Union with the transcendent God in Philo and John’s Gospel
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies August 28, 2015 Pieter G.R. de Villiers
The article examines how divine presence is experienced in an intimate relationship between God and humans, as described in Philo's writings and the Gospel of John. It identifies a shared mystical pattern from the 1st century CE that explains similarities between the two texts, without claiming a direct genetic link. Philo's relatively unknown mystical experiences and views are given special attention, showing how union with a transcendent God is mediated both directly and indirectly. The Gospel of John is then compared to illustrate how this pattern appears in a Jewish-Christian context. The analysis highlights divine longing for union with humanity despite God's transcendence.