I have recently heard a discussion regarding the opposite perspectives of the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels as well as the Gospel of Thomas.
I had not really defined it as such, but now that I've seen it, I can't unsee it.
The Synoptics and Thomas come from the understanding that the Kingdom of God is Light and is within. Let your light shine... You have come from the Light and are Light... the Kingdom is within... etc etc etc
John comes from the point of view it is outside a person and has to be gotten, achieved, received, or gained by belief in one outside of self.
Which is true changes religion and therefore life.
If we don't have the Light, it's pretty scary. Who can we trust to tell us how to get it? If we don't have Light, how can we even be alive? What energy energizes us, if it is not Divine Light within? How can our Light go out if we don't have it to begin with?
If we have Light, it's a matter of tuning in to it and letting it guide us. Its the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom within, the Father doing the work with and through us.
It seems to me that the authors of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and Thomas were onto something wise and profound and true.
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