A Thumbnail Theology – Peter Lundell, D.Miss.
Historical/cultural background of the Greek term logos.
In Greek philosophy logos was the term used to denote the rational principle by which the entire universe was sustained.
In Stoic pantheism logos referred to the animating life force or “world soul” that permeated the universe.
Thus, John is using a familiar term with a huge, universal meaning to express the ultimate usage of that term logos in the person of Jesus Christ.
John 1:1
The logos was in the beginning, referring to Genesis 1:1 creation.
The logos was itself God, and the logos was with God—a trinitarian formula.
John 1:2–3
The logos is now referred to as he. And he was with God in the beginning. His central participation in creation is emphasized.
John 1:4
The logos is the source of life. Further use throughout the New Testament implies that this use of “life” means eternal life that manifests in fullness of life—body, soul, and spirit—here and now on earth.
This “life” in turn becomes “light” to humanity. A parallel can be seen here between life and light in terms of eternal life and fullness of life here and now.
John 1:5
The light of the logos pierces the darkness of the world and of the people in it. The term katelaben is normally translated “understand” or “grasp” but can also in context be translated “overcome.” Either way one translates it here, both are true.
John 1:14
The logos becomes a human. The Greek term here is not soma but sarx. Thus, the implication may be that the logos did not merely become a physical being, soma. More than that, the logos takes on full humanity and identifies as becoming sarx (flesh), which is used exclusively for fallen humanity—with the exception that the logos is without sin.
The Greek term for the Old Testament Tabernacle is skene, and here it is in its verb form, eskenosen. Thus, the verse is literally saying that Jesus “tabernacled among us.” This is significant and means that the incarnation of the logos becomes the living human tabernacle of YHWH walking among us on earth.
The followers of this incarnated logos now testify that they have seen the glory of this singularly unique incarnation from God the Father.
John 1:17
Contrasting Moses and the Law, this incarnation of God, now identified as Jesus Christ, brings a new revelation (?) of grace and truth.
