Kosmas Damianides
04-08-2005, 01:41 AM
How do we understand Logos (LOGOS) in the English language? I often feel that the depth of of the Greek term 'Logos' is lost by it's translation into the term 'The Word'.
Logos in ancient times was not so much in reference to that which is written. The term lexi, was used for this. It is where one gets the term Lexicon. Logos was often in reference to that which was communicated by oral mode, by speach.
But Logos does not simply denote the spoken word, in fact, it actualy refers more precisely to the process of 'thought' and 'reasoning', it is more closely related to the logiki, logic or nous, the mind.
In the mind of the Fathers, therefore, Logos is not 'word' in the sense of a sound spoken or characters on a page written in a book. It is purpose, plan concept, reason, perhaps even 'reason' itself.
So although the term Logos may relate to all three modes of communication,
1. the written word and 2. the spoken word but most importantly the process of the very conception of the word (which for us who are human) would be from the Nous or Mind, the English term 'Word' only specifically denotes two modes of communication, 1) by mouth - spoken, and 2) by pen - written.
It is no wonder then that 'it' (the Word of God) for Protestants exists in a Book as if He were their prisoner, but for the Orthodox He is also (and more importantly)present everywhere, including our prayers and worship, our mysteries our clergy our icons and our bodies and our minds, the very fabric of the Cosmos, reaching the ends of the Universe and filling the heavens from now and for ever and to the ages of ages.
AMEN
Glory to God
Logos in ancient times was not so much in reference to that which is written. The term lexi, was used for this. It is where one gets the term Lexicon. Logos was often in reference to that which was communicated by oral mode, by speach.
But Logos does not simply denote the spoken word, in fact, it actualy refers more precisely to the process of 'thought' and 'reasoning', it is more closely related to the logiki, logic or nous, the mind.
In the mind of the Fathers, therefore, Logos is not 'word' in the sense of a sound spoken or characters on a page written in a book. It is purpose, plan concept, reason, perhaps even 'reason' itself.
So although the term Logos may relate to all three modes of communication,
1. the written word and 2. the spoken word but most importantly the process of the very conception of the word (which for us who are human) would be from the Nous or Mind, the English term 'Word' only specifically denotes two modes of communication, 1) by mouth - spoken, and 2) by pen - written.
It is no wonder then that 'it' (the Word of God) for Protestants exists in a Book as if He were their prisoner, but for the Orthodox He is also (and more importantly)present everywhere, including our prayers and worship, our mysteries our clergy our icons and our bodies and our minds, the very fabric of the Cosmos, reaching the ends of the Universe and filling the heavens from now and for ever and to the ages of ages.
AMEN
Glory to God