Abstract

Social network analysis is applied heuristically to understand how the Epistles of John attempt not only to promote their vision of the community’s identity and theology, but also to strengthen their own position in the Johannine social network and weaken the position of its competitors. Insistence on social distance from competing teachings is central to 1 and 2 John, while 3 John is occasioned by the Johannine School being marginalized by an assembly. The errands of these letters can be described in terms of network analysis as attempts to weaken certain social ties and strengthen others to allow the Johannine School more uncontested dispersion of information in the assemblies of the network.