Neville Goddard on John 1:1

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets the 'Word' from John 1:1 not as a spoken sound, but as the very being and essence of God. This Word is synonymous with meaning, intention, and the divine purpose that is the cause of all creation. He teaches that this creative Word, identified as Jesus Christ, became flesh and now dwells within every human being. The purpose of this indwelling is for God to awaken within the individual, ultimately transforming them into Himself.

Key Concepts

• The Word is God: The Word is not merely with God; it is God.
• The Word is Meaning: The true definition of the Word is the meaning, intention, or purpose behind all of existence. The Creator and the intention are one.
• The Word is the Creator: All things, including the unlovely, were made by the Word. It is the cause of all the phenomena of life.
• The Word Dwells Within: The Word became flesh and now dwells in us. It is an implanted, internal presence.
• The Word is Jesus Christ: The indwelling Word, full of grace and truth, is identified as Jesus Christ, who transforms us from within.

Detailed Explanation

In his interpretation of John 1:1, Neville Goddard moves beyond the literal definition of 'word' as speech. He explains that the Word is, in fact, God Himself. Its true definition is 'meaning' or 'intention.' In the beginning, there was a divine purpose, and that purpose was one with God; the intender and the intention were the same. This meaning is the ultimate cause behind all the objects and events in the world.

As the creative power, the Word is responsible for the formation of all things. The scripture states that without the Word, nothing was made that was made. Neville extends this to mean that the Word is the source of everything, including experiences that humanity might judge as 'unlovely.' This is all part of a divine plan that was conceived 'in the beginning' before the foundation of the world.

The central point of this teaching is that this creative Word is not an external deity or a distant force. The Word 'was made flesh and dwelt within us.' God detached this Word from His own being and implanted it within every individual. This indwelling presence is explicitly identified as Jesus Christ, who is full of grace and truth. Therefore, the God who was 'in the beginning' now resides inside of you.

The ultimate purpose of this divine plan is for the Word—God Himself—to awaken within the individual. By dwelling in us as Jesus Christ, the Word transforms us into Himself. God became us so that we, through the awakening of this implanted Word, may become God. This fulfills the grand purpose that was established from the very beginning.

Important Quotes

In the beginning, there was meaning to the whole thing, and that meaning was with God, and God Himself was the meaning.

— Live In The End

In the beginning was the intention - the meaning - and the intention was with the intender, and the intention was the intender.

— Seedtime And Harvest

So the Word, full of grace and truth, is Jesus Christ. He who was in the beginning with God and was God, now dwells in us, transforming us into himself that we

— God’s Plan Of Redemption

If the Word was not only with God, it was God, well, then, that’s God, and it now dwells in us.

— Imagination Plus Faith

Related Concepts

• Law of Assumption: The teaching that the Word creates all things is directly linked to practical application. Because the creative power is within you, you can use it by assuming the feeling of your wish fulfilled. By sleeping in the assumption that you are what you desire to be, you are using the creative Word to realize that state in your world.
• I AM: The concept of the Word dwelling within you as Jesus Christ is the foundation of the teaching that God's name is 'I AM'. 'Christ in us' is the hope of glory, and this indwelling presence is your own consciousness, the creative power that responds to your assumptions.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The 'Word' is a spoken utterance or an external power.
  • Correction: The source material defines the Word as God Himself, the very meaning and intention behind creation, which now dwells within each person.
• Misunderstanding: Jesus Christ is solely a historical figure separate from you.
  • Correction: Neville identifies the Word that dwells within you as Jesus Christ. He is the indwelling presence of God that transforms you from within.

Practical Applications

The primary application of this teaching is to recognize that the creative power of God, the Word, is not separate from you but resides within your own consciousness. Knowing that this power creates all realities, you can consciously direct it. You apply this principle by assuming that you already are the person you want to be. By sleeping night after night in the feeling of your wish fulfilled, you are using the creative Word within you to bring that state into your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Neville Goddard mean by 'the Word' in John 1:1?

He defines the Word as God Himself, which is the divine meaning, intention, and purpose that is the cause of all creation.

Is the Word an external force according to Neville?

No, he teaches that the Word 'became flesh and dwelt within us.' It is an implanted, internal presence, identified as Jesus Christ.

Does the Word only create 'good' things?

According to the source material, because the Word made all things, it is also responsible for the 'unlovely things' as part of God's overall plan.

What is the ultimate purpose of the Word dwelling in us?

The purpose is for the Word, which is God, to awaken within the individual, transforming that person into God.