<P> C.K. Barrett, and later Raymond E. Brown, suggested that a tradition developed around the "Johannine Community", and that this tradition gave rise to the gospel . The discovery of a large number of papyrus fragments of manuscripts with Johannine themes has led more scholars to recognize that the texts were among the most influential in the early Church . </P> <P> The discourses contained with this gospel seem to be concerned with issues of the church--synagogue debate at the time of composition . It is notable that in John, the community appears to define itself primarily in contrast to Judaism, rather than as part of a wider Christian community . Though Christianity started as a movement within Judaism, it gradually separated from Judaism because of mutual opposition between the two religions . </P> <P> The Gospel of John can be divided into four sections: a prologue (1: 1--18), a Book of Signs (1: 19--12: 50), a Book of Glory (13: 1--20: 31), and an epilogue (21). The structure is highly schematic: there are seven "signs" culminating in the raising of Lazarus (foreshadowing the resurrection of Jesus), and seven "I am" sayings and discourses, culminating in Thomas's proclamation of Jesus as "my lord and my God"--the same title (dominus et deus) claimed by Roman Emperor Domitian . </P> <P> Jesus is placed in his cosmic setting as the Logos made flesh who reveals God and gives salvation to believers; John the Baptist, Andrew, and Nathanael bear witness to him as the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the Christ . </P>

How many chapters does the gospel of john have