I want to clear the air and confirm that I love the Bible.
I believe the Bible was written by close followers of Jesus whom I trust. Some of these men actually walked and talked with Jesus on a daily basis for a few years. They were all early members of a new movement of people who were following the way of Jesus.
About 300 years after Christ's life here, leaders in the western early church concluded this set of books were the most reliable of the many books written about Jesus and the early church. In some ways I wish Jesus himself wrote a book and gave it to us. But He didn't. He did promise to leave His spirit to follow, and we can also follow the lead of other believers. It seems we must place some trust in these early catholic church leaders. We are trusting that these men who selected the books of our Biblical canon were in tune with the Spirit, and following godly council of their brothers and sisters.
These books, written by these different authors are by far the best sources of information about how Jesus lived, taught, restored lives, went to the cross, and rose from the dead. They are also a great source of knowledge for who God the father is, as Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. It is also a great source of knowledge about the Spirit of God whom Jesus said would be available to us to continue to guide us.
I love how these books teach me that my Father God is trustworthy. They teach me that God loves me, that I am not alone, and He is restoring my life to what He has planned for me.
I love how these books teach me that God is the final authority. Jesus is King and Lord of both the world, and it is up to us to allow Him to reign and rule in our lives.
These books give us stories that put my heart at ease, because I see He is a good King.
These authors were also involved in the formation of the early church, a new tribe of people that did not conform to the status quo of the time. These book are the best source of how these new believers in Jesus formed communities where their love for God was expressed in their love for each other.
I believe John 5:39-40 speaks both of the purpose of Scripture, and the dangers of too much focus on Scripture.
"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
My previous post was simply talking semantics, how I believe the term 'Word of God' in Scripture refers to Jesus or any message from God. When we misuse the term we sometimes interpret different passages incorrectly, and in some ways take the life out of the 'Word'.
But I do love the Bible, and I can't think of any other books that intrigue me more.
Do you think I'm missing something essential here in my view of the Bible? Something that the Bible clearly teaches and emphasizes?
Related Posts:
- Word Study on Word of God - lists a bunch of verses about 'The Word of God'
- Word study on Word of the Lord - more verses
- Word study on the Word - more verses and some summary thoughts
- Stop Calling The Bible The Word Of God
- Do you know God's voice
- Loving the Bible for what it is, not what I wanted it to be.
- Review of The Last Word
- Freedom from Biblicism
- Sola Scriptura
- Do you know God's voice
- Spirit of truth
2 comments:
"In some ways I wish Jesus himself wrote a book and gave it to us."
But He did. He speaks to us through the Bible.He uses ordinary men to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
The Bible does not have to be textually perfect and floated down from Heaven with a bow wrapped around it for God to make us of it for His will.
Thanks, so much.
Thanks for the comment Steve Martin. Does the Bible teach us that Jesus wrote these books with his own pen?
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