AICISIACUMACOLOCURAND: TEN THINGS THAT YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE BIBLE BY READING THE BIBLE

Thursday, May 27, 2010

TEN THINGS THAT YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE BIBLE BY READING THE BIBLE

An Angel before Micah Unknown; Franco-Flemish Master C. 1270An Angel before Micah Unknown; Franco-Flemish Master C. 1270
Christians confess that God’s Word is the supreme authority. As such, there can be no greater authority by which we may judge God’s Word. This means that we must always beware of imposing another authority upon God’s Word, thus denying our own confession and cutting us off from our authority. So much so, that every doctrine to which we hold must be the consequence of either explicit declarations in Scripture, or logical inferences drawn from explicit declarations in Scripture. This includes our doctrine of Scripture and it attendant doctrines. Therefore, when we consider things like the process of revelation, inspiration and illumination or the art and science of hermeneutics; we must remember that these are not external standards that we impose upon God’s Word, but rather certain principles drawn from God’s Word. Here then, are ten things that you can learn about the Bible from the Bible. It might be a helpful exercise for you to read them and see if you can identify ways in which they inform our view of God’s Word.

God’s Word is for His people forever, and it teaches us what He requires of us
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deut. 29:29)

God’s Word is pure
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
God’s Word is our guide
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

God’s Word is true, every word of it
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Proverbs 30:5)

God’s Word is recorded in writing (an example of the process)
Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. (Jeremiah 30:2)

God’s Word is recorded in writing (another example of the process)
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. (Jeremiah 36:1-2)

God’s Word is most necessary
But he answered, "It is written," 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "(Matthew 4:4)

Scripture is God’s Word and Jesus used it to settle disputes
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." (Matthew 22:31-32)

God’s Word was delivered by the Apostles, and it was recorded for us
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you (Luke 1:2,3)