JehovahsWitness wrote: My point is to suggest that TDWJL was Lazarus has the writer naming him and then resorting to the nameless title having earlier named him, which is illogical and inconsistent.
Actually, I believe it is logical and consistent.
If Lazarus and TDWJL were at the same place and at the same time and presented as if they were different people, then it would be illogical and inconsistent. Then it wouldn’t make sense for them to be the same person.
This is the case with the theory that Mary Magdalene is TDWJL and the author of the fourth gospel. They both went to the tomb, so it’s not logical for them to be the same person.
Jhn 20:1-2 The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
In the case of Lazarus and TDWJL, the last mention of Lazarus is John 12:17.
Jhn 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
The first mention of TDWJL is John 13:23.
Jhn 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Why was not TDWJL ever mentioned prior to this? Why was not Lazarus ever mentioned after John 12:17? Is there any possible reason for the author to change from referring to Lazarus by his name to TDWJL?
We know the author of the fourth gospel is TDWJL.
[Jhn 21:24 KJV] 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.We also know the author wanted to remain anonymous. So, a reason it was changed from his real name, Lazarus, to his code name, TDWJL, is so he can remain anonymous as an author.
I think an additional reason is if Lazarus was explicit in being the author, his testimony would not carry as much weight. Lazarus of Bethany is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Either he is an insignificant character or there is a conspiracy to remove him from any text. By remaining anonymous, people can easily attach a person of more weight as being TDWJL.
https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=958773#p958773