Travels Through And Beyond Time In The Gospel Of John

Abstract

The paper offers a literary and temporal exploration of the Gospel of John to demonstrate the creation of forms of (a)temporality. The analysis is outlined along three temporal modes (narratological, historical and theological/spiritual) to define the manners in which the Gospel constructs different conceptions of time (linear and cyclical) that it tends in turn to negate and transcend. Constructing time serves its negation, which founds the literary genius of the word of Christ becoming text. The article first elaborates upon the linear frequency of signs whose function is to enlighten the identity of Christ and the reality of the kingdom. Secondly, one needs to explore the temporality of the celebration of the Christological Ego, especially in the farewell speeches (Jn 14-17). Finally, these precedent stages allow us to define the possibility for the word to become text as inherent to the nature of Jesus’ speeches understood as spirit and life. This passage from word to text, of writing becoming spirit and life defines what I term a textual incarnation. Once consumed, this textual incarnation opens new horizons of (a)temporality.