Renewing Your Mind: Episode Summary – "Logos"

Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Guest: R.C. Sproul
Podcast: Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries

Introduction to the Episode

In this enlightening episode of Renewing Your Mind, hosted by Nathan W. Bingham, listeners are introduced to the profound theological concept of Logos through portions of R.C. Sproul's series, Names of Jesus. Focusing on the title Logos, Sproul delves deep into its historical, philosophical, and theological significance, bridging ancient Greek philosophy with New Testament teachings.

Understanding Logos in Ancient Greek Philosophy

[00:00] Nathan W. Bingham begins by highlighting the ancient Greeks' introduction of the concept of Logos, which they considered the ultimate knowable truth. He states:

"The ancient Greeks introduced the idea of science. They claimed there was an ultimate knowable truth, and they called it Logos."
— Nathan W. Bingham [00:00]

R.C. Sproul elaborates on the scientific conviction of seeking knowledge, emphasizing that without an underlying order (Logos), science and understanding would be impossible:

"The conviction of every scientist is that there is knowledge at the end of the tunnel of investigation, that the reality that we encounter is knowable science is possible, which is to say, knowledge is possible."
— R.C. Sproul [00:09]

Logos in the New Testament and Early Church Thought

As Nathan W. Bingham introduces the episode, he references the Gospel of John, where Logos is presented as both with God and as God:

"In the beginning was the Word or the Logos, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
— Nathan W. Bingham [00:31]

R.C. Sproul continues by exploring the rarity and significance of the title Logos in the New Testament. He notes that while Logos appears infrequently, it became a central focus for early church theologians who sought to articulate the nature of Christ amidst a predominantly Greek philosophical landscape:

"The title Logos... became the chief focal point of interest in the work of the theologians of the first 300 years of church history."
— R.C. Sproul [01:22]

Sproul explains how early Christian apologists leveraged the concept of Logos as a bridge to communicate Christian truths to a pagan intellectual world dominated by Greek philosophy.

The Dual Meaning of Logos and Its Linguistic Legacy

R.C. Sproul delves into the linguistic roots of Logos, explaining its translation and derivative forms in the English language:

"The simple translation of the word logos is the English word 'Word'."
— R.C. Sproul [02:45]

He further connects Logos to various academic disciplines ending in -ology, such as biology (study of life) and psychology (study of the mind), highlighting how Logos signifies the study or expression of God.

Sproul also touches on the term logic, illustrating a misinterpretation by some philosophers who equated Logos directly with reason:

"He read a translation... 'In the beginning was the logic, and logic was with God, and logic was God.'"
— R.C. Sproul [04:30]

Philosophical Context: Arche and the Quest for Ultimate Reality

The discussion transitions to the Greek concept of arche (ἀρχή), meaning beginning or chief, which the Greeks used to seek the ultimate substance or principle of the universe. Sproul outlines the Greeks' pursuit of understanding arche and how it relates to their conception of Logos:

"The ancient Greek philosophers... were asking some very significant questions... What is ultimate reality?"
— R.C. Sproul [06:10]

He explains the dichotomy between pluralism (multiple fundamental substances) and monism (a single fundamental substance) in Greek philosophy and how these theories attempted to explain the unity and diversity of the cosmos.

Logos as the Personal and Incarnate Word of God

A pivotal moment in the episode is when Sproul contrasts the Greek philosophical Logos with the Christian understanding introduced in the Gospel of John. He emphasizes the revolutionary Christian claim that Logos is not an impersonal force but a personal being who became incarnate:

"John... fills it with Hebrew meaning and announces something absolutely unthinkable."
— R.C. Sproul [15:20]

Sproul underscores the significance of the Logos being both with God and being God, setting the foundation for the doctrine of the Incarnation:

"The eternal Logos has become flesh and pitches his tent among his people. This is Emmanuel, God with us."
— R.C. Sproul [23:45]

He highlights the Greek discomfort with the idea of a physical incarnation, which contrasted sharply with their belief in a purely spiritual realm.

Conclusion: Logos as Jesus Christ

Nathan W. Bingham concludes the main content by reiterating the profound meaning encapsulated in the title Logos and affirming that it refers to Jesus Christ:

"So much packed into the little title Logos. And that Logos is Jesus Christ."
— Nathan W. Bingham [24:14]

He encourages listeners to delve deeper into Sproul's teachings by accessing the full series.

Additional Resources and Closing Remarks

After the in-depth discussion, Nathan provides information on how listeners can access the full Names of Jesus series by donating or visiting the website. He also teases the next episode, which will explore Jesus as Savior, encouraging continued engagement with the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• R.C. Sproul [01:22]: "We've looked at the title Messiah or Christ... Now, the title that we're going to be looking at today is one that is almost obscure in the New Testament."

• R.C. Sproul [06:10]: "The ancient Greek philosophers... were asking some very significant questions... What is ultimate reality?"

• R.C. Sproul [15:20]: "John... fills it with Hebrew meaning and announces something absolutely unthinkable."

• R.C. Sproul [23:45]: "The eternal Logos has become flesh and pitches his tent among his people. This is Emmanuel, God with us."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Renewing Your Mind offers a comprehensive exploration of the term Logos, unveiling its rich theological implications and historical context. By bridging ancient philosophy with Christian doctrine, R.C. Sproul provides listeners with a deeper appreciation of Jesus Christ's identity and the profound mystery of the Incarnation.

For those seeking to strengthen their understanding of Scripture and apply its timeless truths, this episode serves as a valuable resource in the journey of renewing the mind.