The Word

Don Carson, from The God Who Is There, on John’s use of the term “Word” to refer to Jesus in chapter 1 of his gospel:

[T]he term “Word” is an interesting choice. What title or metaphorical expression should be applied to Jesus in the opening verses of John’s Gospel? I can imagine various possibilities going round and round in John’s head. But at some point John remembers, for example, that in the Old Testament we frequently read expressions like this: “The word of the Lord came to the prophet, saying… .” So God disclosed himself by his word in revelation. Then perhaps he remembers Genesis 1: God spoke, and the world came into being; otherwise put, by the word of the Lord the heavens and earth were made (see Ps. 33:6). So here we have God’s word in creation. Elsewhere, biblical writers speak of God sending forth his word to heal and help and transform his People (see for example Ps 107:20). All these things God’s word accomplishes: by his word, God reveals, he creates, he transforms, and John thinks to himself, “Yes, that’s the appropriate expression that summarizes all who Jesus is.” He is God’s self-expression, God’s revelation; he is God’s own agent in creation; and he comes to save and transform God’s people.

I’ve listened to all of the talks on which this book is based and recommend them. I’ve read some of the book, and recommend it, too, especially because the talks are dense, so it’s good to be able to work through the materially slowly and think on it, bit by bit, as the explanations build.

And now, if you prefer, you can watch the talks on free video made available recently by The Gospel Coalition. Here’s how the series of talks is described there:

This series will serve the church well because it simultaneously evangelizes non-Christians and edifies Christians by explaining the Bible’s storyline in a non-reductionistic way. The series is geared toward “seekers” and articulates Christianity in a way that causes hearers either to reject or embrace the gospel. It’s one thing to know the Bible’s storyline, but it’s another to know one’s role in God’s ongoing story of redemption. “The God Who Is There” engages people at the worldview-level.

The link in the quote is added by me. How could I resist?

If you are already a believer, don’t let the “geared toward ‘seekers’” thing throw you off. The lectures and book would be valuable to anyone who is a student of the Christian faith, and if you’re a believer, that should be you.

If you don’t have time for all the lectures, consider listening or viewing only The God Who Becomes a Human Being (the chapter/lecture that contains the above quoted bit) as part of your preparation for Christmas, our celebration of God becoming human.

Comments

[Lisa writes...]

Love this: All these things God’s word accomplishes: by his word, God reveals, he creates, he transforms, and John thinks to himself, “Yes, that’s the appropriate expression that summarizes all who Jesus is.” He is God’s self-expression, God’s revelation; he is God’s own agent in creation; and he comes to save and transform God’s people.

Yes and amen! Adding this book to my wishlist now!