2 ∂y2 ∂x∂y
ux = vy , uy = −vx (2.1.4´)
The derivative of the function (2.1.1) may now be expressed in the following
alternate forms:
Comments
1. Relations (2.1.4) allow us to find v when we know u, and vice versa. Let us put
ux = P, uy = Q, so that {vx = −Q, vy = P}. The integrability (compatibility)
condition of this system for solution for v, for a given u, is
Similarly, the integrability condition of system (2.1.4) for solution for u, for a
given v, is vxx + vyy = 0. We notice that both the real and the imaginary part of an
analytic function are harmonic functions, i.e., they satisfy the Laplace equation
By using relations (2.1.7) we can express u(x, y) and v(x, y), thus also the sum w
= u + iv, as functions of z and z*. The real Cauchy–Riemann relations (2.1.4),
2.1 Analytic Functions 19
then, are rewritten in the form of a single complex equation (Markushevich 1983;
Ahlfors 1979; Churchill and Brown 1990)
∂w/∂z ∗ = 0 (2.1.8)
One way to interpret this result is the following: The analytic function (2.1.1) is
literally a function of the complex variable z = x + iy, not just some complex
function of two real variables x and y!
Examples
1. We seek an analytic function of the form (2.1.1), with v(x, y) = xy. Note first
that v satisfies the PDE (2.1.6): vxx + vyy = 0 (harmonic function). Thus, the
integrability condition of the system (2.1.4) for solution for u is satisfied. The
system is written
u = x2 /2 + ϕ(y).
so that
u = x2 − y2 /2 + C.
Exercise Using relations (2.1.7), show that w = f (z) = z2 /2, thus verifying condition
(2.1.8).
2. Consider the function w = f (z) = |z|2 defined on the entire complex plane. Here,
u(x, y) = x 2 + y2 , v(x, y) = 0. As is easy to verify, the Cauchy–Riemann relations
(2.1.4) are not satisfied anywhere on the plane, except at the single point z = 0
where (x, y) ≡ (0, 0). Alternatively, we may write w = zz*, so that ∂w/∂z* = z
= 0 (except at z = 0). We conclude that the given function is not analytic on the
complex plane.
20 2 Integrability on the Complex Plane
Let L be an oriented curve on the complex plane (Fig. 2.1) the points of which plane
are represented as z = x + iy ≡ (x, y). The points z of L are determined by some
parametric relation of the form
Also,
α β
f (z)dz = (· · · )dt = − (· · · )dt ⇒
−L β α
f (z)dz = − f (z)dz (2.2.3)
−L L
Examples
•A
x
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are few indeed, who, hearing it on any authority but his, would not
feel disposed to reject it, at once, as a grievous heresy. Yet such
was, unquestionably, the spirit, the word, and the practice of Jesus. It
was enough for him to know that the weight of human woe, which
called him forth on his errand of mercy, was lightened; and that the
spirit before darkened and bound down by the powers of evil, was
now brought out into glorious light and freedom. Most earnestly did
he declare this solemn principle of catholic communion; and most
distinctly did he reiterate it in a varied form. The simplest act of
kindness done to the commissioned of Christ, would, of itself,
constitute a certain claim to his divine favor. But, on the other hand,
the least wilful injury of one sent forth from him, would at once insure
the ruin of the perpetrator.
So idolatrous was the reference with which many of the Fathers and ancient theologians
were accustomed to regard the apostles, that they would not allow that these chosen ones
of Christ ever committed any sin whatever; at least, none after their calling to be disciples.
Accordingly, the most ridiculous attempts have been made to justify or excuse the faults and
errors of those apostles, who are mentioned in the New Testament as having committed
any act contrary to the received standards of right. Among other circumstances, even
Peter’s perjured denial of his Lord, has found stubborn defenders and apologists; and
among the saintly commentators of both Papist and Protestant faiths, have been found
some to stand up for the immaculate soundness of James and John, in this act of wicked
and foolish zeal. Ambrose of Milan, in commenting on this passage, must needs maintain
that their ferocity was in accordance with approved instances of a similar character in the
Old Testament. “Nec discipuli peccant,” says he, “qui legem sequuntur;” and he then refers
to the instance of extemporaneous vindictive justice in Phineas, as well as to that of Elijah,
which was quoted by the sons of Zebedee themselves. He argues, that, since the apostles
were indued with the same high privileges as the prophets, they were in this instance
abundantly justified in appealing to such authority for similar acts of vengeance. He
observes, moreover, that this presumption was still farther justified in them, by the name
which they had received from Jesus; “being ‘sons of thunder,’ they might fairly suppose that
fire would come down from heaven at their word.” But Lampe very properly remarks, that
the prophets were clearly moved to these acts of wrathful justice, by the Holy Spirit, and
thereby also, were justified in a vindictiveness, which might otherwise be pronounced cruel
and bloody. The evidence of this spirit-guidance, those old prophets had, in the
instantaneous fiery answer from heaven, to their denunciatory prayer; but on the other
hand, in this case, the words of Jesus in reply to the Sons of Thunder, show that they were
not actuated by a holy spirit, nor by the Holy Spirit, for he says to them, “Ye know not what
manner of spirit ye are of,”――which certainly implies that they were altogether mistaken in
supposing that the spirit and power of Elijah rested on them, to authorize such wide-wasting
and indiscriminate ruin of innocent and guilty,――women and children, as well as men,
inhabiting the village; and he rebukes and condemns their conduct for the very reason that it
was the result of an unholy and sinful spirit.
Yet, not only the Romish Ambrose, but also the Protestant Calvin, has, in his idolatrous
reverence for the infallibility of the apostles, (an idolatry hardly less unchristian than the
saint-worship against which he strove,) thought it necessary to condemn and rebuke
Maldonado, as guilty of a detestable presumption, in declaring the sons of Zebedee to have
been lifted up with a foolish arrogance. On the arguments by which Calvin justifies James
and John, Lampe well remarks, that the great reformer uses a truly Jesuitical weapon,
(propria vineta caedit Loyolita,) when he says that “they desired vengeance not for
themselves, but for Christ; and were not led into error by any fault, but merely by ignorance
of the spirit of the gospel and of Christ.” But was not this ignorance itself a sin, showing
itself thus in the very face of all the oft-repeated admonitions of Jesus against this bloody
spirit, even in his or any cause? and of all his inculcations of a universal rule of forbearance
and forgiveness?
John is not mentioned again in the gospel history, until near the
close of the Savior’s labors, when he was about to prepare his
twelve chosen ones, for the great change which awaited their
condition, by long and earnest instruction, and by prayer. In making
the preliminary arrangements for this final meeting, John was sent
along with Peter, to see that a place was provided for the
entertainment. After this commission had been satisfactorily
executed, they joined with Jesus and the rest of the twelve disciples
in the Paschal feast, each taking a high place at the board, and John
in particular reclining next to Jesus. As a testimony of the intimate
affection between them, it is recorded by this apostle himself in his
gospel, that during the feast he lay on Jesus’s breast,――a position
which, though very awkward, and even impossible, in the modern
style of conducting feasts in the sitting posture, was yet rendered
both easy and natural, in the ancient mode, both Oriental and
Roman, of reclining on couches around the table. Under these
circumstances, those sharing the same part of the couch, whose
feelings of affection led them most readily together,――such a
position as that described by John, would occur very naturally and
gracefully. It here, in connection with John’s own artless, but
expressive sentence, mentioning himself as the disciple whom Jesus
loved, presents to the least imaginative mind, a most beautifully
striking picture of the state of feeling between the young disciple and
his Lord,――showing how closely their spirits were drawn together,
in an affection of the most sacred and interesting character, far
surpassing the paternal and filial relation in the high and pure nature
of the feeling, because wholly removed from the mere animalities
and instincts that form and modify so much of all natural love. The
regard between these two beings was by no means essentially
dependent on any striking similarity of mind or feeling. John had very
little of that mild and gentle temperament which so decidedly
characterized the Redeemer;――he had none of that spirit of
meekness and forgiveness which Jesus so often and earnestly
inculcated; but a fierce, fiery, thundering zeal, arising from a
temperament, ardent alike in anger and in love. Nor was such a
character at all discordant with the generality of those for whom
Jesus seemed to feel a decided preference. There is no one among
the apostolic band, whether Galilean or Hellenistic, of whose
characters any definite idea is given, that does not seem to be
marked most decidedly by the fiercer and harsher traits. Yet like
those of all children of nature, the same hearts seem to glow, upon
occasion, as readily with affectionate as with wrathful feeling, both, in
many instances, combining in their affection for Jesus. The whole
gospel record, as far as the twelve disciples are concerned, is a
most satisfactory comment on the characteristics ascribed by
Josephus to the whole Galilean race,――“ardent and fierce.” And
this was the very temperament which recommended them before all
men in the world, for the great work of laying the deep foundations of
the Christian faith, amid opposition, hatred, confusion, and blood.
And among these wild, but ardent dispositions, did even the mild
spirit of the Redeemer find much that was congenial to its frame, as
well as its purposes; for in them, his searching eye recognized
faculties which, turned from the base ends of worldly strife and low,
brawling contest, might be exalted, by a mere modification, and not
eradication, to the great works of divine benevolence. The same
temperament that once led the ardent Galileans into selfish quarrels,
under the regenerating influences of a holy spirit, might be trained to
a high devoted self-sacrifice for the good of others; and the valor
which once led them to disregard danger and death in spiteful
enmity, could, after an assimilation to the spirit of Jesus, be made
equally energetic in the dangerous labors of the cause of universal
love. Such is most clearly the spirit of the Galilean disciples, as far
as any character can be recognized in the brief, artless sketches,
incidentally given of them in the New Testament history. Nor is there
any good reason to mark John as an exception to these harsher
attributes. The idea, now so very common, of his softness and
amiability, seems to have grown almost entirely out of the
circumstance, that he was “the disciple whom Jesus loved;” as if the
high spirit of the Redeemer could feel no sympathy with such traits
as bravery, fierce energy, or even aspiring ambition. Tempted
originally by the great source of evil, yet without sin, he himself knew
by what spiritual revolutions the impulses which once led only to evil,
could be made the guides to truth and love, and could see, even in
the worst manifestations of that fiery ardor, the disguised germ of a
holy zeal, which, under his long, anxious, prayerful care and
cultivation, would become a tree of life, bringing forth fruits of good
for nations. Even in these low, depraved mortals, therefore, he could
find much to love,――nor is the circumstance of his affectionate
regard, in itself, any proof that John was deficient in the most striking
characteristics of his countrymen; and that he was not so, there is
proof positive and unquestionable in those details of his own and his
brother’s conduct, already given.
Lampe quotes on this point Vitringa, (Sacred Observations, I. iii. 7,) Suicer, (Church
Thesaurus voc. στυλος,) and Gataker, (Cinnus, ii. 20.) He refers also to Jerome,
commenting on Galatians ii. 9; who there alludes to the fact that John, one of the “pillars,” in
his Revelation, introduces the Savior speaking as above quoted. (Revelation iii. 12.)
With Peter and James.――The authority for this is Irenaeus, (A. D. 150‒170,) who says,
“Those apostles who were with James, permitted the Gentiles indeed to act freely, leaving
us to the spirit of God. They themselves, too, knowing the same God, persevered in their
ancient observances. * * * Thus the apostles whom the Lord made witnesses of his whole
conduct and his whole teaching, (for every where are found standing together with him,
Peter, James and John,) religiously devoted themselves to the observance of the law,
which is by Moses, thus acknowledging both [the law and the spirit] to be from one and the
same God.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies.)
Fourteenth day of March.――This refers to the practice of observing the feast of the
resurrection of Christ, on the fourteenth day of March, corresponding with the passover of
the Jews,――a custom long kept up in the eastern churches, instead of always keeping it
on Sunday. The authority for the statement is found in two ancient writers; both of whom are
quoted by Eusebius. (Church History, V. 24.) He first quotes Polycrates, (towards the end of
the second century,) as writing to Victor, bishop of Rome, in defense of the adherence of the
eastern churches to the practice of their fathers, in keeping the passover, or Easter, on the
fourteenth day of the month, without regard to the day of the week on which it occurred,
though the great majority of the Christian churches throughout the world, by common
consent, always celebrated this resurrection feast on the Lord’s day, or Sunday. Polycrates,
in defense of the oriental practice of his flock and friends, so accordant with early Jewish
prejudices, quotes the example of the Apostle John, who, he says, died at Ephesus, where
he (Polycrates) was bishop. He says, that John, as well as his brother-apostle, Philip, and
Polycarp his disciple, “all observed Easter on the fourteenth day of the month, never varying
from that day, at all.” Eusebius (ibid.) quotes also Irenaeus, writing to the same bishop
Victor, against his attempt to force the eastern churches into the adoption of the practice of
the Roman church, in celebrating Easter always on a Sunday, instead of uniformly on the
fourteenth day of the month, so as to correspond with the Jewish passover. Irenaeus, in
defense of the old eastern custom, tells of the practice of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, a
disciple of John. Polycarp, coming to Rome in the days of bishop Anicetus, (A. D. 151‒160,)
though earnestly exhorted by that bishop to renounce the eastern mode of celebrating
Easter always on the fourteenth, like the Jewish passover, steadily refused to change;
giving as a reason, the fact that John, the disciple of Jesus, and others of the apostles,
whom he had intimately known, had always followed the eastern mode.
This latter authority, fairly derived from a person who had been the intimate friend of
John himself, may be pronounced entitled to the highest respect, and quite clearly
establishes this little circumstance, which is valuable only as showing John’s pertinacious
adherence to Jewish forms, to the end of his life.
Socrates, an ecclesiastical historian, (A. D. 439,) alludes to the circumstance, that those
who observed Easter on the fourteenth, referred to the authority of the Apostle John, as
received by tradition.
Nor were they alone; for as the Jewish historian, who was an eye-
witness of the sad events of those times, records, “many of the
respectable persons among the Jews, after the alarming attack of
Cestius, left the city, like passengers from a sinking ship.” And this
fruitless attack of the Romans, he considers to have been so
arranged by a divine decree, to make the final ruin fall with the more
certainty on the truly guilty.
Parthia.――The earliest trace of this story is in the writings of Augustin, (A. D. 398,) who
quotes the first epistle of John as “the epistle to the Parthians,” from which it appears that
this was a common name for that epistle, in the times of Augustin. Athanasius is also
quoted by Bede, as calling it by the same name. If he wrote to the Parthians in that familiar
way, it would seem probable that he had been among them, and many writers have
therefore adopted this view. Among these, the learned Mill (Prolegomena in New Testament
§ 150) expresses his opinion very fully, that John passed the greater part of his life among
the Parthians, and the believers near them. Lampe (Prolegomena to a Johannine Theology,
Lib. I. cap. iii. § 12, note) allows the probability of such a visit, but strives to fix its date long
before the destruction of Jerusalem; yet offers no good reason for such a notion.
India.――The story of the Jesuit missionaries is given by Baronius, (Annals 44. § 30.)
The story is, that letters from some of these missionaries, in 1555, give an account of their
finding such a tradition, among an East Indian nation, called the Bassoras, who told them
that the apostle John once preached the gospel in that region. No further particulars are
given; but this is enough to enable us to judge of the value of a story, dating fifteen
centuries from the event which it commemorates.