Editorial March 20, 1937 Issue

"The Word was with God"

George Shaw Cook

The word "Logos," in its theological meaning, is defined by Webster as follows: "The Word (that is, the actively expressed, creative, and revelatory thought and will) of God, at once distinguished from and identified with him." It evidently was used in that sense in the prologue to the fourth Gospel, which reads, in the Authorized Version, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." However, in a translation by James Moffatt of the verse under consideration, the last phrase is rendered, "The Logos was divine." Likewise, Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament defines Logos, in part, as follows: "The Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." These citations appear to agree with references made to "the Word" by Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and in some of her other writings.

In the first epistle of John we find these words: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." This passage agrees with what Mrs. Eddy says on page 331 of Science and Health: "Life, Truth, and Love constitute the triune Person called God,—that is, the triply divine Principle, Love. They represent a trinity in unity, three in one,—the same in essence, though multiform in office: God the Father-Mother; Christ the spiritual idea of sonship; divine Science or the Holy Comforter."

Therefore, in Christian Science, "the Word" may be regarded as synonymous with the Christ, "the spiritual idea of sonship," rather than as being a synonym for God. It was in this sense that Christ Jesus spoke of the truth, when he said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And at another time Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." It may have been with these words of the Master in thought that our Leader wrote the inspiring Communion Hymn, the first verse of which is as follows (Poems, p. 75):

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Notices
March 20, 1937
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit