Jesus is “the Word.” Knowing this, and understanding what it means, is the start of knowledge. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 BC to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates arranging the universe. Greek philosophy went on to teach that mankind should seek this knowledge and it would lead to the understanding of the universe in which we live. Some of the Hebrew theology of Jesus’s time combine the Greek philosophy with more traditional teachings about godly wisdom and the law. However the more traditional Hebrew view was that “the word” was the written Scriptures; what we now know as the Old Testament.

One of the early complaints of the Hebrew leadership was that the Christian disciples were ignorant of the word. They had not completed intense studies of the Scriptures and were not educated in the same manner as the Pharisees and Scribes. The Hebrews accused Christians of not knowing the word of God. Accepting their definition, we have to admit that they were often right. The early members of the church were not biblical scholars; they were fishermen, tradesmen, slaves, soldiers and members of every other walk of life.

John drove a stake through the heart of the Hebrew argument. Jesus is “the Word.” The Scriptures are “the word of God”, but Jesus is God. John drove a stake through Greek philosophy. Yes the universe was created according to divine reason, but Jesus is divine reason. Jesus is the creator. Science and philosophy are good things. However seeking divine knowledge by science and philosophy is only capable of reviewing secondary knowledge about God. Studying Scripture and seeking godly wisdom and knowledge is a good thing. However once we know that Jesus is “the Word” placing our primary focus upon “the word of God” misses the mark.

Christian’s study Scripture, but not because it is primary. We study the word of God because it is a revelation of “the Word” who is God. Knowing Jesus is the start of all knowledge.