I'm working with some students in my church studying and translating
John 1. One of the most challenging things has been trying to come up
with a suitable translation for O LOGOS.
In all of the translations I can remember, this is just translated as
"the word". Of course, people that have been exposed to Biblical
teaching will probably have been taught some of the context and
connotations of the term, so they would understand it. But what about
those who have had little exposure to the Bible? Would they be able to
get any idea of the "content" meaning of "the word", or would they just
think of a spoken or written word (more like H RHMA)?
It seems like the more I study the usage of O LOGOS, the less
comfortable I am with using "the word" without spending a great deal of
time explaining to people the "real meaning" -- which is usually a good
indication of a bad translation, no?
To me, O LOGOS focuses more on the content or message, or even a
philosophy or rational structure, than it does on a word or means of
communication.
Two questions: Is this perception of O LOGOS reasonably accurate? And
is there a better English word to use than "word" for this idea?
Pleasantly puzzled,
--
"More input!"
Noel Maddy <nmaddy1@biostat.hfh.edu> - Number Five