Blind to Being Blind: St John’s Gospel and the Revelation of Self-Deception

Lecturer: Dr Robert Tilley

In the Gospels Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the corrupt religious authorities in Jerusalem, and as He does so He warns the Apostles of the danger of falling into the same corruption. It is John’s Gospel that more is revealed as to the nature of hypocrisy, namely a blindness to being blind. A blindness that is, in fact, intended. Deeper still, this intention is itself conveniently intended to be covered up, conveniently forgotten. Herein lies the power of self-deception, the self-serving lies we tell ourselves in order to justify being ‘double’. ‘Hypocrisy’ is not the same thing as failing to live up to our morals, we all fail, hence the need for Confession. Rather it is the intention to be double; to be one thing in one’s heart, and another in one’s speech. By way of an engagement with the Gospel of John we will explore the theme of self-deception, how it operates in the personal, the political, and in matters spiritual.

Cost $90 please register and pay here

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