“In The beginning was the [Logos]”  (John 1:1)

“The [Logos] became flesh…”  (John 1:14)

 

In our texts above you might have noticed we used the Word, Logos in the stead of Word.  The Word Logos can be translated Word, Reason or Logic.  Logos is typically translated into Word in most translations and we find no fault in that. The fact it is translated, Word, does not change it could also mean logic. Therefore, let us look at the importance logic.

First, let me ask you if you use logic. How often do you use logic?  The answer to the former is yes and the answer to the latter is often or always.  Some examples:
*When you wake up in the morning and you notice the ground is wet and it is the month of July, what has happened?  Correct, it has rained.
*If you enter a house and you hear an animal bark, what king of animal is it?  Correct, a dog.
*Suppose you see a person walking around in nursing attire, what do you think they do as a profession?  Correct, Nursing.

However, What if you saw only a small part of the sidewalk is wet and a balloon is laying next th the spot?  What if you enter a house, you know for a fact that there is no dog, but there is a bird?  What if you see the person wearing a nursing outfit and it is late October?  If you answer a water balloon, a barking parrot, and it is October you are again, correct.

What did you use to come to these deductions?  If you said, logic, correct AGAIN. While everyone uses logic everyday on simple deductions, everyday most people fail to use logic on the grander scale.  More examples:
*Let us say you have a friend who begins dating a person that has cheated on every “love” interest they have ever had. Yet your friend thinks it will be different this time.  If your friend using logic?  Before we answer that question, let us say your friend is able to answer the examples in our previous paragraph.  Now, is you friend using logic in her choice to date this new person?  Of course NOT.  What is your friend using? Emotions, feelings, lust but not logic.
*Let us use the same example as above but let us interchange love interest with divorcee.  Is your friend using logic in their choice to marry a many timed divorcee?  The answer is the same.

Sherlock Holmes has a quote that goes, “Logic is rare.”  C.S. Lewis asked more than fifty (50) years ago, “What are they teaching kids in these schools?”  This question was aked due to the absence of logic in schools. The quote and the question is still in effect today. Our political system is in the turmoil it is today because of a lack of logic. The left rarely uses logic but emotion and unreasonableness. The right, though they are far more logical than the left, they use unreasonableness and emotion when the left puts forth an idea.

Families are in disarray today due to a lack of logic and objective thinking. Children are being raised by parents that never learned logic or objective thinking, therefore they raise their children by emotion and subjective feeling.  In the home of subjective parenting a “Carrie White” of Stephen King is produced.  However, in a home where only objective and logical thinking is present a “Sheldon Cooper” from “Big Bang Theory” is produced.  In a single parent home, it depends upon the subjectiveness or objectiveness of the single parent that produces the child.

Am I spouting what some call, “psychobabble?”  I am not. It is inspired Scripture that teached the parent(s) to “raise [their] children in the nurture (subjective or emotional thinking) and admonition (Objective and logical thinking of the Lord).  In the Word of God we are given the Psalms and the Proverbs.  Psalms tend to reveal the heart of the Messiah and the Proverbs reveal to us His logical thought.

Why is logic important?  Logic keeps things in balance.  Logic helps us to look at all things from differing points of views. Logic helps us to be fair-minded in all things. Logic helps us to finf what is actual truth and not “truth” based on feelings or irrational thought.  Logic aids us to put forth an argument that is supported with facts and truth, and right.  Logic will allow us to put emotions in check but emotions can never help us put logic in check. Emotions can help us balance logic but it can never overwhelm it or take the lead.  It is most illogical to follow one’s heart or emotions  for that will lead to disaster, no matter what lies the romantic comedies spew.

How can you improve your logic or develop your logic.  It is rather simple.
*Study books on logic…not formal logic that deals in numbers and such but informal logic. Logic that can be used in everyday exchanges and engagements.  Logic that can help us determine a sound position and a position that can be defended with reason.
“Logic,” by Isaac Watts is invaluable and cannot be ignored or overlooked. “The  Thinking Toolbox” by the Bluedorn brothers is presented in easy to understand precepts.  “Socratic Logic” by Peter Kreeft is great. Anything by Willian Stanley Jeavons is helpful after you study the previously mentioned.
Fictional writing on Sherlock Holmes, by Doyle or “The Thinking Machine” by Jacque Futrell, who was on the Titanic when it perished. One could read “Uncle Abner” or “Hercule Poirot” novels or short stories will no doubt develop one’s logical or critical thought.
When studying the Scriptures focus on the arguments put fprth by Christ in the Gospeld or Paul in the Epistles and one’s logic will grow along with one’s faith.

Reader, we all fall to something in order to make decisions or choices or when taking a stand.  If Scriptural precepts and or logic is not our source of objectivism, emotions and subjective feeling will be.  If one is not lead by one’s brains, one will be led by one’s heart to disaster.

Godspeed.