Moment in the Word

John 1:1-2 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

For many years, I have struggled with the Greek word "homoousios" that the Church Fathers debated at the first ecumenical council in Nicaea, 325 A.D., when they were trying to define the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. From this conclave, the doctrine of the Trinity arose.

Granted, I have believed in "a" trinity - God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, due to the Greek term "homoousios," my trinity was never THE TRINITY of the Nicene Creed; God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in being with the Father. The conflict arose from the claim of Jesus being the "same substance" as the Father (homoousios).

Let me explain...

There are two glaring examples (maybe more) where Jesus was not identical with/to the Father, thus seemingly refuting "homoousios."

1. Perfect knowledge: "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." (Matthew 24:36) The Son did not always know what the Father knew!

2. Common Will: "Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) The Son did not always want what the Father wanted!

Consequently, how could their substance be the same?

Today, I was once again struggling with "homoousios," the Son being the same substance of the Father.

BUT SUDDENLY I REALIZED WHERE MY PROBLEM RESTED! The conflict involved Jesus before the Incarnation and Jesus after the Incarnation. It was all a matter of time that distinguished "substance" from "identity," i.e., Jesus Christ - the same substance as the Father but not the same person as the Father.

Using a strictly natural analogy, the definition mirrors the relationship between any man and his son. Prior to conception (incarnation) a son is still part of the father! The son is there but unseen. The son will eventually come but not yet. Thus, being originally undefined, the son is still the same substance as the father - "homoousios."

Here is the essence of John 1:1-2, "IN THE BEGINNING was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God. He was with God IN THE BEGINNING." Note: this verse applies to the time period "IN THE BEGINNING."

Although the Greek "Logos/Word" represents the "creative expression" of God, yet without reading farther in John 1, we have absolutely no idea who the Logos actually is "in the beginning" because his identity is not well defined. By "being with God" and "being God" at the same time, the Logos is of the same substance as God "IN THE BEGINNING," but the sharp definition of His identity is murky/blurred.

Not until verse 14 do we discover, "The Word/Logos became FLESH (the Conception/Incarnation) and made his dwelling among us!"

Suddenly, the Logos is no longer a murky amalgamation of the Father, but stands apart having his own unique identity and form. Is He still the same substance as the Father? Yes (ignoring the mother's contribution). Regardless, He now has an identity of His own... like any man's son who represents the father that he came from. And so, John continues, "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Prior to the Incarnation, the Logos was the same substance as God - "homoousios." He was with God and He was God, but the person of Jesus Christ was not yet distinct/defined.

It could be said, "When God intervened to save my soul, my life FOREVER CHANGED!" I will never be the same because the Logos became flesh and took on the mark of my humanity. And, by so doing, the Logos was also forever changed when Christ's identity was established in a physical way! At that point, the Logos was uniquely the Son of God... rather than being an indistinguishable part of the Father! A child comes from the father's substance "homoousios," but upon conception/incarnation assumes a brand-new identity separate from the one who sired him.

Here is the revelation of St. Paul's words, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Philippians 2:6 That statement refers to the Logos who was "with God and was God" prior to the Incarnation "IN THE BEGINNING."

Then, Paul said... "But made Himself of no reputation (He forsook His original glory with the Father), taking the form of a bondservant (He abandoned His co-equal status with God and became subservient to His Father's will)... and coming in the likeness of men (He submitted to the Incarnation)... And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (He surrendered His newly-acquired mortality to be executed for my sin-guilt)." (Philippians 2:7-8)

After the Logos became flesh to identity with my humanity (rather than merely be a part of the Father) Jesus literally gave up EVERYTHING - from Heaven to Earth / from cradle to grave, to save my soul! And, from then on, Jesus Christ's identity would be unique from the Father... He would stand alone in His own right. He was the same substance as the Father, but uniquely identified for all future eternity as MY REDEEMER!

It is totally astounding what Christ (the Word/Logos) sacrificed to rescue me! He came all the way down for me, so that I could stand before the Father, clothed in the righteousness that Jesus first exclusively enjoyed during his pre-incarnate time of "homoousios."

The Act of Redemption that forever changed my life... also forever changed the Logos. The Logos can never go back to being what He was before... and I can't either, or else my Redemption will be destroyed. But that's IMPOSSIBLE!

Since the "Word became flesh," the Logos is different, at least in one small way. If nothing else, "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same tests we do, yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15) This statement could not have been made before the Incarnation; thus, the Logos has changed from being God's sympathy to being God's empathy. Sympathy and empathy are NOT the same, neither is the Logos - before and after the Incarnation!

The transformation of the Logos that also transformed me is like a spiritual marriage! The two have become one flesh... a perfect representation of Christ and His Redeemed Bride - the Universal Church!

In conclusion, my former definition of "a" trinity - God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Ghost, has officially changed to the Nicene definition of "the" Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, because of a new appreciation for "homoousios."