The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 2: The Time Before Time • 77

greater than their teachings. For they did not know the whole of the Word—the Logos —which is Christ.” 14 “Who cares about philosophers?” said Preacher, “weren’t they the pagans?” “I believe our heavenly Father cares about them,” Justin Martyr replied. Preacher was quiet, and Justin Martyr explained at length that the Greek philosophers believed that God was so far beyond the material world that only a series of emanations or “waves from God” eventually led to creation. This was not the biblical view, he explained, but resulted from their belief that created matter was evil. “ Logos theology was an important step in the development of our doctrine of the Trinity,” added Father Greg. “It attempted to balance the Monarchy —One God—with the Economy —three Persons. “What would Turtle say about that?” asked Preacher, who was looking bored. “Turtle?” asked Father Greg. “Him,” said Preacher, pointing to Tertullian. Mentor called on Tertullian, who stood and recited. 14 See Justin Martyr, First Apology 32.8 (ANF 1,173); Second Apology , 8.1 (ANF 1, 191). See also J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines , Rev. Edition (Harper San Francisco, 1978), 96-97. In choosing logos , John probably had in mind the Old Testament word, dabar . Dabar is biblical Hebrew for word , a message , or a matter , as in the verse, “After these things the word ( dabar ) of the Lord came to Abraham” (Gen.15:1). In this sense, John identified Jesus as the word of God: Jesus was God’s message. For ancient philosophers, however, the logos was the very first emanation or wave from God, and the “DNA of creation.” Justin Martyr, himself a philosopher, used the familiar vocabulary to witness to the philosophers. Just as the Apostle Paul had declared “the unknown God” to the philosophers of Athens (Acts 17:23), Justin Martyr identified the logos of God as none other than Jesus. For more on the philosophical use of logos, see J.N.D. Kelly, pages 9-11.