Biblical, Methods of Interpretations of the Word logos Signifies in classical Greek both "reason" and "word." The translation "thought" is probably the best equivalent for the Greek term since it denotes, on the one hand, the faculty of reason, or the thought inwardly conceived in the mind; and, on the other hand, the thought outwardly expressed through the vehicle of language, written or spoken. hermeneutics The branch of theology that deals with principles of interpretation of words, keeping in mind words are an outward expression of thoughts (logos)! exegesis An explanation or critical analysis of text (especially text of the Bible) using hermeneutics. Exegesis vs Eisegesis Interpretations! http://lampbroadcast.org/Books/TOE.pdf pg 336 By Arlen Chitwood Two Anglicized Greek words are sometimes used to call attention to correct and incorrect methods of Biblical study and interpretation — exegesis and eisegesis. The Greek prepositions ek [meaning, “out of”] and eis [meaning, “into”] are prefixed to the same word, which, without the prepositions, means “to guide” or “to lead.” Exegesis has to do with deriving out of a passage that which is within the passage. In Rev. 17-19a, exegesis allows Scripture to comment upon and identify the harlot woman. And, at every turn, Scripture [O.T. or N.T.], reveals that “the great whore” is a metaphor for Israel at the end of the Times of the Gentiles [ref. Chapter XXVII in this book]. Eisegesis, on the other hand, has to do with placing into a passage that which is not in the passage. Eisegesis, rather than allowing Scripture to identify the harlot woman in Rev. 17-19a, reads a foreign meaning into the passage, usually identifying “the great whore” as a metaphor for a false religious system, often seen as the Roman Catholic Church. And this type mishandling of the passage is no small thing. Not only does such a teaching do away with the correct understanding of the passage but such a teaching has the Times of the Gentiles ending in the New Testament after a fashion which is completely out of line with the way in which the Times of the Gentiles is seen being brought to a close throughout Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets. apologetics The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines by the systematic use of reason. Religious apologetics is the effort to show that the preferred faith is not irrational, that believing in it is not against human reason and that in fact the religion (Logos) Page 1 of 4 contains values and promotes ways of life more in accord with human nature than other faiths or beliefs. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lo·gos (l g s , l g s ) n. 1. Philosophy a. In pre-Socratic philosophy, the principle governing the cosmos, the source of this principle, or human reasoning about the cosmos. b. Among the Sophists, the topics of rational argument or the arguments themselves. c. In Stoicism, the active, material, rational principle of the cosmos; nous. Identified with God, it is the source of all activity and generation and is the power of reason residing in the human soul. 2. Judaism a. In biblical Judaism, the word of God, which itself has creative power and is God's medium of communication with the human race. b. In Hellenistic Judaism, a hypostasis associated with divine wisdom. 3. Christianity In Saint John's Gospel, especially in the prologue (1:1-14), the creative word of God, which is itself God and incarnate in Jesus. Also called Word. [Greek; see leg- in Indo-European roots.] logos [ˈlɒgɒs] n (Philosophy) Philosophy reason or the rational principle expressed in words and things, argument, or justification; esp personified as the source of order in the universe [from Greek: word, reason, discourse, from legein to speak] Logos [ˈlɒgɒs] n (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) Christian theol the divine Word; the second person of the Trinity incarnate in the person of Jesus Noun 1. Logos - the divine word of God; the second person in the Trinity (incarnate in Jesus) Son, Word logarithm - From Greek logos, "reckoning, ratio," and arithmos, "number." See also related terms for reckoning. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The New Testament Greek Lexicon Strong's Number G3056 from G3004 (Logos) Page 2 of 4 1. of speech a. a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea b. what someone has said 1. a word 2. the sayings of God 3. decree, mandate or order 4. of the moral precepts given by God 5. Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets 6. what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim c. discourse 1. the act of speaking, speech 2. the faculty of speech, skill and practice in speaking 3. a kind or style of speaking 4. a continuous speaking discourse - instruction d. doctrine, teaching e. anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative f. matter under discussion, thing spoken of, affair, a matter in dispute, case, suit at law g. the thing spoken of or talked about; event, deed 2. its use as respect to the MIND alone a. reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating b. account, i.e. regard, consideration c. account, i.e. reckoning, score d. account, i.e. answer or explanation in reference to judgment e. relation, i.e. with whom as judge we stand in relation 1. reason would f. reason, cause, ground 3. In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John 1. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++ Strong's G3056 log'-os From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work. (Logos) Page 3 of 4 G3004 legō leg'-o A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean: - ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. Theology [thee-awl''-uh-gee] (Greek theos, “God” + Greek - logia, “speaking”) A reasoned study of God. Theology is a set of intellectual and emotional commitments with regard to God and man which dictate one’s beliefs and actions. Theology is intellectual in that it provides for a reasoned study and defense of one’s beliefs about God. Theology is emotional in that we approach the subject as humans with deep subjective commitments to our personal experiences and feelings about God. (Logos) Page 4 of 4