Heavenly conversation in cosmic language

This study focuses on the centrality of the Logos theme in the prologue of the Fourth Gospel. The study demonstrates that the author of John's Gospel is keen to present to his audience the uniqueness of the Word which became 'umuntu' or 'flesh'. Apparently, the author of the Gospel is in interlocution with various strands in his audience who have a different understanding of the Logos. Second, we discern a movement that ascends from verse 12 which is seen as the proof of the prologue. In his ascension, the Logos dwells, embraces, and befriends those who accept him. The dialectic between those who reject him and those who accept him calls for a sociolinguistic approach in order to highlight what the discourse of the author is all about. The methodology that is employed in this study is that of sociolinguistics, and with the emphasis being on antilanguage. John consciously uses a dialogical method in order to distinguish between those who speak the language of the rejection of Jesus, and those whose language is different from the opponents of Jesus.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Religious Studies

Year dc:date.issued

1997

Author dc:creator

• Madlala, Mbusiswa Hezekiah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kwenda, Chirevo

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14406

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14406