I hope I didn’t come across as abrupt or wanting to know better. I’m sorry if I did. I have only just discovered this site. I have for a long time read the reflections on the daily readings on the LivingSpace site. Also very beautiful reflections – with much substance – Just like yours. Between the two I would find it hard to choose.

The reason why I tend to react to that particular verse is that for years I have had devout Christian colleagues who take this statement literally: if you don’t believe in Christ you ARE condemned.

The inevitable question arises: Are, therefore, ALL our ancestors condemned; ALL those who live today, but because of geographical inaccessibility they have not yet been introduced to Christ’s saving work? Would a fair and loving God willy-nilly condemn them to eternal suffering?

That’s why the Catholic Church today says that everyone who strives to love, is following in Christ’s footsteps – without being aware that he/she is doing it.

And where the Church through the ages has officially proclaimed saints to be with God, the Church has never officially proclaimed anyone to be definitely in Hell. Unfortunately, many of our Christian brothers and sisters tend to do just that – based on this verse and similar ones.

I am looking forward to your next reflection and many others to come. This will become my bed-time reading.

Be blessed for all that you do!

Monika (Cape Town)

Mark, I appreciate your thought-provoking question. Speaking for myself, I think that those who wished to leave the Church would have done so regardless of the existence of the Gospel of John, since there are countless Biblical passages that can be taken out of context to justify myriad incorrect world views. (I did a Google search for Protestant favorite passages, and the first hit was a blog post with five passages . . . none of which were from John.) And, really, I think our faith would be poorer if we didn’t have the Gospel of John. It’s like how outside forces have twisted what the Christmas season is about, but that doesn’t diminish the beauty and holiness of that holiday; the Gospel of John has some wonderful soul-enriching elements, despite how others might misinterpret its meaning.

As always, I love your view on scripture, it is very clear and easy to understand.

I guess my question to you today is do you ever wonder? Do you ever wonder what it would be like if the Gospel of John was never written? The feeling I’m getting from today’s reflection is it may have created more division than unity.

Thoughts?

Mark

I did a 3-year theology diploma with very highly qualified theologians and would like to comment on this verse. (I am mentioning that I have some official training simply to indicate that this is not my personal opinion.)

The answer to who Christ is: He is God the Son. The answer to who God is: eternal, pure, all-embracing LOVE. Therefore, Christ is pure, eternal, all-embracing LOVE. Thus “I am the Way, the Truth and the Light” means everybody who strives to love
unconditionally, not heeding his/her own well-being, IS dimly on the correct Way.
That means that anyone who in the depth of his/her heart strives to find the truth about life, lives out selflessly the insights gained (the connection between faith and works) is, spiritually, on his/her way to finding and emulating Christ. The road may, of course, be ‘longer and windier’ because the person does not have the aid of Bible, sacraments, etc. But God in His great mercy, and knowing the depths of such a seeker’s soul , would not condemn him/her.