John Teller (JT) was not only one of the "first 9" (the first nine members of the club when it was created), nor was he simply it's first president. John Teller was THE creator of the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club, and there begins his symbolic role as God. Just as God created the world and mankind, John made his own creation, his own world, and the society within it. JT is dead before the series even begins, he is said to have died while Jax, his son, was a child. From the very beginning John Teller is spoken very highly of among the sons, his fellow 'brothers', with one exception: Clay. His bike, much like the cross, is proudly displayed in the clubhouse. Later we discover that it was Clay and his jealousy that killed JT, sabotaging JT's motorcycle, causing him to crash with a semi.

 

However, JT's influence was not erased with his 'death'. Like God, he does not require a physical body to exert his influence as he leaves behind a son and a book to guide the MC in the right direction. Jax, JT's son, fills a symbolic role of Jesus in the show, and the book represents the bible. JT becomes the force behind Jax Teller's revolution of the Sons. JT's morals and goals for the club remain firmly embedded in Jax's mind throughout the series, even when he loses his own way a bit. Jax follows JT’s dream and does everything he can to create his ideal world, Jax even makes it his last act and dying wish. John Teller is also the one that Jax shares his last words with, as Jesus did with God on the cross.