Most Scripture scholars today would say that there were four different "writers" and, while the Apostle John may have had some relationship to them and to their communities, he was not one of the writers.
One possible scenario is this:
- Gospel of John: There were two writers, both of them members of the Beloved Disciple's community. One writer was the original author. Another writer added other traditional material, and arranged the Gospel in the form in which we have it today.
- Three Letters of John: The writer of these letters was another member of the Beloved Disciple's community. He wrote after the time when the Gospel was written.
- Book of Revelation: This was written be a person named John who is otherwise unknown. ("John" was a common name among Christians of that era.) He also was under the influence of the Beloved Disciple.
Whatever actually happened, the process was guided by the Holy Spirit, and these books are treasured as inspired writings.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw