What does John 3:16 mean, in the first place, in the narrative-historical context of first-century Judaism as it was framed by the distinctive theological perspective of the tradition associated with the apostle John? Until we understand that properly, I don’t think we will be in a position to affirm it as truth

is there a way to do this which will not force us to abandon anyone without significant education because they can’t even parse that sentence, let alone help us actually come to an informed conclusion what John 3:16 "means"?

do we not risk a new kind of gnosticism, with its "secret knowledge" or a new kind of calvinistic, pre-destination informed "chosen few" who are blessed enough to be intelligent enough and educated enough to be a part of this new approach to a gospel message?

maybe this is overly glib, but is there some sense of how to go about taking this highly intellectual conversation and turning it back into the sermon on the mount?

if not, how do we justify the souls we leave behind through no fault of their own beyond an unfortunate birth?

~jhimm
—
it’s smarter to be lucky
than
it’s lucky to be smart.