Book 2: An Illumination of the Gospel of John
Part 2: Signs of Aionion Life
This episode continues the overview of the Gospel of John with my friend Erik. In this episode, we consider the Johannine focus on life, and the special quality of life called "aionion" - usually translated as eternal. We consider the part of John's Gospel (Ch. 2-11) which is structured around 7 signs, with special attention to the first sign: turning the water of purification to the wine of conviviality.
An apologia is offered for Jesus' being positively associated with Dionysus, as he appears in the mystery cults - the highest development of Greek pagan religion. The structure and (probable) content of the Dionysian mystery plays is discussed in connection with the incarnational motif of descent and ascent. The asceticism of John the Baptist and the conviviality of Jesus are contrasted.
Reference is made to Friedrich Schelling's (1841-42) Philosophy of Mythology and the ancient Greek work of Hesiod, Theogony. We also discuss the case of Nietzsche at length, in terms of both the great vitality and the great dangers of Dionysian madness.
In this episode:
0:00 - Charting course: overview of the seven signs
3:00 - Aionion and Aion
4:40 - The Age to Come
5:20 - Biblical religion vs. mythological consciousness
8:00 - The Reading: John Ch. 2
12:00 - Relation and difference of Dionysus and Christ
16:36 - The story and development of Dionysus
19:31 - Nietzsche's Dionysian vs. Apollonian
22:45 - Ascetic John and Jesus the Winebearer
27:51 - Jesus as liberator of the corrupted Temple
30:00 - The mystery cults and Dionysus
34:35 - 'Succession' in Hesiod and Schelling's Philosophy of Mythology
39:14 - A safe container for the descent and ascent
41:23 - The twin dangers of Dionysian madness and Apollonian deadness
43:14 - The tragic case of Nietzsche, his Victorian context
48:13 - The real miracle: Jesus embodies Dionysian vitality without sin