zipping along today?
I am not certain that comprehension as is commonly used (understanding with the ability to apply what is comprehended to various unrelated problems) is what John is using.
Imo, the comprehension level (as some would commonly define it) wasn't the problem when John wrote:
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it
If I comprehend the word "comprehend" as used by John, it conveys the meaning: that one may seize, grab on too, attain, apprehend, achieve. It would indicate more of the darkness being a friend to the light, or accepting the light in partnership. That the light would become a part of darkness so that there was a blending and no distinction. That in some manner the darkness could become light.
"Comprehension" isn't always in the manner of intellectual, but the character behind the intellectual. A child of high intellect does not learn what they do not pay attention to learn.
As it applies then to the verses, the intellect (ability to grasp and hold) is available, the teaching (enlightenment) is done, but there is no blending, no partnership, no friendship, no innate ability to attain or become light.
The next verses:
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
Perhaps a good example of the "receive" I am attempting to apply might be illustrated in what the Lord said when He breathed on the Apostles and said - "...Receive the Holy Spirit..." (John 20:22)
There are those who would consider "accept" and "receive" as synonymous.
However, it does seem that taking "receive" as being able to seize and grab, especially out of some innate self-energized volition, is a rendering not supported by the Scriptures in John 1.
Glad you don't disagree!
I don't know that "many" but "all" choose to shun the light (all have sinned).
Perhaps the one area that would indicate support for your thinking of the children is Christ's statement concerning them - "such is the kingdom of heaven."
The phrase "To assume that hardening is inevitable..." might present a bit of a problem in the sense that we are "born in sin," (all except Winman) and sin is sort of a catalyst to generate hardening. How quickly and how much is indeterminate.
I do contemplate on this at times from the perspective of the work of conviction.
Is it not true that God brings great conviction and at times the slightest "nudge?"
Perhaps that may be an indicator of the level of hardening.
Good for us. I like being in agreement "as is in me."
Paul quotes Isaiah (Acts 28:26-27) and for the most part this is a troubling passage for the non-cal folks.
It shows two perspectives: 1) That God is highly selective and manipulative when it comes to who and when salvation occurs. 2) That it is the heart of people (from their core) to shun, avoid, stop the ears... but God is available and willing to heal, though it is self evident that the people will not come.
We do read that they do come, but that happens at a specific time because God has performed that highly selective and manipulative work to bring about the salvation.
I would have loved to have been "eavesdropping" on those Jewish leaders arguing with each other on the way home that evening.
