The Eternal Word in the Prologue of St. John

About this episode

Bishop Williamson explores the theological implications of the prologue of St. John, focusing on the nature of the Word and its eternal existence.

This lecture delves into the profound theological opening of the Gospel of St. John, specifically addressing the nature of the Word (Logos) before creation. Bishop Williamson explores the crucial distinction between the Greek terms for 'was' and 'became' as used in the prologue, emphasizing that the Word already existed in a state of being at the beginning of time. The discussion centers on the eternal, uncreated nature of the Word, establishing the foundation for understanding the divinity of Christ and his role in the creation of all things. Throughout the session, the speaker provides a meticulous breakdown of the text, contrasting the temporal nature of created things with the eternal existence of the Word. He highlights the distinction between the Word being with God and the Word being God, explaining how this relates to the inner life of the Trinity. A particularly striking portion of the lecture involves the analysis of how the Word, as the divine intellect, brings all things into existence, while also serving as the source and author of faith. The bishop emphasizes that the creation of the world is not a product of chance but a deliberate act of the divine intellect…

People in this episode

Host: Bishop Williamson

Topics covered

• theology
• Logos
• biblical exegesis
• divinity of Christ
• creation
• metaphysics
• Catholic doctrine

Keywords

• Logos
• Gospel of St. John
• divine intellect
• pre-existence of Christ
• eternal Word
• Catholic doctrine
• creation
• Trinity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Gospel of St. John

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