Over the centuries John’s Gospel1 has inspired artists and musicians, theologians, poets and thinkers, and countless ordinary Christians. It has sustained faith, aroused love, and encouraged heroism. Viewed as the high point of New Testament theology, it has profoundly shaped Christian doctrine. In patristic and medieval times John was symbolized as an eagle, ‘the spiritual bird, fast-flying, God-seeing’ (Eriugena),2 an image still used in Church art. His