Discussion for 25th April
Bible Discussion Group for Monday 25th April 2022 6.30 pm - led by Rob Oulton
‘Have you (ever) been born again?’
This evening’s Bible passage is John, Chapter 3, v. 1-21 which describes the Pharisee Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus by night. Jesus tells him that to see the Kingdom of God, a person must be ‘born again’ or perhaps ‘born from above’.
With its connotations of emotional ‘Billy Graham’ type conversion experiences, ‘Being Born Again’ can see Unitarians running for the hills. But this passage addresses the deep mystery of how we change - our ideas, our minds, our spirituality, our beliefs.
What can we find in this passage that speaks to our own spiritual and psychological journeys?
How does it help us understand more deeply the significance and cost of being ‘re-born’?
Can we be re-born as Unitarians?
Other helpful passages could be 1 Corinthians ch. 2 on life in the Spirit, or 1 Peter ch.1 v 22/23, (the only other passage that uses specifically the idea of being ‘re-born)’, or Numbers ch.21 v 4-9 where the passage about the bronze serpent, referenced by Jesus in John 3 v.15, is found.
The 17th century metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan’s beautiful poem ‘The Night’ is based on this passage. The poem suggests Nicodemus visits Jesus at night, not out of fear but of wisdom. He knows the ‘Light of the World’ can only truly be discerned at night, away from the noonday, noisy glare of the marketplace – ‘There is in God a dazzling darkness’.
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