take Aristotle's definition.
He is "the argument" of God in rhetorical speech.
so was there a time when God had no logical cognitive framework, no "idea" or principled stance from which to reason? and then a little light bulb appeared over His head, and *poof* Jesus existed? not long after, God opened His mouth and out came the heavens and the earth (except of course for water, which pre-dates creation? lol)
He is "the argument" of God in rhetorical speech.
so was there a time when God had no logical cognitive framework, no "idea" or principled stance from which to reason? and then a little light bulb appeared over His head, and *poof* Jesus existed? not long after, God opened His mouth and out came the heavens and the earth (except of course for water, which pre-dates creation? lol)
what i mean to say, is that what John is telling us in the first chapter of his gospel is Christ is the purpose of God in His communication with mankind; the viewpoint and thought and argument of the mind of God, revealed to us in the person of Jesus, His Messiah. what is read in English as "the word" has a far deeper meaning than 21st century language confers. He is the will and reason of the Father - and it's in that sense that He is the Son - and the only begotten - of God, and is no more a created thing than the ideas and notions and premises and ethos of you or i are -- our pattern of thought and structure of logical discourse aren't things that don't exist before we form them with words, and they aren't separate from us - they are part of who we are, and are expressions of who we are. in the same way, Jesus the Christ is the expression of God's conversation toward us in the form of a man, a 33 year life, a sacrifice, and a resurrection. the image of the invisible God dwells in Him fully - and He and the Father are One.
this is how i'm given to understand -- not that i've been taught this by any man, but by praying for understanding; praying that God would teach me how to say His name, and show me who He is.
hope it makes sense - whether you agree or not - and that you just think about that for a while. i've got to go to bed now; it is nice talking to you and thinking about this. hope we can all keep talking without quarreling, but seeking out the Truth first of all.