12 replies to this topic

[Kevin Blankenship]

How I look at things really influences my actions I have noticed. If I look at life, and if I engage life, with the knowledge that I have acquired from reading God's Word and being true to it, then my behaviour begins to be molded into my new perspective. Before Christ, my view of things was quite different. To be successful was my number one priority (until alcohol and drugs became a large part of my life, but that's a different story for another time). Paul called this worldly way of viewing life as: "The empty way of life handed down to you from your fathers." I tried many different ways of looking at life, and engaging life, and only ONE has worked. Only ONE has brought about a transformation of my perspective.
There must REALLY BE power in that book we call the Bible. For once you get the words of that book into your mind, they will have nowhere else to go but to your heart. If, and only if, one becomes like a little child and becomes obedient to that Word. Jesus is also called the Word. "In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God." So it would seem, from this scripture (with some help from an online Strong's Concordance, that the Bible and Jesus Christ, are very close, in some mysterious way that I don't fully understand. I guess that it would depend on what 'Logos" was being talked about in John chapter one. I know that "Logos" was referring to Jesus. But was "logos" also talking about the actual canon of Scripture???? That is my question. I am using this forum as a learning tool, fellow Christians. I am picking your brains and hearts for info. I hope that you will give me this latitude. I am not setting here wringing my hands wondering if I am really saved. Not anymore, I have given up on the Calvinism VS Armenianism (spelling??). I live my life KNOWING that God loved me enough to make a GREAT sacrifice. He said: "For God so loved the world" (and I happen to be a member of the human race, or world) "that whosoever believes" (I believe!!) "will have everlasting life". (Hey, that MUST be me. I see no other way around it.) Back on topic. Jesus Christ as the Word (logos). Are the Scriptures also logos??? If so, is it logical to conclude that there is some type of close correlation between Jesus and the Scriptures??? Well, there ya go. That is my question for the week. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct the replies so that I can add some knowledge to my working creed. Thanks a million sisters and brothers of the Faith of our Fathers!!!!

[Candice]

Hi Kevin,
I haven't given this any study, but have wondered the same thing from time to time. The Word and the word is a mystery, as are many aspects of faith in Christ and the unbelievable gift and outworking of all prophecies, etc.

I think we know that Jesus fulfilled all laws and prophecies relevant to Him (of course, more to come). So He fulfilled the word (Word). He breathed the Word like he breathed Adam to life. What this looked like and continues to look like, it is interesting to contemplate. Keep searching scripture for nuggets.

You have great posts. Appreciate your natural transparency.

[radar]

The Holy Spirit is the divine author of all scripture. 2 Peter 1:20-21 "First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." Throughout the Bible, Men under the influence of the third Person of the trinity spoke by the Holy Spirit the mind and message that God wanted to convey. Peter is not saying that only prophetic parts of Scripture are inspired by God. He is saying, We know the prophetic word is inspired precisely because it is a "prophecy of Scripture." Peter's assumption is that whatever stands in Scripture is from God, written by men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." None of the Old Testament Scriptures came by the impulse of man. All of it is truth from God as men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 "We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit."
Galatians 1:12 "I did not receive [my gospel] from man nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ." If we take Paul as our model for what it meant to be an apostle of Christ, then it would be fair to say that the New Testament as well as the Old is not merely from man but also from God. The writers of the Old Testament and New Testament spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus most certainly studied the scripture availlable to him during His time as a mortal man on this earth. From the age of twelve he was found seeking knowledge from the teachers at that time as it pertains to scripture. He sudied as we do to show Himself approved before God the Father. When temepted by the devil before he started His ministry, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Jesus used three verses from Dueteronomy to rebuke the devil. We have the entire Word at our disposal to overcome the Flesh, the world,and the devil.

My observation is that man had scripture but needed a way to incorperate that scripture into everyday life. So the Word became flesh and dwelt with us so we would have a human example of what God says and for us to follow. I like what you said Kevin about the power of the Bible. Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." I hope this helps bring a little insight and glad the question was asked as I had never really thought along those lines until now.

[ADVRider]

So it would seem, from this scripture (with some help from an online Strong's Concordance, that the Bible and Jesus Christ, are very close, in some mysterious way that I don't fully understand. I guess that it would depend on what 'Logos" was being talked about in John chapter one. I know that "Logos" was referring to Jesus. But was "logos" also talking about the actual canon of Scripture???? That is my question. ... Jesus Christ as the Word (logos). Are the Scriptures also logos??? If so, is it logical to conclude that there is some type of close correlation between Jesus and the Scriptures???

See this reference: http://biblehub.com/john/5-39.htm for the connection.

Can't technically answer your question about whether or not the canon of scripture is considered the Logos (I used to know this stuff), but certainly there is a relationship between Jesus and the scriptures. We also know that John 1:1 says the Logos was in the beginning and that He became flesh. And because the scriptures are God-breathed, we know they are not the words of a man. Thus, as an expresssion of God, I guess it could also be said they are Logos.

[Lori Smith]

To add to the others: I think this presents a pretty good explanation: http://www.gotquesti...s-Word-God.html

[Kevin Blankenship]

Thanks for the links sisters and brothers!!!! Trust me.....I DO open them and read them!!!!!! I am trying to fill the vast empty spaces that is my mind with knowledge of Jesus!!!! It's going to take it as we approach, and have already approached, this present evil age. Not to mention, the crap that already goes through my mind. Many many many many many times a day to I have to bring a thought into captivity......:"and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I aim on going out on the first load!!!!!!!! The important thing is.....I'm convinced that Jesus wants me to too. (thanks for the links again!!!!!!!)

[keroseman]

Actually, not long ago, I found myself studying some Scriptures that seemed to opening my eyes to this very correlation between Jesus (the Word) and God's Word. Please forgive me, if I am unable to fully articulate it here. My studies and thus my understanding on this are not yet complete. Perhaps I can share, in part (as much as I understand now) my conclusions, but more importantly the source Scriptures so that you and/or others can examine them as well. Maybe the discussion after one or more others examine them can yeild further understanding for us all.

For me it is clear from Genesis 1 that God spoke all of creation in to existence. In other words, it was His Word that set in motion the creative power responsible for everything in existence. Without God's Word spoken, nothing would be. John 1 makes it clear that the Word (Jesus) was there in the beginning and that nothing was made without Him. Colossians 1:15-17 also tells us that all things in heaven and on earth were created by, for, and through Him (Jesus).

1 John 5:7 says, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." When we link this with Scriptures stated above along with those previously referenced by radar (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; and 1 Corinthians 2:12-13), then I think we can clearly see a correlation between the Father, the Word (Jesus) and the Spirit which inspires the prophecy of Scripture and the men responsible for authoring the Scriptures.

To me it seems logical to conclude that Jesus described as being the creative power through which all things were created at the direction of the Father's spoken Word is one with the Spirit that inspired the cannon of Scripture. This conclusion may further be supported by a more thorough study of 1 Corinthians 1:30; Proverbs 3:19; and Proverbs 8:22-31. These essentially point to Jesus as also being the "wisdom" that existed before creation and was instrumental in the creative process. Perhaps a conclusion could be made concerning the Scriptures as also being the source of Godly wisdom.

[keroseman]

Also, I found this info in the Strong's Concordance for Logos (Strong's Number: 3056):

"In John, (Logos) denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds.
A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John."

This might help further our understanding as well.

[noah22x]

Colossians 3:11 "...but Christ is all and in all."

[Kevin Blankenship]

Colossians 3:11 "...but Christ is all and in all."

Welcome to the forum Noah. Could you elaborate. I mean, you left a portion of a scripture...a good one, no doubt, but my original intent was trying to make a connection between the word (the written, or spoken word) to the WORD....Jesus Christ.
But that scripture also, taken out of context, seems to be a strong Tower-scripture for Universalism. Hmmmmm. I'm just not sure that I follow. Anyway...thanks for sharing!!! We are glad to have you here. Please post more.

[noah22x]

Yes sir. I realize what the topic is. A wonderful insight I enjoyed reading. Actually, way above my inteligence. A portion...out of context...yes, I see. I apologize. I should be careful. We can out think ourselves. God is God, and above all. I understand no more than that after I've said all I know. Universalism...I'm reading the Tozer devotional. Universalism doesn't follow. I meant no harm.

[Kevin Blankenship]

Noah, I am sure that you meant no harm. I clicked on this thread the other night and there was that scripture. I jumped to wrong conclusions. I am not the brightest bulb on the tree so I have to have stuff explained to me. You did that.
I wasn't doubting that you knew or didn't know what the topic was about. I said that sentence as part of my whole communication. What you have to share, as a child of God, a man of God, is as every bit important as what any of us share.
I had been reading some stuff on Universalism and that is one of their scriptures. The Bible says to "try the spirits". I mean....now I am much clearer on where you are coming from. I am just a little too blunt and that is easy to be on a forum where there are no actual live faces. In short, i thoroughly appreciate your sharing. I now take it as it was intended instead of making a snapshot decision (or whatever one calls it). Please don't let your first encounter with this site, filled with wonderful and mature Christians (not me....I am still a babe....and not being unnecessarily humble, but candid) deter you from actively engaging in our conversations. I apologize if my wording and perhaps, my intent, was not absolutely kind and loving. Those are absolutely brand new traits for me and I bumble about and a lot of times and say the wrong stuff.

[Thinker]

Kevin, When the Bible is loved, studied, believed and applied, it is living and powerful! Jesus is the Living expression of the written Word and the written Word is the written expression of the Living Word. That's why Jesus said, in John 6:33, "....the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life...." Jesus in us is the Living Word present; the written Word is Jesus speaking within us and to us through His Word. This is why we must never treat it like other books that we read. It is not just something to inform us. It is to be internalized and lived out. The more of this that we see develop in us, the more people will be drawn to consider Him. Hope these few thoughts prove helpful. Wishing you His best! Thinker (Ron).