AND THE PURPOSE OF THE FOURTH GOSPEL

ii _ The thesis examines the relationship between John 20:30-31 and the purpose of the Fourth Gospel. It argues that the passage expresses a purpose which is reflected in both the structure and the content of the Gospel as a whole. This purpose is to convince the reader that faith in Jesus as the Christ, Son of God, can and indeed should be based on the signs as recorded in the Gospel. In order to achieve this purpose, the Gospel uses the following arguments: the reader is seeking salvation; salvation is attained through faith in Jesus; faith in Jesus can be based on his signs; even the reader who has not seen Jesus I signs himself can ''witness' ' them through the agency of the Gospel. The thesis demonstrates where and how the Gospel develops these arguments. The thesis is intended to contribute to the discussion of several issues which are central to Johannine studies. It examines an aspect o