The main crisis that affected the John group was the question of whether or not Jesus was human. John’s group believed that he was, and they thought it offensive that other’s believed that he wasn’t. This was mainly because it would mean he didn’t actually die on the cross (because if Jesus was divine, he could not have a body, and therefore couldn’t die) which would make his “death” a show. John’s letters contain a lot of evidence informing us about this controversy. The author makes it a point to mention the “deceivers” and “antichrists” who “refuse to believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh”.

The letters show that the Johannine group used to be far less divided until this argument occurred, and that there were enough people who disagreed to create a whole new community. They also show that the author is frustrated with this group for going out and spreading the wrong message, and for insinuating that Jesus did not actually die. The author makes a point to bring up the flesh and blood of Jesus multiple times in his letters, perhaps for that very reason. Much of what we can understand from the letters is speculation, but the main schism between the two groups is known to be true.