Logical Christianity

 

Nestled within these verses is an expression which translates the Greek word as “word.” This particular Greek word is used only twice in the Bible and is derived from an often used word which is “logos.” This word is “logikon” and occurs only in I Peter 2.2 and in Romans 12.1 where it is translated as “reasonable.”

While both Peter and Paul affirm that we live according to an ongoing act of faith, they would not hesitate to stress that the faith by which we live is neither a blind faith nor an ignorant faith. Peter’s exhortation must not fall on ears that are dull of hearing. As a matter of fact he states quite clearly that we are to “desire” (epipotheō – “intensely crave”) the “sincere” (adolos – “pure and unadulterated”) “milk” (gala – “milk” (metaphorically “pure and simple nourishment”) of the “word” (logikon – “agreeable to reason, logical and reasonable”).

In agreement with this is a profound statement by the Apostle Paul when he wrote: “For I know whom I have believed.” The word “know” (eido – “to recognize, understand”) is more personal and requires more than a simple statement of faith built upon a learning curve; it requires a proven understanding and realization of that which is true.

It pertains to reason and is therefore reasonable, and pertains to speech as a reasonable expression of that which is accepted in changing a life. In Romans 12.1, the “reasonable service” or worship is to be understood as that service to God which implies intelligent meditation or reflection without the kind of heathen practices intimated in I Corinthians 12.2 and without the obsolete system of Old Testament worship as in Isaiah 1.12-15.

In I Peter 2.2, the phrase logikón gala (literally “logical milk”) refers to the spiritual nourishment found in the Word of God. Lógos (from which logikós is derived) means reason, and is often used to describe God’s intelligence expressed in human speech or form (John 1.1, 14). Some reach this interpretation merely from the context of the passage, as a spiritual explanation of the words. Others reach this interpretation by recognizing that it is not only true but that it is reasonable since the Word of God is our nourishment (cf. Deuteronomy 8.3; Matthew 4.4).

The second adjective “sincere” (ádolon – “unadulterated,”) agrees with this, meaning that the Word of God, when not mixed with human error, is nourishing. While we are commanded to “desire” (imperative) this pure, unadulterated truth from God, even as the new born baby cries out with hunger pangs, the believer should be so drawn to God’s Word that he is not satisfied with anything but the Word.

It is not reasonable to think a believer could exist only on devotional writings and cute stories. It is not reasonable to believe that a believer could grow when offered the truth of God’s Word as it is mixed with personal opinions and human philosophy.

It is quite reasonable to assume that the believer could be satisfied with nothing other than God’s sacred text and a personal relationship with Him.