BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 1ST, 1930
BROOKLYN, N.Y., MARCH 1ST, 1930
Mr. A. Geo. Lewis.
My Dear Brother, — Your letter of January 20 was duly received, and I am glad you were free to write.
I do not know that I can say anything to help you on the subject you mention beyond what you have read in the Notes you mention. I take the use of the word “world” to be somewhat abstract in John 3: 16, that is, that it alludes to what God created formed and ornamented, man being set in it and over it, or as ordered later with Israel as its centre. The first mention of it in John’s gospel (especially chapter 1: 10) includes the former — it had its being through Christ. “The world knew him not:” this would allude to persons, but persons in and of the system, including the material order of things, that began to be through Christ. Literally what the Lord met was what existed in Israel, Jerusalem, Galilee, etc. — but the whole created sphere in which men were was involved.
It seems to me that this has to be borne in mind in treating of John 3: 16. I have no difficulty in admitting that it is ‘the world that then was’ from this point of view. Thus it would be the world of Genesis 1 - Genesis 2 or what was set up later in relation to Israel (Deuteronomy 32: 8). Ezekiel 31: 9 has this latter in view.
[p. 278] But while all this underlies John 3: 16, and while it is somewhat abstract, as I said, what is emphasised is the universal: that all were in view and not the Jews only. “World” therefore is subordinate to “whosoever”.
As to ‘Covenant and family relationships’, I cannot tell you where my remarks on this subject can be found — I believe they appeared as notes of a reading in Mutual Comfort, but the date I do not remember. The first refers to God, as in Romans 5: 5; the second to the Father, as in Romans 8: 15. Of course, we are sons and children of God, but known as Father. The covenant is between God and His people, not with His children. As sons of God we have “the Spirit of His Son, ... crying Abba, Father;” as in the covenant, we have “the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3: 17), or “the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5: 5).
I am interested to hear of Mr. Williams and Mr. Rofe ministering among you in Tasmania. I am acquainted with both.
With love in Christ to yourself and all the brethren in Hobart, I am,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.