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| Subject: When did the "Logos become flesh?" | |
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Author: Theo Book (God Knows me, loves me still!) |
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Date Posted: 11:29:09 12/21/08 Sun CHRONOLOGICAL NEW TESTAMENT Why do we need a Chronological New Testament? Because when people read the New Testament, they will get a much better understanding of what took place in the first century church, and how doctines developed, as they read about how problems were solved, and what problems were solved; which is a direct indication of what problems arose that required being solved. When the saints today read the synoptic gospels, in order to better understand the life of Christ, it is a mistake to suppose that understanding a chronological "Life of Christ" is going to do anything toward understanding how doctrines were developed in the first-century church. The first century Christians already knew the stories comprising the "life of Christ" and had no need for a chronologically ordered study thereof. If they did, the Holy Spirit would have arranged to inspire their writings in that order. He did not. It can be safely assumed that the Holy Spirit knew the eschatological needs of the saints sufficiently to order anything written that needed to be written. Since studying the New Testament in the approximate order in which they were presented by inspiration, I have come to a completely different understanding than I had when approaching doctrinal development from the perspective of the Life of Christ, through the writings of Paul, and finally to The Apokalypse of John, out of place at the end of the testament. When we approach understanding from the perspective of the first writing of the inspired author, we find ourselves viewing James' epistle to those first-generation Christians from among the Hebrew nation. They were already suffering from persecution coming from their brethren who had not made the conversion from Mosaic legalism to obey this Jesus of Nazareth who had stirred up so many family members some fifteen years previously. It is approximately 45 a.d. when James writes his tome, dealing with issues of importance to Hebrew citizens who had made the change to Christianity, and now have to be able to understand certain issues sufficiently to explain to their next-generation offspring. And even in some cases where relatives still make enquiry as to "why did you do it?" of their kinfolk, referencing their conversion of years earlier. James is instructing his readers about works and faith, and works of the law and faith. Some had earlier gone from Jerusalem to Galatia and stirred up controversy over circumcision and keeping the law of Moses, for Christians. In 48 A.D., when Christians read Paul's epistle to the Galatians, what was their understanding about "the Logos of God?" Can it be determined from a reading of scripture today? Of course it can. All one has to do is understand the chronology of the order of the epistles and gospels as they were viewed by the readers of that day. God appointed one person to fulfill the "Logos of God." That one person was given a mission specifically designating him to "FULFILL THE LOGOS OF GOD." And he preached to the whole world that when they reached that level of perfection that it is no longer "I" that live but "Christ liveth in me," (That was the focus and scope of the logos of God) THAT is when the Logos was personified among men. THAT mission was given to the Apostle Paul. The sixtieth anniversary issue of Life Magazine, page 42, states: "Colonel Charles Lindbergh, who flew solo from the North American continent to Europe, is the American Dream made flesh." Now, I think it safe to say, we still recognize there is an "American Dream." And that the American Dream can still be personalized and personified and lived among men to this day. The whole point here is to demonstrate how the development of the personification of the Logos was understood by the first generation Christians. In 48 A.D. Paul preached "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." [Gal 2:20] See the personification of the logos in Christians as Christ lives in THEM? THAT was God's plan in the beginning of the new covenant. And THAT is what Paul preached to THE WHOLE WORLD. Twelve years later, in 60 A.D. Paul says he was given a commision to "FULFILL THE LOGOS OF GOD," and, that he preached it to the whole world. "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which WAS PREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS UNDER HEAVEN; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:" [Col 1:23-24] PAUL SAYS HE WAS MADE A MINISTER TO FULFILL THE LOGOS OF GOD: "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to FULFILL THE LOGOS (word) OF GOD; Paul goes on to explain that the logos of God was hidden in a mystery, from ages and generations: 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;" [Col 1:25-27] And Paul tells us that this mystery, this "LOGOS OF GOD" is "CHRIST IN YOU," [Gal 2:20] and that this ("christ in you") is the hope of glory. "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" [Col 1:23-28] Not until 69 A.D. was the "logos of God" tied to Jesus, and that was by name. "The Logos of God" is NOT who Jesus was. It is a NAME Jesus was GIVEN. And the record of this transaction was not made public until 69 A.D. So the New Testament generation of Christians had no such understanding that "Jesus is the logos of God." AT LEAST 36 years (two generations) passed prior to John's writing of the apokolypse, in which he tells us of a name Jesus was given which NO MAN KNEW but he HIMSELF - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The LOGOS (Word) of God." [Rev 19:11-13] THIS IS THE LOGOS OF GOD; and THIS is how the first generation Christians had it presented to their understanding. Theo Book [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |