SECTION XII.
THE PRINCIPAL WITNESS ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE LOGOS.
We have now to compare Justin's doctrine of the Logos with that of the
Fourth Gospel.
The doctrine or dogma of the Logos is declared in the Fourth Gospel in a
short paragraph of fourteen verses, a part of which is occupied with the
mission of the Baptist.
The doctrine, as I have said before, is rather oracular enunciation than
doctrine; _i.e._ it is not doctrine elaborately drawn out and explained
and guarded, but simply laid down as by the authority of Almighty God.
It is contained in four or five direct statements:--
"In the beginning was the Logos."
In the beginning--that is, before all created things--when there was no
finite existence by which time could be measured; in that fathomless
abyss of duration when there was God only:--
"The Logos was with God."
Though numerically distinct from Him, [73:1] He was so "by" or "with"
Him as to be His fellow:--
"The Logos was God."
That is, though numerically distinct, He partook of the same Divine
Nature:
"All Things were made by Him.
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