The Logic of God
(From my eBook, "The Great White Throne Judgment.")
The Cambridge Dictionary online defines “logic” as, “A particular way of thinking, especially one that is reasonable and based on good judgment.” At Study.com, we’re given the following from the article, “Logic Definition, Examples & Types” (Bolding mine).
Logic is defined as a system that aims to draw reasonable conclusions based on given information. This means the goal of logic is to use data to make inferences. For example, if a person walked into a room and saw children holding markers and then saw marker scribbles all over the walls, logic would dictate that from the given the information presented, the children drew all over the walls with markers. There is no direct evidence or confession, but logical principles reveal what is true based on the given information.
While one can reasonably argue the children drew on the walls with markers, when it comes to logic, these inferences must follow a set of guidelines to ensure the reached conclusion is valid and accurate. The differences will be found in each logic type.
Logic Etymology
The word logic stems from the Greek word logike and or logos which translates to reason. While many versions of the word have existed over time, from Latin to Middle English, the first known use of the word was in the 12th century to define a scientific set of principles. In the 14th century, the word's definition grew to encompass the idea of true and false thinking in terms of reasoning. Today, logic is connected to reasoning in forms of nuance found in argumentation, math, symbolism, and much more.
Also from Study.com.
Types of Logic
There are many types of logic located within the governing science. The four main logic types are:
Informal logic
Formal logic
Symbolic logic
Mathematical logic
As we see, “the word logic stems from the Greek word logike and or logos which translates to reason.” Our Greek word logos is significant, for this is the same Greek word used 330 times in the King James New Testament, most often translated as “word” or “words.” Here are a few examples.
John 1:1 (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God.
Matthew 13:19 (KJV)
19 When any one heareth the word (logos) of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Mark 13:31 (KJV)
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words (logos) shall not pass away.
John 5:38 (KJV)
38 And ye have not his word (logos) abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
I find it interesting that as far as we are concerned, there are four types of logic; Informal, Formal, Symbolic, and Mathematical. Since the Bible is filled with symbolism with which the spiritual meaning of numbers plays a very important part, the last two types of logic fit quite well within the parameters of scripture. As for “Informal” and “Formal”? YourDictionary online states, “Informal logic is what’s typically used in daily reasoning. This is the reasoning and arguments you make in your personal exchanges with others… In formal logic, you use deductive reasoning and the premises must be true. You follow the premises to reach a formal conclusion.” We find the following at YourDictionary online.
Logic can be defined as:
“The study of truths based completely on the meanings of the terms they contain.”
Logic is a process for making a conclusion and a tool you can use.
1) The foundation of a logical argument is its proposition or statement.
2) The proposition is either accurate (true) or not accurate (false).
3) Premises are the propositions used to build the argument.
4) The argument is then built on premises.
5) Then an inference is made from the premises.
6) Finally, a conclusion is drawn.
Hopefully, we have a better picture of logic and recognize that all four types apply to the study of the Bible. And what is my point in all of this? It’s that I believe God is logical, especially when you consider the fact that “logic” is essentially derived from logos. This being the case, the following passage takes on a whole new persona.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
12 For the word (logos) of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Friend, when we understand that the “word” of God is the “logic” of God, then it makes much more sense to read that His “word” is “living and active.” In other words, there is nothing fortuitous about His Word in creation, especially when it comes to our makeup, for there is undoubtedly divine reasoning behind all that is visible and invisible. Furthermore, when we say the “word” or logos of God, we are not talking about the Bible. Rather, we are talking about the “living” and “active” and invisible essence of our Creator that works among us of which the Bible is but one expression (Acts 17:28). This brings me to one of my favorite passages.
Romans 1:20 (ESV)
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they (mankind; see Rom. 1:18) are without excuse.
Ah, here we go! God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,” are “clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world.” How? “In the things that have been made.” So it is that God’s logic extends into all that is visible as well as into all that dictates the visible. No wonder Jesus used the visible things to help us understand the invisible aspects of the kingdom of God.
There’s another way of describing logic and it’s called “connecting the dots.” Consider the following from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
In adult discourse the phrase "connect the dots" can be used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability (or inability) to associate one idea with another, to find the "big picture", or salient feature, in a mass of data. It can mean using extrapolation to solve a mystery from clues, or else come to a conclusion from various facts.
As we see, connecting the dots is just another way of discovering the logic that exists in the pages of the Bible. As mentioned, symbolism plays a very important part, and so too does the spiritual meaning of numbers, but perhaps the most important to consider is found in the following.
1 John 2:27 (ESV)
27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything—and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you—abide in him.