Logos n.
The Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order,
identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity
incarnate in Jesus Christ.
"Logos"
is a Greek term that has various meanings depending on the context in
which it's used. One of its primary meanings is "word" or "speech" in
Greek. It carries connotations of rational discourse, communication,
and expression.
In
ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Heraclitus and
later in Stoic philosophy, "logos" took on a deeper philosophical
significance. It was used to describe the principle of order and
knowledge that governs the universe, often associated with reason,
logic, and the divine. Consequently it became the principle
of reason and judgement, associated with the animus in Jungian
pshchology.
In
Christian theology, "Logos" refers to the Word of God, as mentioned in
the Gospel of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God." Here, "Logos" is understood as the
divine, creative force through which God brings about creation and
communicates with humanity.
The Gospel of John relates that Jesus is the incarnated Word of God
bringing "Grace
and Truth,"
replacing the commandments of Moses and making God known in the world
(1:17)
In
modern contexts, "logos" can refer more broadly to a symbol, emblem, or
graphic representation that represents an organization, brand, or
concept. For example, a company's logo is a visual representation of
its brand identity and values.
Overall,
"logos" is a versatile term that spans philosophical, religious, and
contemporary contexts, embodying concepts of reason, communication, and
identity across different cultures and disciplines.
