06 January 2024
I suppose we are due for a review on the question of Scripture as the Word of God.
Basic statement: We are accountable to Scripture. It should not be necessary to carry say much more. Still, the field is littered with man-made nonsense, so maybe I can help you clarify things, at least for what you should expect from this blog.
The Bible is not a book of magic, nor a magical book. I don't worship the Bible. I've said often enough that I reject the notion of "propositional truth". It's not really that hard to do some research and discover that, from the smorgasbord of human cultural notions on metaphysics, the Hebrew people -- starting with Abraham and running at least through the Exile -- were not unique. That is, the Hebrew intellectual traditions share an awful lot with other ancient cultures near them in time and place. And those cultures uniformly rejected the notion of "propositional truth".
The single greatest flaw of American Christian religion is not just the false assumptions of a quasi-Aristotelian approach to truth, but the vehement rejection of the Hebrew approach, while claiming to serve the Hebrew God. Religious leaders are surprisingly hostile to the way Jesus looked at the world.
The "Word of God" refers to the Person of Christ. The book we call "the Bible" is a record of that Word. It tells the story of the Father's work with the Nation of Israel and those who chose to follow His teaching after He showed up in human in this world. The Bible is not Christ; it is not the whole of God's Word by any means. The Lord still speaks and reveals Himself to this day. Still, no Word from God will contradict the record in the Bible.
Understand this fallen human instinct: People are trying to avoid the Flaming Sword of God's Word. That Sword of God's revelation is living and active. It adjusts to where you are right now and all throughout your human existence. It must become a permanent feature in your life here, always killing your fleshly nature. Its work is never done so long as you live.
So, it's quite natural that fallen humans gin up a notion that anything from God is "sacred" in a way that separates it from themselves. They can objectify holiness and make it something external, and therefore something they can avoid. Referring to Scripture as "propositional truth" externalizes the revelation; it keeps it separate from us. It reduces it to something we can handle or not handle. A true surrender means you become a part of it.
Depersonalizing the sacred makes it a weapon to control others. It's the greatest temptation of teachers and preachers to believe that the Word for themselves is, of necessity, the Word for everyone. If they can objectify the Word, then they can define it in ways that limit others. So you'll hear them tell you, "It says what it says." That translates to: "It says what I say it says."
The act of translation alone would invalidate the concept of propositional truth, along with infallibility and plenary verbal inspiration. That we have no original manuscripts also invalidates those terms. But I'm equally hostile to those at the other end of the spectrum who would pass judgment on Scripture as an excuse to reject the testimony of the saints. It is not just man-made literature. I'm confronted all too often with folks who want to toss out passages they don't like, including some people who reject all of Paul's letters. Don't pretend we have any fellowship.
But if you want to add the Catholic canon, have at it. Don't expect me to comment on it; I have all I can do writing about the parts I do cover. Radix Fidem does not address you finding inspiration and guidance in other writings. However, as a matter of doctrinal guidance in our community, you had best not find yourself espousing things that are counter to the contents of the Protestant canon. In essence, you can add all you like via your own convictions, whether written or simply notional, but you cannot subtract from what is there and remain a part of our community.
The Bible has no power of its own. If it does not breathe life into the Savior already in your soul, then the Bible is just ink on paper. If it does not change you, then quoting Bible passages is just literature. It is neither mere data nor sentiment, but is calling you to prostrate yourself at the Creator's feet. People who love Him love His book because it sounds like Him. That's how I know to call you family.
All I can tell you is what it says to me, how it empowers my victory over the flesh. Sometimes I state it to remind you, but it's always my basic assumption: You should look into it yourself and hear from your own convictions. The whole idea is to invite you into conference with the Lord Himself. The joy is beyond words. But while it should stir you, it's a stirring for obedience.
The only valid question, then, is what does the Bible require of us. All the other blather about it misses the point.
Side note: Should the coming destruction God rains down on this world be so complete as to render humans to a place of starting over from scratch (like the Flood of Noah), then I have full confidence that His Word will manifest afresh, just as it did long after Noah's time. God would appoint survivors like Noah who know His Word even if they have no copies of the Bible. He will simply lead them to write a new one. And you can bet it will carry the same message as the one we have now, just clothed in a fresh set of circumstances.
It is not the particular contents of our Bible today that is written in Heaven. The record there cannot be confined to words of human language. What is "written in Heaven" (a figure of speech) is the Person of Christ.
Comments
Jay DiNitto
Your thoughts on the cyclical disaster and Noah echo a lot of what I've been thinking about lately. As in, what manner will God's word continue? If Ben is correct, it will be worse than Noah in some ways, assuming Noah is one of the in-between half cycles. But God could do anything He wants with the cycle. Interesting to explore how we might be prepared for it.
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