Friday, January 25, 2008

One Small Word

This afternoon I was reading an essay by the English Roman Catholic theologian, James Alison. In it he reflects on the passage in John's gospel, "For God so loved the world that . . . ".

He suggests that we commonly read 'so' to be an expression of intensity, i.e., God really, really loves the world. An alternative reading might be this: "For God loved the world in this fashion . . .". When read this way we do not engage in theo-psychology but rather we come to know God by what God does.

One small word but one that opens up a possibility of greater reflection.

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