The Reward for Belief

The gospel reading in this week's lectionary contains the most well known biblical verse in Protestant Christianity: John 3.16.  This provides an opportunity to carefully examine the way that this text is presently read, and whether this reading is correct.

As interpreted in contemporary Protestant Christianity, the text means that if we think that a set of abstract principles about Jesus are true, we will not be punished in the afterlife, but will instead go to heaven.

This reading of John 3.16 can be challenged by considering the significance of three words in the verse: "believe", "everlasting life," and "world." Let's start with "believe." In its Greek context, the word does not mean that we think that a set of principles is true.  Instead, the word is indicative of following and trusting.  "Believing" in Christ means that we will recognize him as Lord and live our lives according to his example, living a life of sacrifice, mercy, and compassion.

The word "everlasting life" does not refer to something that is found in the future, but something that is already present.  The word has strong correlations to the Jewish notion of time as divided between two ages; the present age of darkness, and the age to come, when the Reign of God would be revealed. 

The word "world," from the Greek kosmos, is best translated as "domination system." It does not refer to the planet, or even the people who inhabit the planet, but the system by which human culture operates, exemplified in Jesus' time by Rome.  Human culture is based upon violence, destruction, and hatred.

When we put these understandings of "believe," "eternal life," and "world" together, we arrive at a very different reading of John 3.16.  God loves the world, despite the world's darkness.  And into the darkness of the world, God sent His Son, who exemplified sacrificial love for the world, despite its darkness.  And if we recognize Jesus as Lord and follow in his steps, living lives of sacrificial love for the world despite its darkness, we will experience God's age right here and now.  We will recognize that God's presence is already here, in us and in the world.  And in each other.  And we will recognize that if we live as God's people, we will remain in God's presence and live in God's reign now and forever.