Temporality, Eschatology, and Anti-imperialism in the Gospel of John

Description

John’s gospel is not known for its eschatological focus or anti-imperial agenda. This paper, however, proposes that the concept of ‘time’ in the narrative points to the religious community’s self-understanding as a revelation and prefiguration of the coming divine reign. Not only is ‘time’ an important theme accentuating the growing urgency within the developing plot, but it also structures the narrative following the yearly rhythm of Jewish festivals while simultaneously reconfiguring their meaning. Thus, it shapes the identity of the (real or constructed) ‘Johannine community' vis-à-vis other more dominant religious and imperial temporalities. By comparing John’s use of time to Graeco-Roman (end-)time narratives and by using the lens of ‘prefigurative politics’ – a political-philosophical concept – it is argued that the gospel’s author uses the notion of ‘time’ to set up its religious community as a heterotopia drawing the divine future into the present.

Period	24 Jun 2025
Event title	SBL & EABS International Meeting 2025
Event type	Conference
Location	Uppsala, SwedenShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International