Greek Heraclitus Logos

God's has always used His word to act and communicate throughout history. Even today, His powerful word operates on the hearts of men. The Greek word logos often means a word spoken (Logos Bible Software/ Lexham Theological Workbook). While this is usually the case, God speaks through actions as well. Within John's Gospel, he goes into great detail concerning God's word. Indeed, his goal is to show the divinity of Jesus (Jn 20:31). Borchert comments: "There is no question that the Greek Heraclitus saw in the common term logos a basic defining principle related to the ordering of the cosmos" (104). The author begins his discussion right off the bat in John chapter one explaining about this "word." Several things are noticed about this word.
The word was "in the beginning;" it was not just a temporal earthly human. When looking at the account of creation, God is seen speaking the elements into existence1.
Of all the various ways God could have chosen to create the world, He chose His word. There is power in the word (Gospel, Jesus). Paul said in Romans chapter one: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone . . . " (vs 16b). Paul uses the word dunamis (power) where we get our English word dynamite from. Certainly the spoken word of the gospel had several affects on people. After Peter's first sermon, the listeners were "pierced to the heart" (Acts 2:37). Paul's rebuke to the Corinthians led them toward "godly sorrow" (2 Cor 7:11). Indeed, God's word has had forceful impact for all Christians living today. Also in verse one, John writes that: "the word was with God . . . " This word was eternal and powerful just as God was and is. John slowly builds on the reader's understanding of who and what this word is. Not leaving the readers in suspense long, the author then point blank states: "the word was God." From a Jewish background where Monotheist was pushed, perhaps this was a very puzzling statement. Throughout the second verse, John keeps dropping hints on the magnitude of this "word." This word is stated as a "He." It's difficult for
physical minds to grasp the concept of the Trinity, but indeed the concept is seen throughout the Bible. At creation was formerly noted God creating through the word. Also in Genesis 1:26 the text says: “Let Us make man in Our image . . . " Who is the "us?" This us is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Gen 1:2). Paul describes how this "word" has the same preeminence that God Himself had (Phil 2:6). John now moves to showing the involvement of the word with creation. Through God's spoken word the creation came into being. Jesus is shown to be the channel through which God created the world. In this same chapter, John connects the two (Jn 1:14, 17). Paul also elaborates greatly concerning Jesus' role with creation in his Epistle to the Colossians (1:16). Does this powerful, influencing word, still has great relevance today? God has commanded that His word be spoken (Mt 28:19-20). God's word makes the difference between being saved and being condemned (Rom 10:14). The Hebrew writer mentions several things that God's word can do, it is: "living and active," piercing," "able to judge" (Heb 4:12). God's word still impacts lives everyday. When God spoke through the Prophets, their word was sure to come to pass. While it is important to present God's word well, the power is in the word- not the speaker. Johnson quoted: "He who marries the spirit of the age soon becomes a widow." -Dean Inge (9) The Gospel doesn't change, but presentation does. Yet while different methods may be employed, is reliance on the speaker or on God (1 Cor 3:6-7)? Many great man made achievements will pass into time such as nations and the Pyramids, "But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which was preached to you" (1 Pet 1:25). While preacher may get dogged for lack in presentation style, is that where the power is really at?