The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology
Among the most perplexing of John’s theological riddles is question of salvific universalism and particularity. John is both the greatest biblical source of <i>Christian universalism</i> and the greatest source of <i>Christian exclusivity</i>. After all, the Johannine Overtur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/2/204 |
| _version_ | 1797297154857893888 |
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| author | Paul N. Anderson |
| author_facet | Paul N. Anderson |
| author_sort | Paul N. Anderson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Among the most perplexing of John’s theological riddles is question of salvific universalism and particularity. John is both the greatest biblical source of <i>Christian universalism</i> and the greatest source of <i>Christian exclusivity</i>. After all, the Johannine Overture affirms universal access to the saving–revealing Light of Christ, declaring: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world!” (Jn 1:9). What else could this mean, other than to affirm that every person has saving access to the divine Light of Christ? And yet, Jesus also declares in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!” What could this mean, other than to assert that there is only one means of access to God, and that it involves saving belief in Jesus as the Christ? Sorting out the apparent contradictions within these tensions is the goal of the present essay. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:16:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a77fc7f5a49649aba53787d22fea326e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:16:12Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-a77fc7f5a49649aba53787d22fea326e2024-02-23T15:32:44ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-02-0115220410.3390/rel15020204The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative ChristologyPaul N. Anderson0School of Theology, George Fox University, Newberg, OR 97132, USAAmong the most perplexing of John’s theological riddles is question of salvific universalism and particularity. John is both the greatest biblical source of <i>Christian universalism</i> and the greatest source of <i>Christian exclusivity</i>. After all, the Johannine Overture affirms universal access to the saving–revealing Light of Christ, declaring: “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world!” (Jn 1:9). What else could this mean, other than to affirm that every person has saving access to the divine Light of Christ? And yet, Jesus also declares in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!” What could this mean, other than to assert that there is only one means of access to God, and that it involves saving belief in Jesus as the Christ? Sorting out the apparent contradictions within these tensions is the goal of the present essay.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/2/204salvationilluminationcontinuing revelationinclusivityexclusivitysupersessionism |
| spellingShingle | Paul N. Anderson The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology Religions salvation illumination continuing revelation inclusivity exclusivity supersessionism |
| title | The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology |
| title_full | The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology |
| title_fullStr | The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology |
| title_short | The Universal Light, or the Only Way to the Father? Universalism and Exclusivism in John’s Provocative Christology |
| title_sort | universal light or the only way to the father universalism and exclusivism in john s provocative christology |
| topic | salvation illumination continuing revelation inclusivity exclusivity supersessionism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/2/204 |
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