Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

DARKNESS

The absence of light, a frequent image in both the OT and NT; the NT’s usage is highly influenced by the OT. Darkness was present at the beginning, and God’s power worked against it in creation (Gen. 1). Darkness is subsequently a master image for chaos, separation, and death, and a synonym of sin and evil. In the intertestamental period, the Dead Sea Scrolls illustrate the metaphorical use of darkness as a characteristic of the forces hostile to God and in battle with him (War of the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness; cf. 1 En. 108:11-15; T. Levi 19:1).

In the NT, words translated “darkness” occur often, and in virtually every case they are used in a metaphorical sense. An exception is John 6:17, where the word is literal. In the account of the death of Jesus (Mark 15:33 par.), the darkness may be both literal and figurative.

When used metaphorically, “darkness” can be equivalent to Satan (Luke 22:53) and can refer to eternal destiny without God (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). The coming of Jesus into the world signals the beginning of the saving light’s confrontation with darkness (Luke 1:79), and his ministry can be described as the bringing of light to those in darkness (Matt. 4:16, quoting Isa. 9:2[MT 1]). The response to Jesus is to choose between light and darkness, and most people prefer darkness to hide their sins (John 3:19). Accordingly, pagan life is characterized by darkness (Rom. 1:21; Eph. 5:11; 6:12), and pagans have darkness as their eternal destiny (Col. 1:13; 2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13). The conflict between light and darkness as a description of God’s work in the last days, anticipated in the OT apocalyptic hope, is heightened in the NT (Mark 13:24 par.). Acts 2:20 quotes Joel 2:31(3:4) as being fulfilled.

Because darkness and light are used to denote contrasting camps — God’s and Satan’s — they are also often used to designate the distinction between God’s people and those who oppose him (esp. in Paul). Indeed, to turn to God is to turn away from darkness to the light (Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:5). The obvious contrast between darkness and light is a strong way to state the contrast between God’s people and others (2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:4-5; 1 Pet. 2:9).

The fundamental opposition between God and Satan, or God’s people and the unbelieving, is also manifested in the moral life. Christians must avoid the “works of darkness” and walk as “children of light” (Eph. 5:8, 11). This contrast of living, strongly presented in 1 John 1:5-6; 2:8-11, reveals the true children of God and the validity of their theological claims, thereby distinguishing them from those who are false.

Bibliography. E. Trocme, “Light and Darkness in the Fourth Gospel,” Didaskalia 3 (1995): 3-13; D. O. Via, Jr., “Darkness, Christ, and the Church in the Fourth Gospel,” SJT 14 (1961): 172-93.

Wendell Willis

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

DARKNESS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)