Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
In this thesis, I shall be examining whether the creation hermeneutic is a valid hermeneutic for understanding the Gospel of John. In other words, is it a legitimate and a valid perspective with which to understand the Fourth Gospel. Can the Gospel be specifically understood from a creation perspective? It must be mentioned here that the creation perspective is only one perspective (point of view) with which to understand the Gospel. It is not the only perspective (point of view) that may be valid in understanding the Gospel. Furthermore it must be mentioned that very little literature is available on this specific topic ( the creation theme in the fourth Gospel). I therefore had to be creative and innovative in developing this different point of view regarding the Gospel. What I did wish to discover however is whether it is a valid point of view which will assist the reader in developing a better understanding of the Gospel. The question to be asked is whether it is a valid exegetical method with which to understand the Gospel. In answering the questions above, I applied a specific hermeneutic (method of interpretation) to the
analysis of these problems. I applied specifically the comparative-literary methods aiming at a theological systematization of the creation theme. This comparative-literary method not only involved analysing the Gospel of John against the background of the creation story told in Genesis, but also involved an analysis of the Gospel within its socio-cultural and political-religious context.