| SUMMARY: |
The Gospel of John provides a narrative that renders perceptible the
imperceptible for those who have not had the opportunity to encounter
Jesus in person. The phenomenon of perceiving the divine has at least
two subsidiary approaches. One approach is rooted in the ancient Middle
Eastern and Judeo‐Hellenistic traditions, which acknowledge the validity
of experiencing and contemplating the divine. The second tradition
pertains to Christianity, which is characterised by a significant departure
from both Judaism and paganism. It postulates that God assumes a form
that is comprehensible to humans and manifests Himself through Jesus
Christ. The concept of observing Jesus in various forms is prominently
evident, though typically regarded as subordinate to the perspective of
the auditor. Theophany narratives typically feature a sequential
presentation wherein a visible manifestation is succeeded by a divine
expression. |
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