what is the significance of john’s prologue?
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 7. However nowhere is the importance of the word more accurately shown than when John details its significance in incarnation. 8. It is a masterful bridge word to speak to both the Jewish and Greek cultures. John’s intention that mankind might believe in Jesus as the light of the world fuels the strength of his writing, and leads him to declaring the significance of Christ in the Prologue so “that by believing we may have life in his name” (3:16). What does this prologue tell us about Jesus? ( Log Out / The final way in which John declares the importance of Christ through the Prologue is via his determination t fulfil the purpose behind is preaching, with this of course being to prepare the way for the lord. Now this story is given a new dimension. The prologue functions, I believe, as an “interpretive window” for the entire Gospel. John ends his prologue by making it clear that Jesus’ presence on earth means good news for everyone, for all time. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Mother (this time, Mother Marie Andre) is gathering us together each day to pray – as a community – the Prologue of St. John’s Gospel. The writing is very poetic. Dr. Sproul parallels the introduction of the book of John as being an echo of what was in Genesis chapter 1. The prologue of the Gospel of John corresponds to the process of creation, also called evolution, of the Indian tradition. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And so, once again Rev. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16. The prologue to John’s Gospel has always been foundational to traditional Christian theology. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The Prologue of John's Gospel. To denote the importance of the word in creation John writes “εν αρχή γὐ ό λογος” meaning “In the beginning was the word” with the emphasis here being placed on the definite presence of the word, not the theoretical or spiritual presence. Sermon Text: John 1:1-18. Prologue (John 1:1-18) Some have thought that the Prologue to the Fourth Gospel was composed separately by someone other than the Evangelist. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. As the Prologue progresses we see the importance of Christ in creation, in revelation, in incarnation, then back to his significance in revelation. He was in the beginning with God. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. John means us to read the rest of his work with the foundational understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ, as presented in these verses, clearly in mind. There were however, as mentioned, various meanings and understandings of the λογος yet its importance in the spiritual and physical realms has never been questioned. This develops the importance of Christ significantly and John’s choice of words reinforces this idea. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. John’s Gospel wanted to introduce non-Christians to the true God, to know, believe in, and accept Him (20:31). Read an overview of the symbolism in the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John weds theology to poetry. It belongs to Jewish thought and nothing contradicts a much earlier dating than is usually given. Analysis This tale is the funniest Chaucer ever wrote and has been popular with readers of humorous literature throughout the ages. Whoever would know Jesus Christ should know the true meaning of λόγοςin John’s 1 Joel B. This Involution is the inner journey of the spiritual pilgrim back to its origin through higher planes of consciousness. It is the logos (word) in John’s prologue that finds expression and fulfillment (becoming flesh, manifested) in Jesus of Nazareth, who was born to … For the first time in the prologue, John declares who the Word is - … but in grander and more elevated style” by Robinson, it clearly exudes the importance of Christ through the evangelist’s use of λογος ( logos) who Beasley Murray describes as “the redeemer who descended into the lower world for man to follow him to god’s higher world”. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” –, The Lord is the Light; In my fleshly body as Prana (the vital life) pulsates –, The Lord dispels darkness; And within radiates the pure rays of His dazzling light –, The Lord is the Light; In my fleshly body as Prana pulsates –, He Descended From Heaven and Filled Me With Grace –. The Literary Character of the Prologue.Whereas Mark begins his account of Jesus with the work of John the Baptist (henceforth abbreviated JBap) and the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:1-12), and Matthew and Luke with his conception and birth from a virgin (Matt 1-2; Luke 1-2), John opens his work with a Prologue (John 1:1-18), tracing the story of Jesus to the very bosom of God (1:1). What is this word “close” to God? [1] Dr. Sproul introduces us to the Gospel of John and immediately launches into a discussion of the meaning behind the Logos. It must be said therefore that John’s identification of Jesus as the word, after progressing through the words importance in creation, in incarnation and in revelation, provides the reader with an insight into the importance of Christ, building upon the use of the λόγος and reaffirming Christ as God incarnate. This is symbolized in the Gospel by Jesus (the Light coming from heaven – John 1:9), living among us (becoming Flesh – John 1:14), and returning to the Father in heaven (Now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. Yet the importance of the word in revelation is also made clear with John declaring absolutely that Jesus “is the means whereby man understands himself in the world” according to Bultman. The prologue takes us back into eternity and highlights all the major themes you’ll encounter reading through John. To conclude it is clear to see that the significance of Christ is apparent throughout the prologue of John’s gospel. In a play, the prologue is often a dramatic recitation given by the narrator that will help the audience know what to expect in the story about to unfold before them. The witness of John the Baptist and his disciples, 1:19-51 The reference to John the Baptist roots the Prologue in the historical present, reinforcing the fact that the Incarnation has accomplished nothing less than to connect the eternal God with concrete people and events in human life and history that are immediately recognizable and significant to his audience.