John 9:1-14 Jesus spits

A miracle story

Chapter 9 begins with a sign. However, to get to that point we place Jesus and disciples in a context that does not flow from the previous chapter. Commentators have noted the jump in sequencing, particularly because previously Jesus had fled the temple in fear of his life, but now he encounters a blind beggar, probably within the vicinity of the temple. Similarly we have not encountered the disciples since chapter 6, but now they have joined him. Sanders and Mastin suggest such that “John is more concerned with the theological development of his story than the verisimilitude of its details.”

Such theological development is an issue explored by Dodd who argues that trying to synchronise the chapters would disrupt the flow and continuity of the story in its context. Dodd writes that “10:19-21, similar as it is to parts of 7 and 8, seems to be anchored in its present place by the reference to the healing of the blind, which would be senseless unless 9:1-7 had preceded it. It would indeed be quite agreeable to the Johannine method to regard this back reference as designed to clamp the whole of 9:1 – 10:21 into a unity…a sequence of narrative, dialogue and monologue.”

As such we begin to understand that the story sits within a broad theological framework which is intended to develop an understanding about who Jesus was, namely the light of the world. Sanders and Mastin note that although the scene opens with “characteristic abruptness and quite without circumstantial detail” it is nonetheless “”dovetailed into the preceding episode with which it is closely united by the common theme of the encounter between the light and the darkness.”

And indeed, very quickly in this passage we have Jesus reinforcing this message in the context of what appears to be a “rabbinic aphorism”.

Having re-established this theme, we enter into a chapter which is heavy with irony, contrasting the growing faith of a new disciple with the growing blindness of the church authorities.

Romans 5: 12-21 Tangled Theology

Introduction
When writing about Paul, the presenting story is often not the whole story. Too often, we approach biblical text and tune in to the story that makes sense to us. But Paul’s writing does not allow this. His letters are not simply narrative accounts of the purpose or function of Christ’s presence in the world, instead, his text is potent theology, dense, but with enormous gaps, logical, but inconsistent, linear, but tangled.

The purpose of this essay was to explore the passage of Romans 5:12-21, with particular reference to Paul’s understanding of sin. However, of course, it’s not that simple. How do you arrange an essay to cover the most salient points of this area, when other issues, such as the relation of sin and the law, or the absence of Eve, or the concepts of space and time, keep intruding into the discourse?

The solution is to break the text into distinct parts, all the while acknowledging that such an approach risks separating ideas that are in some way inseparable.

The first part will cover the text and commentary with a “linear approach”. That is, it will discuss the history and context of the text, and approach the text in a form that follows the pattern: A happened, B happened and C is the result.

Paul’s context as a first century Jewish writer will be explored, particularly those underlying influences in his social context which clearly had impact on the way he wrote and thought. Following this, (with the assistance of a number of commentators whose work fits within a linear framework), the primary notions of Adam, sin and its effect and Christ will be canvassed.

The second part will deal with the tangle of theology and interpretation that Paul’s approach evinces. It is in this chapter that the gaps, the questions and the limitations of the linear approach become more apparent. As such, understandings of sin and grace become more amorphous and less stable and the Adam/Christ illustration invites us into paradox.

The third part will conclude the essay, but in the end provides no conclusion at all. Instead, it will stay within the paradox of the reality of those who as contingent creatures in history, name themselves Christian.

Galatians 4:15-5:1 A Pregnant Pause

Introduction
While acknowledging that this is not normally treated as one pericope, v. 15 introduces a sequence of images, which allows Paul to claim a deeply intimate kinship connection with the Galatians. These images which centre mainly on the images of maternity, tie the passages together.

Paul’s claim of kinship underwrites his appeal to the Galatians to remain, like him, a child born into freedom through Christ. The theological key is that that the death and resurrection of Jesus had created a new epoch for humanity which was based on faith and grace. His passionate appeal to the Galatians is that they should not renounce this birthright.

John 1:14 in the light of ‘new physics’

(For some reason I had posted an incomplete version of this paper - the complete one will be up soon.