When I come across "The Word of God" in the bible, how do I know whether it refers to Jesus or the bible itself?
This might be a stupid question, but I haven't been a christian for a very long time as sometime sit is very unclear to me.
Word of God? Jesus, the bible, or?
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_ladylenore
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Word of God? Jesus, the bible, or?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
It's not a stupid question. Actually, it's a very intelligent question. Many people never ask it, and merely assume that the phrase "the word of God" frequently refers to the bible.
The reality is that "the Word of God" as it is used in the bible never refers to the bible itself. It seems that this idea has come to us by theological reasoning relating to certain theological positions concerning the bible.
I think that the ways in which the expression "the word of God" is used in the bible, can be determined from the context. It is also important to understand that the word "logos" (translated as "word") has the primary meaning of "expression". So Jesus is said to be "the Word of God" in the sense that He expresses God. He is said to be "the exact expression of [God's] essence" (Hebrews 1:3). He is another One exactly like His Father.
"Logos" also means "word" in the sense that someone may say, "And now our friend Joe will give us a word" ---- that is, a speech or discourse.
It is written that "the word of God came to Isaiah". This means that God spoke to Isaiah in some manner, so that Isaiah was able to prophesy what God had revealed to him.
In the book of Acts, the expression "the word of God" refers to the good news or gospel which the apostles proclaimed.
If there is some particular scripture in which it is not clear to you as to the referent of "the word of God", you may want to share it with us, and some of us will probably suggest that to which it may refer, giving reasons of course.
The reality is that "the Word of God" as it is used in the bible never refers to the bible itself. It seems that this idea has come to us by theological reasoning relating to certain theological positions concerning the bible.
I think that the ways in which the expression "the word of God" is used in the bible, can be determined from the context. It is also important to understand that the word "logos" (translated as "word") has the primary meaning of "expression". So Jesus is said to be "the Word of God" in the sense that He expresses God. He is said to be "the exact expression of [God's] essence" (Hebrews 1:3). He is another One exactly like His Father.
"Logos" also means "word" in the sense that someone may say, "And now our friend Joe will give us a word" ---- that is, a speech or discourse.
It is written that "the word of God came to Isaiah". This means that God spoke to Isaiah in some manner, so that Isaiah was able to prophesy what God had revealed to him.
In the book of Acts, the expression "the word of God" refers to the good news or gospel which the apostles proclaimed.
If there is some particular scripture in which it is not clear to you as to the referent of "the word of God", you may want to share it with us, and some of us will probably suggest that to which it may refer, giving reasons of course.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Paidion
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
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Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Agape,
loaves
"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves...And they did all eat, and were filled" (Mark 6:41-42)
loaves
"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves...And they did all eat, and were filled" (Mark 6:41-42)