Light of Christ

The light of Christ is a concept in Christianity deriving from several passages in the New Testament. One of the main reference points for 'the light of Christ,' is in the prologue of John's Gospel, John 1:9, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (KJV Bible).^[1] Another is the Apostle Paul's citation "Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14).^[2]

Notable writers on the concept of the light of Christ include Ephrem the Syrian in the fourth century, Severus of Antioch in the sixth century,^[3] and the Quaker William Penn.^[4]

References

1. Samuel M. Janney History of the religious society of Friends 1859 - Page 72 "This holy and redeeming power, he usually called by the scriptural term, 'the light of Christ,' for he is "the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." "
2. Barry L. Davis The Claims of Christ: What Jesus Had to Say about Himself 2001 Page 55 "said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you'” (Eph. 5:13-14). The knowledge we gain of ourselves is this: we are inherently evil and are resistant to the light of Christ because that light exposes all of our sins..."
3. Byzantinoslavica - Volume 56 1995- Page 696 "Ephrem the Syrian, an apologist for this concept in the fourth century,44 and later especially Severus of Antioch in the sixth century, wrote extensive commentaries on the concept of the light of Christ, each from his viewpoint concerning on ..."
4. The Papers of William Penn: William Penn's published ... William Penn, Mary Maples Dunn, Richard S. Dunn - 1986 - Page 156 "WP's part of Christian-Quaker might well have been entitled "The Light Within," for that is what of the essay is about. He began by defining the concept of the Light of Christ Within, adding that "Seed, Light, Word, Spirit, Life, Truth, Power, ..."