Bible Study: 'Shining a light in the darkness.'

Joanna  Clegg is studying theology at Oxford under the tutelage of Alister McGrath. She is with The Times on work experience for the duration of the Lambeth Conference. I wanted her with us to keep us spiritually centred during what will inevitably be a stressful three weeks, and to help avoid a repetition of Lambeth 1998. Her first study this morning was radically helpful, looking at the Word, truth, darkness and light. We thought we would do St John's Gospel, to be in parallel with what the bishops are doing. Jo will also be taking videos and photographs for us at the conference. Do come and say hello at the media centre in Darwin.

Jo writes: Every morning we will be looking at a passage from John’s Gospel, to be consistent with the seven ‘Signs of the Way’ constructed for those clergy and lay people who wish to support the bishops attending Lambeth, who in turn are ‘Journeying with the Gospel of John through Lambeth’. So at least if we’re not on the same page, we’re confined to the same book of the bible. This morning we begin with The Prologue, John 1.1-14, and ask ‘What does this passage tell us about the identity of Jesus?’

Compared to the genealogies of Matthew and Luke, which go to great lengths to place Jesus within his earthly family, as a fulfilment of the Old Testament promises of a Messiah, an heir of David through Joseph’s line, and compared to Mark’s Gospel which refers to the prophecies of Isaiah, the first 16 verses of the Fourth Gospel do not even mention Jesus’ name. 

That is, it is clear from the prologue, from the word ‘go’ that this Gospel is not like the other three – it is a Gospel concerned with the very beginning of time (verse 1), the creation of the world (verse 3), the bigger picture (verse 4), the dichotomy of light and dark (verse 4-5).  The Evangelist introduces his Gospel by setting a philosophical premise that does not prioritise a historical recounting of the human life of Jesus.  It is abstract. We learn that this story is about a living Word (what’s that?), which existed with God before our world did, and which becomes flesh.  Before we know Jesus’ name, we know that he existed prior to his human incarnation; before he is called ‘Jesus’, he is called ‘Light’.

At the time of writing, a ‘word’ did not represent a single lexical unit, as ancient manuscripts did not have spaces dividing the text, so what would a first century Christian-convert have understood by ‘Word’ or ‘Logos’?  What did John intend when he referred to Jesus in this way?

Actually, the personification of ‘Word’ was pregnant with meaning, having a strong heritage in the Wisdom literature of the Bible (see Proverbs 8.22f.)  The Torah was the Word of God enshrined (see Psalm 119 for Israel’s relationship with the Law, which has come to have negative connotations, but was loved by this writer). Now God’s word is enshrined in a man (although this man continues the law, fulfils the law, upholds the law).

So, the Word is Light. 

What does that mean about the spoken word?  If we are made in God’s image, and when God speaks he creates, what does that mean for when we speak?  Obviously we don’t physically create by our word, but the power of words is a salient theme throughout the Bible.

Do we always mean what we say?  Word’s can seem to have a life of their own.  Think of the phrase ‘I love you’; or accusations; or promises. They infiltrate the listener, they go into peoples’ memories, they take root, they entreat a response, either outward or more often an inward feeling.

Isaiah 55.10-11; Ephesians 4.29; Proverbs 12.18

As our words come out of us, they cannot be unsaid, and yet they are still our responsibility, they can still hold us liable, and we will be made accountable (Matthew 12.36).   Like God’s Word from him is a part of him – He spoke and created - Jesus proceeded forth from the utterance of the Father to vivify.  For us, we have the option to breathe life with the words we say, to build up, or tear down.  But the Word as Light is also a means of exposure, shining a light in dark places, revealing truth or falsity.'

Comments

[Noni Beatt]

Thanks Joanna. Really enjoyed your bible study. It was good to be reminded of the 'power of the tongue' and the need to be filled with the word of God every day. Let's all strive to be those who encourage and build up, and speak His words of truth and love.
Noni

[Colonel Bain]

Aww..Ruth..a bit from New Mexico, USA and Melchizedekian Missionary Dom Augustine Bakers works!

If they only realize what De Melchizedekian Missionary Albino Luciani stated before his death.
"Its quite plain we administer to the mysteries and revelation found in christ. One being that Mary Magdalene wrote the book of John in preparation for our Lord"
( By permission)Thanks!
Giddup...

[Tim]

Good stuff. Thanks, Jo.

[Bishop of Ebbsfleet]

Thank you for the Bible Study. The Bible Study Group I am in is very good indeed - eight people from four continents and six countries.

Perhaps, with apologies to one or two of your commentators, it would be good if comments about the controversies of the moment were not allowed on the back of Joanna's contributions which have the potential to feed many of us and thus unite us in the love of God.

+ Andrew

(thank you Bishop, good to have you among us. Ruth)

[Rick Beekman]

Ruth;

Ms. Johanna gives us something to think about regarding God's true identity.

First God Is a Spirit (John 4 v 24) He is not Person # 1 in a "Trinity" A spirit cannot be seen and God is everywhere in His creation at the same time. It is commonly believed that Jesus Pre-existed when God spoke in Genesis 1 v 26; "Let US make man in our image". Jesus did not pre-exist Except in the mind of God who knows the End from the Beginning.

God knew before Adam And Eve failed in the Garden of Eden what was going to happen to mankind. He knew he would have to create a Redeemer for us. Romans 4 v 17; "......and quickenth the dead and calleth those things which were not..as though they were."

Like we sometimes do..God was counselling with himself in Genesis 1 v 26 when he stated "'Let US..."

The Bible teaches not only is there only ONE GOD and that He is a Spirit; that he also created himself in a Human Body.

I Timothy 3 v 16; "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh......"

Mary was truly his earthly Mother..but God was his "Father".
Luke 1 v 35; "And the Angel answered and said unto her (Mary) The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God." please take special note..Jesus was never called in the scriptures "God the Son" only the Son of God.

This was the beginning of Jesus as you just read not back in Genesis 1 v 26.
Galatians 4 v 4; "But when the fulness of the time was come..God sent forth his Son made of a woman..made under the law."

When one reads that last verse it becomes clear Jesus did not "Pre-exist" as commonly taught.

And just why did God create himself in a Human Body?
Several reasons; When Jesus was created he was both God and Man. His Fleshly body suffered pain and anguish like all humans do. As God his Spirit over ruled his weak flesh. This is why the Bible teaches he never sinned like all of us have done. He was our example to follow. He was humble..He was a brilliant teacher (Why not he was God). The main reason for God creating himself in a Human body (The "son") was to beome our blood sacrifice..our atonement for our sins.

Hebrews 9 v 12 & 22; "Neither by the blood of goats and calves by by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us. And almost all things are by the law putged with blood. and without the shedding of blood is no remission."

[KM]

Oh, how jolly sensible. It's a nice Bible study. Thanks, Jo.

[Fr Nick De Keyser SSC]

Good to know that you have someone with you to keep you spiritually centered and focussed on the Lord during what is bound to be a stressful time. Many thanks for your daily blogs from Canterbury - it is good to keep in touch with what is going on there. I was a priest in Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury for 12 years till I moved to Essex in 2003 and frequently popped in to the FiF centre at the Catholic Chaplaincy during the 1998 Lambeth Conference when I was also Chairman of FiF in the Diocese of Canterbury. Be assured of my prayers for you all.

[Jamie MacNab]

This touches lightly, but importantly, on the component of idealism inherent in the Christian view of the world(s). It's good theology, good philosophy and good psychology, too. It reminds us that there at least two worlds - the material and the spiritual. And it reminds us, too, that they both await new discoveries by us ; thus becoming more real to us.

[DavidCrawford]

The prologue lets us in on the identity of Christ who was and is and is to come.In the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word WAS God. That is why no one can come to the Father except through Christ. That is why there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. If salvation can be had apart from Christ and the resurrection then all you have is the new gospel according to Schori. The box is not to small but it requires the truth to hear it.If I am a Muslim or Hindu and do not acknowledge Christ for who he is I have already slipped into darkness and not light. Is it not interesting that in a Christian church neiter TEC or COE would affirm Christ as the only way to salvation

[Revd Andy Bawtree]

Nothing like a bit of old fashioned Bible study to keep you rooted and growing - trust The Times (albeit via a blog) to serve the common good and post this in cyber space for all to read and inwardly digest - please keep it up. Cheers or God bless you, as you please!