A Choice Between Light & Darkness

CONTENTS-A Choice Between Light & Darkness Acknowledgements Preface Abbreviations Introduction CHAPTER ONE God is Light in the Old Testament Religio –Historical Background of Light and Darkness Word Meaning and General Understanding in the Old Testament The Notion of Light and Darkness in the Genesis Light and Darkness in the Book of Exodus The Illustration of Light and Darkness in the Psalms The Prophetic Understanding of Light and Darkness Dualism in the Other Literature Dead Sea Scrolls Rabbinic Exposition Gnostic Ideology Philo’s View CHAPTER TWO Jesus the Light of the World The Global and Immediate Structure of John The Centrality of John 8:12 and Biblical Feast of Light The Parallelism between Qumran and John The Exegetical Understanding of John 8:12 I AM “I Am” in the Gospel of John The Theological and Christological Understanding of “I AM” The Light The New Testament Usage The Setting, Function and Meaning of John 8:12 Theology of John 8:12 The World General and Johannine Understanding Theological Connotation of the “World” Follow Me The Different Aspects of “Following” Johannine Understanding of “Discipleship” The Walk Meaning of the “Walk” in the Old Testament and John Walk as “Way of Life” Darkness Symbolism of Light and Darkness The Idea of Darkness according to Fourth Gospel Darkness as an Enemy of God Deliverance from Darkness Life General Notion of “Life” Background of Light of Life Jesus, the Source of Light and Life Conclusion CHAPTER THREE New Horizons of Light Background, Text and Explanation of Qumran 1 QS 3:13-4:26 Part 1: The Notion of Light and Darkness in Johannine Quotations Nicodemus Event (Jn 3) The Blind Sees the Light (Jn 9) Last Warning to the Rejecter (Jn 12) Part 2: The Ethical Implication of First John Background of 1 John 1:5-2:11 Love of God finds Fulfilment in Love of Others Part 3: The Eschatological Dimension in the Book of Revelation General Character, Context and Construction of the Book The Lord God will Illumine them Indian Perspectives on Light and Darkness General Notion of Light and Darkness in the Hindu Scriptures Johannine Upanishad Religious Festivals Deepavali: The Feast of Lights Conclusion Readers View Index of Authors and Books ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fr. Wilson Diago D’souza OFM Capuchin is the member of St. Bonaventure Province, Maharashtra, India. He has been studious and hardworking friar since his formation. After his ordination he has spent time and years in formation, teaching and preaching. He has been in an academic field ever since ordained as priest and has a hobby of reading books. Apart from academician, he has human qualities of relating, understanding and friendly nature. He has completed his Masters in secular studies called Masters in Arts specialized in Sociology. In religious studies he has Masters in Biblical Theology from St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, India. He too possesses the degree of Licence and Doctorate in Biblical Theology from St. Thomas of Aquinas University, Rome. Now he resides at La-Verna Capuchin Theologate, JDV Campus, Pune. He is known professor in Biblical subjects in various institutions in India, especially at JDV, Pune, Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh (Elluru), Goa and Kerala. He is also known preacher and teacher of Biblical Materials to the Laity.