"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His
law doeth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His
law doeth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH
II Timothy 2:15 -- "Study to show yourself
approved unto God......rightly dividing the
word of truth."
Joshua 1:8
First a little theological study to enlighten the reader about the Bible and whether or not it is the Word of God.
This Bible under consideration is not the New World Translation of the Watchtower Society; better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. This book is not the Catholic Bible containing the Apocrypha or "hidden books." This Book is not just a version of the Protestant church and did not originate in the Latin language. It was first penned in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and in Greek (New Testament). There are many interesting facts about the Bible; some of which I will share now.
The things presented below are not generally taught in churches but rather in Bible colleges or Bible Seminaries, but I believe they should be taught in churches as well.
The very word Bible comes from the Greek plural biblia meaning "the books." The word scripture comes from the Latin meaning "the writings."
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 call the Bible the "Word of God."
The Bible claims to be inspired – "and Godsaid" or it's equivalent is used over
2600 times in the Bible itself.
The history, law, psalms and prophecies were written by men under special
inspiration from God Exodus 24:4, II Kings 17:13, Joshua 3:9 and Zechariah 7:12).
Christ endorsed the Old Testament, quoted it and lived according to its teachings.
The apostles endorsed scripture and Peter endorsed Paul's writings as scripture
II Peter 3:5-16)
.
Authorship - The Bible was written by men whose honesty and integrity were above question.
Contents – It is the most sublime revelation of God the world knows.
Influence – The Bible brings salvation to nations and individuals.
Accuracy – There is a total absence of the absurdities found in other religious books.
Unity – There are Sixty six books by forty authors of varied backgrounds, written over a period of almost 1600 years, covering a variety of topics, yet carrying unity of theme and purpose coming from one superintending mind.
Circulation – The Bible is the most widely read book and the highest selling book of all time in hundreds of languages worldwide.
Timelessness –It is ancient and yet totally modern and applicable to any generation.
Its many fulfilled prophecies - especially the many concerning the life and death and resurrection of Christ confound those who challenge it.
The Bible's remarkable Preservation - in spite of the many attempts to discredit it or destroy it the Bible will stand long after many other books have passed out of remembrance. The Bible itself declares that the Word of God will stand forever!
The Authority of the Bible
Differences of opinion over the source of authority include:
Roman Catholicism – The Bible is an authoritative collection of writings. Scripture belongs in the church that gathered them. On April 28, 1546 the Council of Trent said that tradition is equal to the Bible.
Reformation Protestantism – The Bible is a collection of authoritative writings. Authority is in the scriptures themselves.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the means by which God communicated His message to man. It means the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the writers of scripture. God influenced the accurate recording of the scriptures. There are no degrees of inspiration.
II Timothy 3:16 – Verbal plenary inspiration meaning that the Holy Spirit so directed men in their choice of subject matter and words that the words they used were God's words in the style of the writer. Plenary means that all parts of scripture are equally inspired. Some would argue with this thinking that the words of Christ were more inspired than Peter or Paul or any of the Biblical authors, but they would have to deny the clear teaching of scripture itself to accept that theory. II Timothy 3:16-17 states, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of Godand is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Erroneous views of Inspiration
Natural Inspiration – Inspired in the same sense as other great works. A remarkable human book written by people with religious genius.
Conceptual Inspiration – Only the writer's thoughts were inspired – not the words. This concept is obviously foolish because thoughts are words.
Partial Inspiration – Only certain parts are inspired. The Bible contains but isn't God's Word. This is the belief of many in this generation; in and out of the church. We like the verses that please us and loathe the verses that challenge us, convict us and discipline us. More than anything we talk about God's love as if his anger, judgment and justice could not be true. Pass the sweets please!
Mechanical Dictation – The Writers were totally passive. All decisions concerning the choice of words were made by the Holy Spirit. (The writers were like mere robots). This concept ignores style, temperament and personal feeling and suggests complete uniformity. A comparison of the Psalms of David and the writings of Paul the Apostle should lay this theory to rest.
The Canon of Scripture
The word canon comes from the Greek kanon and the Hebrew quaneh. The basic meaning is reed, rod or bar for measuring or a standard to measure by. In the study of scripture it means the list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The church didn't create the canon but they acknowledged that certain books were God's Word.
The Pseudepigraphical Books were fictitious books by men claiming to be apostles and prophets.
The Synod of Jamnia (AD 90) – a group of rabbis ratified (approved) the existing
Hebrew Canon. This was considered the final stage in fixing the Jewish Canon.
The New Testament standard of canonicity was based on the following:
Apostlicity – from or authorized by an apostle.
Doctrinal Content – had to agree with Old Testament teaching and oral transmission of the apostle's teaching.
Inspiration – was there unmistakable evidence that the book was "God Breathed?"
Universality – does the book have universal appeal in the churches?
Moral Effect – does it edify and transform lives for the good of all?
Now there are many other facts relating to canon, however I will not belabor them simply because everyone isn't inclined to theological studies, and I don't want to weary my readers.
This Bible under consideration is not the New World Translation of the Watchtower Society; better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. This book is not the Catholic Bible containing the Apocrypha or "hidden books." This Book is not just a version of the Protestant church and did not originate in the Latin language. It was first penned in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and in Greek (New Testament). There are many interesting facts about the Bible; some of which I will share now.
The things presented below are not generally taught in churches but rather in Bible colleges or Bible Seminaries, but I believe they should be taught in churches as well.
The very word Bible comes from the Greek plural biblia meaning "the books." The word scripture comes from the Latin meaning "the writings."
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 call the Bible the "Word of God."
The Bible claims to be inspired – "and Godsaid" or it's equivalent is used over
2600 times in the Bible itself.
The history, law, psalms and prophecies were written by men under special
inspiration from God Exodus 24:4, II Kings 17:13, Joshua 3:9 and Zechariah 7:12).
Christ endorsed the Old Testament, quoted it and lived according to its teachings.
The apostles endorsed scripture and Peter endorsed Paul's writings as scripture
II Peter 3:5-16)
.
Authorship - The Bible was written by men whose honesty and integrity were above question.
Contents – It is the most sublime revelation of God the world knows.
Influence – The Bible brings salvation to nations and individuals.
Accuracy – There is a total absence of the absurdities found in other religious books.
Unity – There are Sixty six books by forty authors of varied backgrounds, written over a period of almost 1600 years, covering a variety of topics, yet carrying unity of theme and purpose coming from one superintending mind.
Circulation – The Bible is the most widely read book and the highest selling book of all time in hundreds of languages worldwide.
Timelessness –It is ancient and yet totally modern and applicable to any generation.
Its many fulfilled prophecies - especially the many concerning the life and death and resurrection of Christ confound those who challenge it.
The Bible's remarkable Preservation - in spite of the many attempts to discredit it or destroy it the Bible will stand long after many other books have passed out of remembrance. The Bible itself declares that the Word of God will stand forever!
The Authority of the Bible
Differences of opinion over the source of authority include:
Roman Catholicism – The Bible is an authoritative collection of writings. Scripture belongs in the church that gathered them. On April 28, 1546 the Council of Trent said that tradition is equal to the Bible.
Reformation Protestantism – The Bible is a collection of authoritative writings. Authority is in the scriptures themselves.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the means by which God communicated His message to man. It means the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the writers of scripture. God influenced the accurate recording of the scriptures. There are no degrees of inspiration.
II Timothy 3:16 – Verbal plenary inspiration meaning that the Holy Spirit so directed men in their choice of subject matter and words that the words they used were God's words in the style of the writer. Plenary means that all parts of scripture are equally inspired. Some would argue with this thinking that the words of Christ were more inspired than Peter or Paul or any of the Biblical authors, but they would have to deny the clear teaching of scripture itself to accept that theory. II Timothy 3:16-17 states, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of Godand is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Erroneous views of Inspiration
Natural Inspiration – Inspired in the same sense as other great works. A remarkable human book written by people with religious genius.
Conceptual Inspiration – Only the writer's thoughts were inspired – not the words. This concept is obviously foolish because thoughts are words.
Partial Inspiration – Only certain parts are inspired. The Bible contains but isn't God's Word. This is the belief of many in this generation; in and out of the church. We like the verses that please us and loathe the verses that challenge us, convict us and discipline us. More than anything we talk about God's love as if his anger, judgment and justice could not be true. Pass the sweets please!
Mechanical Dictation – The Writers were totally passive. All decisions concerning the choice of words were made by the Holy Spirit. (The writers were like mere robots). This concept ignores style, temperament and personal feeling and suggests complete uniformity. A comparison of the Psalms of David and the writings of Paul the Apostle should lay this theory to rest.
The Canon of Scripture
The word canon comes from the Greek kanon and the Hebrew quaneh. The basic meaning is reed, rod or bar for measuring or a standard to measure by. In the study of scripture it means the list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The church didn't create the canon but they acknowledged that certain books were God's Word.
The Pseudepigraphical Books were fictitious books by men claiming to be apostles and prophets.
The Synod of Jamnia (AD 90) – a group of rabbis ratified (approved) the existing
Hebrew Canon. This was considered the final stage in fixing the Jewish Canon.
The New Testament standard of canonicity was based on the following:
Apostlicity – from or authorized by an apostle.
Doctrinal Content – had to agree with Old Testament teaching and oral transmission of the apostle's teaching.
Inspiration – was there unmistakable evidence that the book was "God Breathed?"
Universality – does the book have universal appeal in the churches?
Moral Effect – does it edify and transform lives for the good of all?
Now there are many other facts relating to canon, however I will not belabor them simply because everyone isn't inclined to theological studies, and I don't want to weary my readers.
Hebrews 4:12
A Perspective on Bible “Study”
1. The Objective: To be objective (not subjective) students (not mere readers)
of God’s Word. To do this without any outside aids (ie: commentaries, Bible
handbooks, Bible dictionaries, or any other literature or device currently made available to us, so that the study is fresh and new to us.
(SPIRIT TAUGHT!)
2. The Scriptural Basis: I Corinthians 2:14 concerning the natural man and then
II Timothy 2:15 commanding the study of God’s Word. Supporting scriptures
Include, but are not restricted to Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 119: 1-176, and
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 telling us when we should teach scripture to our children.
3. Proposition #1: We are all, at best, shallow in our understanding of God’s
Word, and its application to our lives and the lives of those around us. Because of this our understanding of God is shallow as well and as a result our faith also
operates in proportion to our understanding of him. Therefore, God has been
hindered from doing great and mighty works through us.
We have become dependent on seminars, teachers, preachers, books, cassettes,
videos and a host of other things instead of pursuing God and knowledge of him
on our own, and the lack of spiritual power in the church today testifies against us. We speak the word of God with kindness, tenderness and pleasantness, but
rarely, if ever, with deep conviction, power and authority. The proof lies in the alarming lack of conversions to Christ in churches Worldwide. Oh, we do love to boast of great moves of God and leading people to Christ, but multitudes of these pseudo-conversion experiences last only for the moment. Others only last until persecution is brought against these new converts and/or the good feelings leave and then they forsake Christ much like pliable in John Bunyan’s great allegory called “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Proposition #2: Many of us are impressed with our own spirituality because God has “condescended to use us” in one way or the other. Rather than humbling ourselves and giving the glory and honor to God who empowered us, we allow our pride to become a barrier to being used in even greater measure, and what we have must be taken away to humble us. We must, in the innermost depths of our being, understand that God will not share his glory with man. All glory and honor and praise must be his and his alone! The heart that truly loves him will have no problem with this.
Proposition #3: Most, if not all, of our problems can be resolved if we approach God’s word with a teachable heart, willing to allow the Spirit of God to speak to us about things that need to be dealt with in our lives. We must be ready to hear the word spoken to us by anyone no matter how we view them provided they are not teaching heresy or anti-God and anti-biblical things. The heart that is truly set on seeking God and his truth can receive that truth from anyone or through any circumstances. (Remember, God spoke to a prophet through a donkey and to a wayward disciple through a rooster). Because God is revealed in his word, we will come to know him better, trust him more, love him more and obey him more rather than question him concerning everything he speaks to us.
Proposition #4: As we study God’s word there will be times when God will require from us things which run contrary to our nature, our understanding, our desire and our will. Please take notice to the word "our." We will then have to decide whether we will yield to him, and by
our decision, grow in grace or we will groan in disgrace. This is inevitable!
4. Conclusion: Do we really want to know God’s Word in a way that is demanding
or challenging? Are we ready to allow the word of God to convict us of our need for self-examination, self-abasement and thorough purging of those things in our lives that are offensive to a holy God? Do we really want to pay the price to be conformed to the “image of his Son?” Do we want to shed our spiritual fat and replace it with spiritual muscle? Are we ready to “invest” the necessary time in order to see the results even though it may take years? Remember: “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.”
Can we forego television, electronic games, social visits or any hindrance God would call to our attention? Will we bear any inconvenience or pain, take any insult or injury, slander or persecution for the knowledge of him who freely gives life, light, wisdom, grace agape love and immortality to us?
The answers to these questions and many others yet unwritten will determine our commitment to studying and applying God’s word. As individuals, do we really want a Bible study that changes us? As a body of believers, do we?
This is not a game! This is spiritual warfare! This is not for those whose total commitment to Christ hinges on the sweets of God’s word but refuse to deal with the call to commitment that is demanded in the Bible. Satan will fight against all who choose to be firm in this, but we are more than conquerors through him who loves us and gave his life for us! Will you and I be spectators or join in the fight? God is waiting for our answer. What will it be?
C R Lord - 12/28/2010
1. The Objective: To be objective (not subjective) students (not mere readers)
of God’s Word. To do this without any outside aids (ie: commentaries, Bible
handbooks, Bible dictionaries, or any other literature or device currently made available to us, so that the study is fresh and new to us.
(SPIRIT TAUGHT!)
2. The Scriptural Basis: I Corinthians 2:14 concerning the natural man and then
II Timothy 2:15 commanding the study of God’s Word. Supporting scriptures
Include, but are not restricted to Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 119: 1-176, and
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 telling us when we should teach scripture to our children.
3. Proposition #1: We are all, at best, shallow in our understanding of God’s
Word, and its application to our lives and the lives of those around us. Because of this our understanding of God is shallow as well and as a result our faith also
operates in proportion to our understanding of him. Therefore, God has been
hindered from doing great and mighty works through us.
We have become dependent on seminars, teachers, preachers, books, cassettes,
videos and a host of other things instead of pursuing God and knowledge of him
on our own, and the lack of spiritual power in the church today testifies against us. We speak the word of God with kindness, tenderness and pleasantness, but
rarely, if ever, with deep conviction, power and authority. The proof lies in the alarming lack of conversions to Christ in churches Worldwide. Oh, we do love to boast of great moves of God and leading people to Christ, but multitudes of these pseudo-conversion experiences last only for the moment. Others only last until persecution is brought against these new converts and/or the good feelings leave and then they forsake Christ much like pliable in John Bunyan’s great allegory called “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Proposition #2: Many of us are impressed with our own spirituality because God has “condescended to use us” in one way or the other. Rather than humbling ourselves and giving the glory and honor to God who empowered us, we allow our pride to become a barrier to being used in even greater measure, and what we have must be taken away to humble us. We must, in the innermost depths of our being, understand that God will not share his glory with man. All glory and honor and praise must be his and his alone! The heart that truly loves him will have no problem with this.
Proposition #3: Most, if not all, of our problems can be resolved if we approach God’s word with a teachable heart, willing to allow the Spirit of God to speak to us about things that need to be dealt with in our lives. We must be ready to hear the word spoken to us by anyone no matter how we view them provided they are not teaching heresy or anti-God and anti-biblical things. The heart that is truly set on seeking God and his truth can receive that truth from anyone or through any circumstances. (Remember, God spoke to a prophet through a donkey and to a wayward disciple through a rooster). Because God is revealed in his word, we will come to know him better, trust him more, love him more and obey him more rather than question him concerning everything he speaks to us.
Proposition #4: As we study God’s word there will be times when God will require from us things which run contrary to our nature, our understanding, our desire and our will. Please take notice to the word "our." We will then have to decide whether we will yield to him, and by
our decision, grow in grace or we will groan in disgrace. This is inevitable!
4. Conclusion: Do we really want to know God’s Word in a way that is demanding
or challenging? Are we ready to allow the word of God to convict us of our need for self-examination, self-abasement and thorough purging of those things in our lives that are offensive to a holy God? Do we really want to pay the price to be conformed to the “image of his Son?” Do we want to shed our spiritual fat and replace it with spiritual muscle? Are we ready to “invest” the necessary time in order to see the results even though it may take years? Remember: “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.”
Can we forego television, electronic games, social visits or any hindrance God would call to our attention? Will we bear any inconvenience or pain, take any insult or injury, slander or persecution for the knowledge of him who freely gives life, light, wisdom, grace agape love and immortality to us?
The answers to these questions and many others yet unwritten will determine our commitment to studying and applying God’s word. As individuals, do we really want a Bible study that changes us? As a body of believers, do we?
This is not a game! This is spiritual warfare! This is not for those whose total commitment to Christ hinges on the sweets of God’s word but refuse to deal with the call to commitment that is demanded in the Bible. Satan will fight against all who choose to be firm in this, but we are more than conquerors through him who loves us and gave his life for us! Will you and I be spectators or join in the fight? God is waiting for our answer. What will it be?
C R Lord - 12/28/2010
The Word of Our God Shall Stand Forever - Isaiah 40:8
Psalms 119:105 - Thy word is a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my path
