Overview

What happened to the reign of God when it visited John's world? At first glance, it looks like it got short shrift, appearing in just two verses (John 3:3, 5). However, what if, like the ubiquitous reign of God in the Synoptic Gospels, its two verses are the early planting of a seed that grows and spreads through the book? What if the diction of a parable of God's reign is diffused throughout the text, as is arguably the case with the wildly generous father and his prodigal son? What if the thesaurus/treasure of the reign saying in Matt 13 is hidden within the diction of John 6:68 concerning Jesus' words of eternal life? This study also examines the influence on John of the regnant Arm of YHWH as exercised in the Servant poems of Isaiah, as well as the Johannine version of the verse about God's reign in Wis 10:10. The subtlety of that agenda in John is a fitting tribute to the subtle character of God's Sophia, the feminine presence of the divine. We also observe the Johannine author utilizing the Hellenistic practice of picture-puzzles, placing thematically related passages in discernible patterns. This reading provides food both fresh and nutritious.

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Reviews

""Although the reign of God is mentioned by Jesus only twice in John (3:3 and 5), there can be no doubt that the text resonates with an understanding that Jesus brings to us the possibility of participation in the life of God. In John this is called 'eternal life, ' or as I like to name it, 'eternity life.' Mark's Kiley's book uncovers the presence of this reign/life of God in his analysis. This is particularly evident through the lens of Sophia, expressed in the Wisdom of Solomon, as well as through other significant themes such as 'seeing' and the puzzling parables/stories."" --Mary L. Coloe, Professor Emerita, University of Divinity, Melbourne

Author Information

Mark C. Kiley is Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John's University, New York.

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