Editorial: Faith and Love; Spirituality and Humility

This edition of Neotestamentica pays tribute to Dirk G. van der Merwe. A description of Van der Merwe's research and person appears in the first article, written by his friend and colleague at Unisa, Christo Lombaard. The article outlines Van der Merwe's unique contribution to NT studies, which focuses on the Gospel and Letters of John, but also considers other NT (and OT) literature. Perhaps most distinctive about Van der Merwe's work is his ability to do justice to the ancient content and context of NT texts while at the same time making these texts speak to contemporary matters of faith. Van der Merwe's work is governed by thoughtful contemplation of not only the South African context, but also the method and praxis of textual analysis. His hermeneutical and exegetical approach is deliberately text-imminent, but always with an eye on contemporary concerns. It seems inherently appropriate that Van der Merwe is also a scholar in the field of Spirituality, which in no small way contributes to his unique approach to the NT.

The remaining contributions are divided into two categories: (1) articles on Johannine literature; and (2) articles that are otherwise related to the work and person of Dirk G. van der Merwe. The first two contributions to the former category underscore the Johannine focus on love, which corresponds well with Van der Merwe's loving nature and person. The first is an article by Van der Merwe's doctoral supervisor, Jan van der Watt, who reconsiders the interpretation of the pericope in John 13 about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. He finds that the foot-washing story of John 13 does not emphasise humble service as such, but rather "the nature of intense love." Naturally, such intense love would also include humble acts in service of others.

Van der Merwe was the doctoral supervisor of the next contributor, Sean Seongik Kim, who contemplates the theological reason behind the Fourth Evangelist's choice to place Jesus' call to Peter at the end of his Gospel. Why does John not feature this call narrative closer to the beginning of his Gospel, like the Synoptics? After considering a number of relevant Johannine texts, but focusing on John 21:1–19, Kim concludes that this particular placement of the call narrative communicates the theological message that Peter's ability to follow Jesus derives not from his own loyalty, but rather from the love of Jesus. This love, in turn, originates from the heavenly Father.

Compared to the Synoptic Gospels, John is distinctive in its meagre references to demons and its lack of references to exorcism. André van Oudtshoorn makes sense of this peculiarity by taking a closer look at the role of the devil in John's Gospel. Consideration of relevant Johannine texts leads Van Oudtshoorn to find that John substituted the demons of the Synoptics with a singular, mighty, compound figure, namely the devil. Unlike Jesus, who is portrayed as the truth and the life, the devil lies, murders and brings death. Jesus challenges the devil's power and authority, finally defeating him at the cross. According to Van Oudtshoorn, "John's Gospel omits the particular encounters between Jesus and demons because John wishes to focus the attention of his readers on the cross as the pivotal event where evil, as a powerful cosmic reality, was confronted and defeated." Like Van der Merwe's approach to the NT, John's perspective is anything but secular. To the contrary, it is focused on the cross.

Moving to the Johannine Letters, Richard K. Min focuses on 1 John 3:9. The inherent circularity of the logic behind this text requires explanation, which is what Min attempts. The text is interpreted as an expression of the tension experienced by all believers between "already" and "not yet." Accordingly, the simultaneous sinless and sinful natures of believers should be understood as forming part of this larger tension. Both Min's conscious consideration of exegetical method and his focus on the life of believers are reminiscent of Van der Merwe's approach to the NT.

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