Faith in the Bible or our Earthly view of God

Many, over the last few months, have made understandable comments challenging the Bible as God’s primary authoritative source for communication with mankind. The latest came from a reader who stated….

“The Bible is not an authoritative source from God”, and other than… we should love one another, “the rest is just bunk… Nowhere in the bible does God say that a great book will be created for all of humanity to follow.”

From a secular perspective, this reader is correct. The Bible does not predict itself, however, I do believe it references itself and its importance in the life of a Christian. Those verses include:

• Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The word “Scripture” or the Greek transliterated word, “grapho”, according to Strong’s, is found 24 times in the New Testament. It is consistent across nearly all of the major translations as referring to “Scripture”.

The term “Scripture” is a reference to the Bible. Even secular text such as Webster’s dictionary offers the definitions of Scripture as “the books of the Bible” or “passages from the Bible”. Further, in support of Strong’s, Webster’s definition cross-references the Scripture with “Holy Writ” and goes on to say ”Holy Writ has been used in English as a synonym for Bible for more than a thousand years.” 

Beyond these two verses and the remaining 22 uses of the word “Scripture” within the Bible, there are a number of other verses that emphasize the “word” or “word of God” as important teachings for the Christian. Examples include:

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word 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.
• Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
• Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
• 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
• Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Ultimately, if one wishes to know God they have two broad choices. They can seek Him in the world around us or they can seek Him in a sacred text. The danger of the former is that one can easily be led astray by supernatural evil and by our own sin nature. 

• 2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
• Matthew 24:24 – For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Recognizing that ultimately, we, as Christians, must come to Christ through Faith, not by sight, I personally find the Bible the most comforting and trustworthy source of truth than anything one can find in the world today.

• Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We step away from God’s love letter to mankind and enter the realm of “feelings” or impressions of who God is, at our own peril. God’s written Word is the best test of who we are truly following as our Lord and Savior.

• 1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 – For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.