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John 17
Mar 24, 2007 19:57:16 GMT -8
Post by michelle on Mar 24, 2007 19:57:16 GMT -8
Post your comments/ questions/ discussion starters on John chapter 17 as replies here.
Wow, this my have just become one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I read it 3 times in a row. I love this portrayal of Jesus having so much care and concern about His disciples and the people who would follow His disciples. Basically, Jesus was praying for us 2,000 years ago. That is such an amazing thought to me. Now I know where to go when I'm not "feelin' the love".
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aimee
Advanced Member
Posts: 136
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John 17
Mar 26, 2007 22:00:18 GMT -8
Post by aimee on Mar 26, 2007 22:00:18 GMT -8
That is so cool! John is one of my current favorite books of the bible. It seems like he has a lot of insight on love and faith.
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John 17
Oct 11, 2007 20:20:11 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Oct 11, 2007 20:20:11 GMT -8
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. First off, (agreed, but on the inverse) how cool it is that Jesus not only intercedes for us now, but he even interceded for us in time and space, in human history, during his earthly ministry. Some are critical of this verse, seeing it as an interpolation by John, but given the basic nature of the Messiah's mission ("to bless all nations"), isn't it natural that Jesus would have been thinking about the peoples of the nations that He message would extend to?
Secondly, the part about unity is at once beautiful and heartbreaking, considering Church history. My question is: how serious do Christians today take this verse? If God's will is that we all reach more than just a token unity, what are we doing to bring ourselves in line with God's will? What are we willing to sacrifice to see that happen, even if it seems impossible from our vantage point?
Are we willing to hold our denominational lines loosely? (or dare I say even let them go?) Are we willing to associate with believers who hold different opinions (within the bounds of historic orthodoxy)? Do we partner with Christians around the world? Do we look for bridges first or dividing lines when we meet Christians (or read about ones) that don't look like us?
I see some signs in the world today that God is bringing His Church much closer toward this elusive goal-- in a healthy way. The ecumenicism of 100 years ago was doomed to failure because it watered down doctrine and emphasized shallow unity.
But now I see many healthy inroads toward unity which value and cherish a unity based on essentials that doesn't become conformity or division regarding secondary perspectives.
I'd really recommend Thomas Oden if anyone's interested in reading more about this approach.
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John 17
Oct 12, 2007 12:34:33 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Oct 12, 2007 12:34:33 GMT -8
May they be brought to complete unity
Oh, and doesn't this phrase automatically assume that unity is a process and not automatic?
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