20. Who is Us? Part 2


20. Who is Us? Part 1


"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 
I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be." 
—Proverbs 8:22-23

Wisdom / Logos view: held by 2nd Temple Judaism and most Christians

It is generally agreed that Proverbs was written by Solomon, son of King David, nearly 1000 years before Jesus was born.


Philo of Alexandria (who predated the Apostle John’s use of Logos and begotten by over 50 years) identifies the Logos with wisdom in Proverbs 8:22 (De Ebrietate, 31), and calls the Logos “the eldest son,” and “the first-begotten of God.” See Philo’s On the Confusion of Tongues, 63 and 146 respectively.

Some 50 years later, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as this logos and God's begotten, and confirms his role in Creation.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." —John 1:3
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, written even before John's gospel (but also post-Philo), also confirms Jesus' role in Creation.
"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." —Colossians 1:16

Nevertheless, wisdom/the logos/the pre-incarnate Christ is not the Creator; throughout scripture, that magnanimous role is always attributed to God the Father...a fact understood by the early church, as evidenced in the creeds: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."(Apostles Creed) and "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible." (Nicene Creed).

So which is right the Heavenly Court view or the Logos/Wisdom view?

Although both Christian and Jewish scholars agree that the royal "us" is inaccurate, some Christians* take umbrage at the heavenly court view. However, the two views (Heavenly Court vs Logos) need not be mutually exclusive. That the Logos was involved in creation does not contradict God's addressing the heavenly court. And creation would not be the first time he does so. In 1 Kings 22:19-22, God implicitly asks the Heavenly Court how he should deal with an evil king, and one angel's suggestion is implemented. (Other mentions of the Heavenly Court are Job 1:6-12, 2:1-6; Psalm 89:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; and Daniel 10:12-13.)

Which view do you hold? 
Do you see the Logos and the Heavenly court view as mutually exclusive?
Share your thoughts on the
Blogging His Story Facebook page.

Swordcraft Tip: Highlight Proverbs 8:22-23, John 1:3, and Colossians 1:16 in your dedicated spiritual warfare color.

Photo Credit: Jehovah Creates the World by Walter Rane. / Philo: Public Domain  / Apostles Creed

 *Gleason claims, "It could hardly include the angels in consultation with God, for nowhere is it ever stated that man was created in the image of angels, only of God....This can only be understood in terms of the Trinitarian nature of God." But as we saw above, the Jews who hold to the Heavenly Court view do not believe it means God must then make man in the image of angels (1982).

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