Easter and the Friendship of God

The Decay of Friendship When I read the Passion and Resurrection narratives in the Gospels, I see a theme that is too little engaged within most Christian circles: one which offers us a glimpse into the nature of Jesus’ redemptive work. The theme is friendship. This school year, my students and I have encountered a number of compelling illustrations of friendship in ancient literature—Achilles weeping over Patroclus, Socrates consoling his heartbroken companions before his execution, Aristotle’s grand