Come and See
Summary
Given the Bible's persistent emphasis on the problem of idolatry, why suddenly, in John, are we confronted with the phrase, "Come and see?" This seems especially odd, since the opening verses of John deliberately limit the reader’s purview to the divine word, which begins with the inscription "in the beginning," referring to Genesis. Obviously, Philip is calling Nathaniel to go out and meet Jesus, but why the emphasis on sight? What is John inviting us to "see" when the Bible repeatedly calls us to "hear?" Is John making an about face with respect to idolatry, or is something else going on? Let’s ask John Chrysostom. (Episode 59)Given the Bible's persistent emphasis on the problem of idolatry, why suddenly, in John, are we confronted with the phrase, "Come and see?" This seems especially odd, since the opening verses of John deliberately limit the reader’s purview to the divine word, which begins with the inscription "in the beginning," referring to Genesis. Obviously, Philip is calling Nathaniel to go out and meet Jesus, but why the emphasis on sight? What is John inviting us to "see" when the Bible repeatedly calls us to "hear?" Is John making an about face with respect to idolatry, or is something else going on? Let’s ask John Chrysostom. (Episode 59)
