Law And Order
In the beginning was the Word, . . . John 1:1
Word – Almost all Christians are familiar with the Greek term logos. Its significance in Christian theology is beyond dispute. Most theologians recognize that the meaning of logos in the New Testament is not the same as the classical Greek use of logos. The difference is crucial, especially since John is not laboring under Hellenism’s influence. John uses logos in the same way that Hebrew uses dabar. But far too often, our Greek-based worldview determines how we read and understand this text in spite of the fact that we know John’s worldview isn’t Greek. We simply don’t know how to see things any differently, even when it comes to fundamental concepts like logos.
But we want to know! We seek God’s point-of-view. We want to understand who He is. We are not satisfied with the standard surface explanations. We desire depth. And so we must push the boundaries of our own worldview and try to step into John’s shoes.
First, we must articulate the Greek idea of logos. Logos is not simply word, utterance or revelation. To the Greeks, logos is the rational principle of power that provides us with the intelligible law of reality. In other words, the Greeks assumed that behind all observable things and events was a fundamental rationality which made these things and events intelligible to human beings. This fundamental rationality is the true existence buried in the observable thing. Knowledge is the recognition of this law of all things, and this is called logos. All men serve the law of logos by the very fact that they are rational beings. Logos pervades all that can be known, and therefore, all that is for human understanding. Christians who were influenced by this Greek idea read John’s word logos as if John were equating the Christ with this eternal rational principle of being. The equation was very appealing since it neatly combined Greek philosophy with biblical language. But, of course, it could only do so if we ignore John’s Jewish roots.
In Hebrew, logos is the translation for dabar. But logos is a noun – a thing – while dabar is an action. Dabar is not an eternal principle of rationality. Dabar is not a concept. It is purposeful acting. It is the speaking act that names. Naming is the act of identifying the essence of something and causing it to be as a purpose in the life-world. For ancient Semitic thinking, the word spoken and the thing identified are identical. This identity is the result of the connection between the power of speech and the identification of purpose. God names the light and it is. It is not named as a “thing.” It is named as a purpose. Its purpose is to separate. Removing the purpose is the same as causing it not to be. So we see that the Hebrew dabar is far more than a rational law. It is a constituting act. In the beginning, the purposeful, constituting act of God was manifest. This purposeful, constituting act eventually became manifest in the man Yeshua. All of this fulfilled the purpose of dabar.
Does this mean that Hebrew dabar is not rational (as some existential theologians would like to claim)? Of course not. God has constituted the world as rational and, thanks to His law and order, we are able to discern the nature of His world. But rational is not the same as knowable. One category of the rational is mystery. While we believe that a universe created by an ordering God is open to rational investigation, that is not the same as saying that we can know all about it. Some things remain mysteries, not because they are irrational, but because they exceed our grasp. For the Greeks, the rational is the real. For the Hebrews, reality exceeds our ability to comprehend. Life is not completely open to human investigation. We live with mystery because God is not like a man.
Perhaps we need to reassess our Greek worldview influence on even the most familiar of verses. Perhaps it isn’t quite as obvious as we imagined.
If logos is action with purpose, then God’s view of reality is about the purpose of all He creates. It all serves some end. As part of His creation, you and I also serve some end – or at least we are intended to do so. In the beginning was active purpose. That is still the character of all existence. The only question for us is this: what end do you serve? What purpose were you created to do? If you can’t answer that question, your life is aimless. How will be hit the mark with understanding the purpose for which you were made?
Topical Index: logos, dabar, word, mystery, rational, John 1:1
I am writing to request prayer for one of our members, Dr. Tom Bolan, of Aurora, Colorado. I have known him for a number of years now as a friend who played Jesus in Easter plays we both were in through our church, and as a patient, as he is also my chiropractor. He notified us earlier today that he has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and the Epstein-Barr virus secondary to exposure to black mold discovered in his home quite a while back. I’d like the community to lift up Dr. B in prayer to YHWH with expectation that he will be fully healed and recover from this set back. He is so ill at this point that he has had to bring in another chiropractor to temporarily take over his practice. I’d also like to request prayer for his family as he as his wife are raising their grandson, now 3 yo, along with having their youngest daughter at home, Allison, who is 16. Thanks to everyone and especially Adonai beforehand for the complete and total healing and recovery of our beloved brother.
Adonai- thank you for this wonderful testimony and witness about your servant Dr. Tom Bolan. Thank you Father for the lives he has touched through his relationship with you. We praise you our merciful and compassionate G-d for the way you have used Dr. Tom in your kingdom’s work here on earth. Thank you for his ministry to the body of Christ. I ask this morning- at your request, that You, mighty G-d, Healer of the nations and the G-d who not only hears and answers prayer, but is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think, would extend your hand of mercy and grace toward this dear brother, and reveal unto him your compassionate hand. Deliver him and set him free is our prayer unto You today. This I ask, because of your invitation to us to pray for one another, and because Calvary and the torn veil of the temple made this prayer possible. In the name which is above every name, I ask this to be so. Amen.
Thank you Carl for sharing this beautiful prayer that not only models how to offer up a bold (yet humble) prayer request to our heavenly father but also reminds us of how desirous He is to hear and answer our requests. I join you in this prayer/praise for Doctor Tom.
The Apostle Paul (Rabbi Shaul) wrote these words found in Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
I (a Gentile by my first birth) am so grateful this “gospel” was given “both” unto the Jew and also to the Greek. I am so grateful for the connecting words “and also.”
Yes, our Bible clearly states- “G-d so loved the world, He gave..” And again (and again..) “whosoever will” may come. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
For some (unknown) reason we hesitate to “enter in.” Did G-d really say “come unto me “all” you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest?” Are these His words? Do we doubt what He has said or do we doubt the One who said these words?
“To the Jew first.” A Messianic Jew is twice-blessed. Not only the first birth, but also the second! Israel always has been and always will be the “chosen ones” of YHWH. Our G-d is a covenant-speaking G-d and a covenant-keeping G-d. His word(s) are eternal. When G-d speaks, His word is unchangeable and forever.
“G-d, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.” (Hebrews 12.1,2)
The G-d Who speaks. Amen. Word of G-d speak. Amen. In every conversation between two- someone speaks and someone listens. If “any man” have ears to hear- let him hear. “Faith comes by hearing.” Are we listening to His word(s)? -“Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” “Shema, O Israel.”
I am meeting with a few followers of Yeshua in the morning and we have been reflecting on our purpose for meeting. After reading this, it struck me that our meeting cannot be anything other that the flow of who we are as is illuminated by this study of the word dabar. What a joy when our biblical understanding becomes clear in its practicality and poignant simplicity!
“While we believe that a universe created by an ordering God is open to rational investigation, that is not the same as saying that we can know all about it. Some things remain mysteries, not because they are irrational, but because they exceed our grasp.”
I recall an evocative phrase in one of Francis Schaeffer’s books (The God Who Is There?); writing about scripture, he said it is “true” truth, but not exhaustive truth.
So…what happens to purpose in an individual’s life if that individual is knocked down by disease and can’t function, including difficulty in thinking?
“what happens to purpose”
Hi Darlene,
Nothing ever happens to purpose, it always remains the same.
What to do when we are feeling knocked down, can’t function, having difficulty thinking?
I often put on a movie like Collateral and listen to the sage advice of Tom Cruise teaching Jamie Foxx how to endure the most difficult circumstances:
Vincent: Now we gotta make the best of it, improvise, adapt to the environment, Darwin, I Ching, whatever man, we gotta roll with it.
Max: I Ching? …
It almost always makes me smile 🙂
Michael, uhmmmm. mulling it over. Uh! OH! THANKS! 🙂
“uhmmmm”
Hi Darlene,
Uh! OH!, based on your response, I’m guessing you already know where I’m going 🙂
You’ve probably heard that the “humming” sound is associated with Mem (the Hebrew letter M).
And that Mem is associated with water and Chakhmah consciousness (wisdom) .
Mem or “uhmmmm” is not unlike the Indian “Om” chant; the so called cosmic vibration.
I would think that “mulling it over” or meditating on it probably has a similar effect.
Getting back to Collateral, the hero is named Max Durocher and he drives a yellow cab.
Max is a very meticulous man and a first rate cab driver, but he lacks “fire in the belly.”
What the Indians refer to as “Hom.”
To calm his nerves, Max meditates on a picture of the Maldive Isles pasted above his rear view mirror.
Max is a good guy.
But to become the hero, Max must learn what the management guru, Steven Covey, calls The 8th Habit.
To move from effectiveness to “greatness,” Max must first find the Door (the Hebrew letter D).
And then Max must “break on through to the other side.” (The Doors)
The Catalyst, which will propel Max headlong down the path to greatness, comes to him in the form of an adversary.
His adversary is played by Tom Cruise as Vincent; a hit man who seems to be a combination of the Terminator and Ha Satan.
After scaring Max half to death, Vincent intoduces Max to his model of greatness.
The jazz musician, Miles Davis.
Michael, I’m intrigued now…so I plan to rent the movie Collateral since I haven’t seen it yet. And I’ll be attentive and watch for the lessons. And I may as well listen to Miles Davis, too. There’s several coincidences in your replies to my comments. I’ve taken Steven Covey’s course. And my daughter-in-law is from India. And I seek Wisdom. Thank you for communicating with me.
Hi Darlene,
Well I hope you like the movie, it is a little too long and violent for some folks.
But but I like Michael Mann (Director) a lot; he also directed two other favorites of mine:
– Heat (1995)
– The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Speaking of movies and Steven Covey, The 8th Habit comes with a DVD and a film “Max & Max” introduced on p.17:
“Before Moving Deeper, I would like to illustrate the nature of the problem we’ve been discussing with a great little film called Max & Max. It’s the fictional story of Max the hunting dog (a yellow lab) and Max the customer service rep.”
I have seen the movie, and while there are insights into human behavior and human circumstances, the general ethical stance is the lack of human dignity. It is a very dark movie, portraying life without higher purpose. Man is more than survival, more than a human concept of right and wrong. Heschel has the right statement. “The question is not “To be or not to be.” The question is how to be or how not to be.” “What does God demand of me?” is life’s greatest question.
“It is a very dark movie, (Collateral) portraying life without higher purpose.”
Hi Skip,
Although I don’t want to overstate the aesthetic or moral value of Collateral, I do think the movie attempts to serve a higher purpose.
On the one hand, it is your typical Hollywood tale of how good can and should triumph over evil.
On the other, it employs the narrative structure of the classic love story; calling to my mind Dante’s love for Beatrice and Don Quixote’s love for Dulcinea, for example.
And Max’s trip into the Mexican Bar, where he must confront Felix, the ring leader of the drug cartel, is not unlike Dante’s descent into the fiery Inferno.
In mythical terms, Max must be tested by fire before he can become the hero, and be a worthy mate for the “object of his desire.”
In this hero’s journey, Max must transform himself from a fearful, model of mediocrity who is living a lie, to a fighter for truth, justice, and love.
When we first meet Annie, she is way “out of his league;” a best of breed District Attorney who describes how she overcomes her fears every day in court where she serves the Law and Order.
From our first impression, we can see that this little woman, played by Jada Pinkette Smith, is a Model of Discipline.
I’m not crazy about the ending myself, so I’ll leave my defence of this movie with a quote from Bono:
“You say love is a temple, love a higher law.”
Gratitude, prayer, meditation on Him, breathing life in and out, listening, intercession for others, remembering – none of these change. In fact, since each one can be an act of righteousness, you are never without purpose. Your circumstances are perfectly designed to bring about the Kingdom where you are.
Thank you, Skip. That’s reassuring as well as a great reminder. I’m going to print your comment and place it where I can see it often. Bless you.
“God names the light and it is. It is not named as a “thing.” It is named as a purpose. Its purpose is to separate.”
Hi Skip,
Thank you for using “light” as an example. Seeing this really opens my understanding up on yet one more hazy concept – blessings.
Wow Skip, for the past three days you have been talking about what my friends and I have been discussing here in Israel!
I feel Gentile Messianic believers are biblically and prophetically part of Israel. The term Gentile is used here to refer to those not of Jewish descendancy, because that is what non-Jews are called in popular speech.
Gathering of the Gentiles to Israel
Neither let the son of the foreigner, that has joined himself to YHVH, speak, saying, YHVH has utterly separated me from His people…—Isaiah 56:3
Also the sons of the foreigner, that join themselves to YHVH, to serve him, and to love the name of YHVH, to be his servants, every one who keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of My covenant, even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon My altar, for My house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Adonai YHVH who gathers the outcasts of Israel says, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered to him.”—Isaiah 56:6-8
The nekar (foreigner) is used of the Gentiles throughout scripture. The Gentile who has joined himself to YHVH is not to even say that he is separated from His people Israel. Notice that these foreigners are gathered to Israel, and they are sabbath keepers. Yeshua quotes the latter part of this scripture in His cleansing of the Temple. In context, this shows that the “house of prayer for all people” is for those who are gathered to Israel only.
Attachment of Rightoues Gentiles with Righteous Jews
Yes, many people and strong nations shall come to seek YHVH of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before YHVH. Thus declares YHVH of hosts, In those days ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, they even shall take hold of the garment [talit] of the one who is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that Elohim is with you.”—Zechariah 8:22,23
No doubt that righteous Jews are to lead righteous Gentiles by example into the proper expression of worship to YHVH, “for salvation is of the Jews.” This is instead of the backwards way it has been attempted for many centuries. If righteous Jews and Gentiles may pray together before YHVH, then they have the same covenant of Israel together.
Messianic Gentiles are Part of the “Holy Nation.”
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people for His possession, that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.—1 Peter 2:9-10
Here Kefa (Peter) uses the same prophecy in Hosea to show that Messianic Believers, whether Jews or no-Jews, are Israel, even giving all Believers the private and exclusive label only Israel was given by YHVH as a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation.”
Messianic Gentiles Brought into the Commonwealth of Israel
That at that time you were without the Messiah, being foreigners from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world. But now, by Yeshua the Messiah, you who were at one time far away have been brought back [to Israel] through the [sprinkled] blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.—Ephesians 2:12-14
As Moshe (Moses) confirmed Israel into covenant by the sprinkling of blood, so all who are sprinkled by acceptance of the blood of Messiah are also confirmed into Israel. For which is greater confirmation, the blood of bulls and goats, or the blood of Messiah? What does sacrifice even mean without one being Israel? Any nation who sacrifices besides Israel is pagan and Godless in their sacrifice. For a sacrifice to be legitimate, it requires the receiver to be in covenant with Elohim through the promises made only to Israel.
Messianic Gentiles are Warned to Stay in Israel.
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree. Boast not against the branches. But if you boast [remember], you do not bear the root, but the root bears you.—Roman 11:16-18
For if Elohim spared not the natural branches, be careful, in case He also does not spare you. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of Elohim, on those who fell, severity, but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness, otherwise you also will be cut off. And they [natural branches] also, if they do not stay in unbelief, shall be grafted in, for Elohim is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, in case you should become wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away unrighteousness from Jacob. For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.—Roman 11:16-18
The Olive Tree is Israel. The root is Elohim and Mashiach. The grafted in wild olive branches are Messianic Gentiles. As long as they remain in Israel, without being arrogant of their position, they are safe and receive nourishment from the root. It is very important for Messianic Gentiles to see themselves, humbly and thankfully, as a part of Israel. Of the natural branches, the Jewish people, some have been broken off from the nurishment of the root, but not all, and Elohim will gladly graft back again the ones broken off.
Those who say they believe in Israel’s Messiah, yet do not want to be a part of Israel (continue in His goodness), are in danger of being cast off. For this reason we are seeing the return of the Jewish people to their own Olive Tree of Israel.
Also, to be broken off requires the knowledgeable act of unbelief. The natural branches who have not known or heard of the true Messiah of Israel are not broken off. Most Jewish people today have not yet heard about their Jewish Messiah Yeshua in truth. Rejection of a Catholic or Baptist Jesus is NOT rejection of the true nature of Israel’s Messiah. Therefore, most Jewish people remain in the covenant promises, even though partially blinded. Gentile Beleivers who do not realize this are arrogant against them, and themselves are partially blinded. Once the fulness of the Gentiles come into Israel the blindness on all parts will lift, then all of Israel, Jews and non-Jews, will be saved together, by the Deliverer, Yeshua. He is the very one who has turned away unrighteousness from Jacob, not from the world at large. The truly righteous person must accept their covenant place in Jacob, through Messiah, which is confirmed through His removal of their sin.
We need to keep in mind that our Lord Yeshua was not executed by crucifixion just randomly. It was the Greek later Roman = Western method of execution, thus we need to think about the metaphor behind the chosen method. We all know the symbolism of the Cross, but the Greek STAUROS is the wooden pole, later the cross version was used by the Romans, so the origins are clear for the sake of this comment. – My point is that the CROSS/STAUROS is the eternal metaphor for the Greek/Roman/Western logos, the constant struggle of the Truth BEING tortured (in the sense of constant questioning of the reasons behind the God’s will and order, by us), and the constant struggle of man in his confined comprehension of the ordering… the struggle of crooked personal perception of good and evil/right and wrong dictated and fulled by human egoism and selfishness, against the constant goodness of the Dabar. For everything is created good, it is us who question this. Cross – Logos. We will never stop crucifying Dabar onto Logos.
It’s been seven years since I wrote this so things have changed. To your comment I would only say, this allegorical interpretation might be useful, but it isn’t what’s in the text. Let’s try to understand the text in its own context first. Then maybe we can look for theological or philosophical extensions.