John's Gospel and seven days of creation?

[Seamus_Sully]

Michael Barber’s Coming Soon says that John’s first chapters has seven days. He says that this is a reminder of the days of creation. (St. John’s Gospel)

I am enjoying his book for the second time. I like his book.

When he explains the seven days, he does not mention any saints, other authors or a Church teaching.

Is his teaching so traditional that he does not need to mention others?

Is it totally original with him?

Thanks!!!

 

[NotWorthy]

The Seven Days of (the New) Creation are commonly taught, but I don’t know how early in the Church the link was made.

The beginning of John’s Gospel certainly hearkens one back to Genesis.

“In the Beginning…” repeats the opening lines.
We see the same symbols "light, darkness, life.

And on the 7th day, what do we have? A wedding.

But to answer your question, I believe Michael Barber’s book, “Coming Soon” is very sound theologically. I, too, have enjoyed the book and am intending to read it again this summer along with another Revelation Bible Study.

 

[scaron]

Pretty much comes right from John:

Day 1 (John 1:19)
Levites come to John the Baptist and ask him who he is. “Not the Christ” he says

Day 2 (John 1:29 starts “The Next Day …”)
John sees Jesus the 1st time, “*Ecce Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi *…”

Day 3 (John 1:35 starts “The Next Day again …”)
John loses two of his disciples (Andrew and John the Evangelist) to Jesus. “Come and see…” They take Him to Peter, “You shall be called Cephas”

Day 4 (John 1:43 starts “The Next Day …”)
They leave for Galilee. Calling of Phillip and Nathaniel “Behold! an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile”

Day 5 & 6
walking toward Galilee - specifically Cana, a three-day journey of about 40 miles. No specific mention in John of these days.

Day 7 (John 2:1 starts “On the third day …”
The wedding feast of Cana, and Our Lord’s first miracle. His hour has come.

 

[scaron]

There is not a lot of parallel to the days of creation in the day-by-day sense - especially as Our Lord begins his ministry on the 7th day, when God rested from His labors. But it is a seven day period, and clearly John itemizes this for the reason of recalling Genesis.

All is symbolism in John. Every word of his Gospel is carefully chosen, even, and maybe especially, the small words and phrases. Nothing is by accident. Synoptics would have said (and do say, where there are parallels) Jesus was baptized, Jesus retired to pray all night, Jesus selected His disciples, Jesus went into Galilee …

Only John is careful to say, “this day, and the next day, and the next day, on the third day”. Clearly no accident.

 

[NotWorthy]

There is not a lot of parallel to the days of creation in the day-by-day sense - especially as Our Lord begins his ministry on the 7th day, when God rested from His labors. But it is a seven day period, and clearly John itemizes this for the reason of recalling Genesis.

All is symbolism in John. Every word of his Gospel is carefully chosen, even, and maybe especially, the small words and phrases. Nothing is by accident. Synoptics would have said (and do say, where there are parallels) Jesus was baptized, Jesus retired to pray all night, Jesus selected His disciples, Jesus went into Galilee …

Only John is careful to say, “this day, and the next day, and the next day, on the third day”. Clearly no accident.

Yes, there are no accidents or coincidences in John.

I haven’t checked this out, but while listening to a bible study on John, the speaker said that the entire Gospel takes place during 7 sets of 7 days.