The first letter of John emerges in the aftermath of a dramatic church schism which led to some members leaving the community. Sources of dispute included the understanding of the Christ, the meaning of his death, and the nature of salvation. Those who “went out” (1 John 2:19) apparently expressed different views and are even associated with the “antichrist” (see 1 John 2:18-22; 4:1-6). In the wake of such a conflict, 1 John 4:7-16 counsels mutual love within the community, and grounds that love in the knowledge of God, who “is love” (1 John 4:8). 1 John argues that God’s love is revealed in Jesus Christ, who came “in the flesh” (1 John 4:2). This emphasis upon God’s love as manifested by Jesus coming in the flesh is one of the reasons why the passage is often read at Christmas.
It would be interesting to have a discussion with this author (who remains anonymous, although the early church attributed the text to John the son of Zebedee). On the one hand, the text’s emphasis upon love within the community and God as love are tremendously appealing and one can appreciate the author’s attempts to provide support and clarity to a readership that has been through considerable conflict and upheaval. On the other hand, and given the text’s stress on Jesus “enfleshed,” I would like to ask what the author would make of some of the teachings attributed to Jesus, such as “love your enemies” (Luke 6:27-28) and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). For not only is it love for those within communities that Jesus demands, but love for those on the outside; for those who think and act differently and who are sometimes called as “enemy.”
-Alicia Batten
No comments:
Post a Comment