John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"

How denominations interpret the opening verse of John's Gospel regarding the nature and divinity of the Logos ('Word') and its relationship to God.

Overall consensus80/100

Reformed Church in America

Reformed Church in America

Mainline Protestant

Affirms

The Word is God: divine identity affirmed in classical confessional tradition

The Reformed Church in America affirms the traditional reading of John 1:1 within its confessional heritage. The opening statement of John's Gospel proclaims the Logos's full divinity and personal identity as God. This interpretation aligns with the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism, which emphasize Christ's deity as the eternal Son and Redeemer.

The RCA understands the prologue as establishing both the Word's ontological divinity and functional role in creation and redemption. The affirmation that 'the Word was God' grounds Christian faith in the reality of the incarnation and the trustworthiness of Christ's revelatory witness. This reading is consistent with historic Reformed ecumenical Christianity.

Scripture References

Sources

  • Belgic Confession, Article 10
  • Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 33