Joy is an indispensable element in Christianity, but it is something to which many present-day Christians require to be recalled. The New Testament is the most joyful book in the world and contains some ten groups of cognates and synonyms for joy. These ten groups are made up of twenty-seven worlds, which occur three hundred and twenty-five times in all. Each of the New Testament writers has his own contribution to make towards the Christian conception of joy. Luke has provided us with "the cospel of Joy", though it was the Apostle Paul who first gave literary expression to the idea in its various aspects. John emphasises the fulness of joy that can be experienced by the Christian here and now. The joy of practical Christianity is portrayed by James, while the look of Revelation deseribos the joy of the redeemed and gives us a glimpse into the glories of the invisible world. Christian joy is not only based on the very character of God as Father and on the historical events of the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and the Exaltation of Christ, but it is also connected with the experience of the Holy Spirit. It must find practical outlets in worship, in life, and in joyful service. Even in the midst of suffering, the Christian can rejoice in the hope of joy hereafter and in the expectation of the ultimate triumph of good at the consummation of all things.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:593165 |
| Date | January 1957 |
| Creators | Morrice, William Gorman |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU256772 |
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