When I was a child, I would always turn on my night light before going to bed. I was afraid of the dark and my night light was my savior in the night. In the Gospel of John, the theme of light is introduced in the first chapter. This theme of light is portrayed through Jesus as the light of the world. John mentions that he was sent from God to testify this light, but the true light is not John. God has shed his light, Jesus Christ, on the world, for this true light will give us salvation and enlighten us.
Jesus is the light of the world, but not any light. He is the true light, for he is one with the Father. In the first chapter of John, John said “he was not the light, but came to testify the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming in the world”(John 1:8-9). Jesus was sent by God to save us. Jesus was not God’s messenger, but God’s one and only son. Jesus said in John 8:12, “‘ I am the light of the world-’”. In a commentary, I read light is usually referred to God( 48 The New Collegeville Bible Commentary). Not only does the commentary say Jesus has a connecti...
There is a distinct symbolism of light in this novel. While growing up Equality 7-2521 wanted to be assigned to the House of Scholars, but instead was made a street sweeper. While doing his daily job he discovers a tunnel from the Unmentionable times. He ran away to his secret tunnel every night where he rediscovers the light bulb. His invention represents his curiosity and the beginning of his individualism. Light is used again when giving Liberty 5-3000 a private name of “The Golden One” and his final name “Prometheus” at the end of the novel. Prometheus is the Greek God that brought fire to men from the Gods. Equality 7-2521 feels the name fitting for himself because of his rediscovery of the light bulb.
By the end of the narrative Tom has progressed from a character quieted by his hard times from WW2 to a man capable of feeling compassion and love for the people closest to his heart, like Isabel and Lucy. This shows the importance of setting reflecting themes in the text. Light, literally and metaphorically, is core to the story. The revolving light of Janus highlights Tom’s shift into manhood by emphasising his core morals and values in order to distinguish between right and wrong just like the purpose of a lighthouse; guiding the way from hazardous objects into the safety of the harbour.
In the book “The Art of Biblical Narrative” by Robert Alter, there is one chapter (Chapter 3) titled “Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention” (Alter 47). Alter describes several different stories (but similar in some ways) in the Old Testament that can be difficult to interpret in today’s culture. Alter describes how reading any book (more specifically the Bible), requires use of conventions, which he describes as “… an elaborate set of tacit agreements between artist and audience about the ordering of the art work is at all times the enabling context in which the complex communication of art occurs” (Alter 47). In other words, an agreement of how the writing is done; it can be pretty complex as well. He states that there are stories in the Bible that have the same stories of narrative, but there are different characters, they often are told several times in the Bible. Alter uses several of examples, like how patriarch is driven by famine; or where someone is found and is invited to eat with them, or a betrothal (engagement) near a well/body
The content of this painting represents a Christian worldview because of all the symbolism inside the piece. The most predominant image in this painting is the light house, which is also the focal point of the piece. The viewers eyes are first drawn t the clouds in the top right corner of the painter before following the ocean waves to the shore that lead to the light house. A light house has always been a symbol of guidance as it is a beacon that guides sailors safely back to shore. Kinkade uses the light house in this painting to symbolize the love of God. The light house is shining brightly in his picture even though it’s not dark yet. In the same way God will always be a light to those to wish to follow Him. God will always lead us back to him and be a guide for our live. He will make sure that we always survive temptations. As the light house guides the ships out of the storm, God will always guide his people to the promise land.
A novel about colonialism in Africa and a poem about darkness can have similar meanings? Yes, in fact Barbara Kingsolver's novel The Poisonwood Bible and Emily Dickinson's poem We Grow Accustomed to the Dark have very similar aspects when it comes to certain aspects. The Price family, specifically the Price women in Kingsolver's novel, show very similar feelings towards Kilanga as do the people about the dark in Dickinson's poem. Both writings mention that in order to overcome this obstacle, you must approach it in steps. In Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, Orleanna and the daughters become more accustomed to the lifestyle in the Congo, and going along with the writings of We Grow Accustomed to the Dark, upon arrival the Price women act as if Kilanga was the dark, but they will later take steps forward and eventually overcome the obstacles that they encounter; along the way they not only adapt to Kilanga, they will also begin to shift religious views.
The Gospel of John depicts Jesus not only as the son of God, but as the Word. The Word is God, thus Jesus is God in flesh. Jesus, the Word incarnate, was sent with a purpose, to shed light into the world. John 1:14 describes this light as the “grace and truth,” within Jesus. Yet, John 1:14, also depicted Jesus as a God, who “lived among us,” and through incarnate life showed the world “glory,” possible only through “a father’s only son.” John 1:14 functions by, one demonstrating Jesus as God (incarnate) and by two discussing the gifts only capable by Jesus. The christology reiterated within the quote, the belief of an incarnate God, echoes throughout the rest of the
John lived throughout the greatest time in human history. He lived during the time of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God incarnate on Earth. His Gospel thoroughly documents the teaching of God, the miracles He performed, and the ultimate sacrifice that He gave. John thoroughly describes how the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. By a thorough analyzation of the Nicodemus story, one can clearly see the necessity of Baptism and the need for the Holy Spirit in the Christian faith. Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Bread of life. We are invited to literally eat Jesus as the Eucharist and drink His blood as wine. Jesus is the light of the world that gives light to the man born blind when he gives him sight. Those that witnessed His divine testimony would certainly ascertain that Jesus is God. The son of God, the one that fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament prophecies as revealed in the Gospel of John. With John’s teaching, one can clearly see Jesus’ true identity as the New Adam and Universal Savior.
It is important for an individual to keep searching for the light because it is easy to get lost in the darkness of the world. ‘Where the Light is’ by Dan Bremnes is a Christian song that would mean a lot to a person who was raised in the Christian church. It would be difficult for a non-Christian to find meaning within the song. The lyrics are directed towards Christians who at a young age were taught to believe the messages of the bible and the church. The song is about searching for ‘the light’. This does not mean to literally find a light, but it means to find a place where you are happy; where you feel positive and joyful. The light helps with not being brought down by the darkness in the world, and finding positivity in a world full of negativity.
Psalm 115 does not have a documented writer and it is not even known when it was written. We do however, know that it was written in a time when there were not many Jews. Some estimate that it was before the exile when the Assyrians and the Babylonians took them away however it is not known exactly. Many believe that the Psalm was written during times when the church of God was in trouble and its enemies were creating a threat. The church during ths time did not complain about the situation it had found itself in but placed its confidence in God. By having confidence in God the Church came out with a triumph. In the Septuagint Psalm 114 and 115 are joined to create one complete Psalm.
I want to start with some of the things light symbolizes in the story and in life today. In Anthem, Equality 7-2521 even talks about how light is very precious. “We stole the candle from the Street Sweepers. We larder be sentenced to ten years in the Palace of Corrective Detention if it be discovered. But this matters not. It matters only that light is precious and we should not waste it to write when we need
Pain, suffering, hurt, and lies make up our daily lives. They consume us. They keep us captive. They beat us down until we think we can never get up. They make us depressed and anxious. They make us want to do horrible things to ourselves and others. Some of us know these pains and lies a little too well. But we no longer need to be consumed by them. There is hope.
For centuries now Christians have claimed to possess the special revelation of an omnipotent, loving Deity who is sovereign over all of His creation. This special revelation is in written form and is what has come to be known as The Bible which consists of two books. The first book is the Hebrew Scriptures, written by prophets in a time that was before Christ, and the second book is the New Testament, which was written by Apostles and disciples of the risen Lord after His ascension. It is well documented that Christians in the context of the early first century were used to viewing a set of writings as being not only authoritative, but divinely inspired. The fact that there were certain books out in the public that were written by followers of Jesus and recognized as being just as authoritative as the Hebrew Scriptures was never under debate. The disagreement between some groups of Christians and Gnostics centered on which exact group of books were divinely inspired and which were not. The debate also took place over the way we can know for sure what God would have us include in a book of divinely inspired writings. This ultimately led to the formation of the Biblical canon in the next centuries. Some may ask, “Isn’t Jesus really the only thing that we can and should call God’s Word?” and “Isn’t the Bible just a man made collection of writings all centered on the same thing, Jesus Christ?” This paper summarizes some of the evidences for the Old and New Testament canon’s accuracy in choosing God breathed, authoritative writings and then reflects on the wide ranging
Jesus was considered as one with God, the son of God and yet God himself too. His teachings
First I will give you a background of exegesis. Webster's New World Dictionary(1990), defines exegesis as, the interpretation of a word, passage, etc., esp. in the Bible. This definition is a worldly. To understand the true meaning and background I looked in John H. Hays book called, Biblical Exegesis, for the answer. He says that the term "exegesis" itself comes from the Greek word exegeomai which basically meant " to lead out of." When applied to texts, it denoted the " reading out" of the meaning. The noun, therefore, could refer to "interpretation" or " explanation." Thus whenever we read a text or hear a statement which we seek to understand and interpret, we are involved in exegesis.
Jesus Christ was the light that came to earth to brighten the lives of the people. He taught phenomenal and meaningful lessons that changed many hearts and caused people to accept Jesus as their Lord. Jesus Christ is the life of Christianity; the Word of God in flesh. His life, his ministry, and his crucifixion where prophesied long before he was born and Christians believe that they were all fulfilled. He had so much love for human kind that he came to earth to die for the sins of the people, so that their souls would be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible testifies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who taught memorable life lessons and performed astonishing miracles during his ministry.