In an increasingly pluralistic and relativistic culture that rejects absolutes and embraces individualistic thought over any truth claims, it is essential the follower of Christ understands the authority found in God's Holy Word. I know the temptation is there for even the Christian to write the Bible off as just a rule book for life; however, it is so much more. There is an awesome authority behind God's Word.
Paul writes to his young protege, Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God..." (2 Timothy 3:16a). Paul has both the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures in mind here and his choice of words does not need to be overlooked. The summation of Paul's point is that Scripture does not find its genesis in man, but rather God. In other words, the Bible is not man's ideas about God, but rather God's revelation of Himself through His chosen men. Scripture is always God's inspiration or idea--not that of mankind. Therefore, there is an authoritative nature of Scripture that should call us to lend our ears and hearts.
The fact that the Bible is written by man should not cause us to question its authority as much as it should cause us to stand in awe of the fact that the Holy and Omnipotent God would choose to use man in His perfect plans of revelation. In addition, let us make no mistake about the nature of that in which they write. These men are not simply writing fairy tales or even fables subjected to the whim of human interpretation. They are writing of first-hand accounts from their own lives. Listen to the Apostle Peter as he writes to the church at Rome...
"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"--and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18)
In addition, the Apostle John (one of Jesus' closest disciples) writes to the church at Ephesus...
"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life--and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:1-4)
Notice the sensory language the two of these New Testament writers use. They are not writing mere stories passed on, but rather first hand eyewitness accounts of the works of God through Christ. Moreover, they know the nature of their writings. Although credit could go to them for their accounts, listen to the testimony and challenge from Peter in regards to the purpose and origin of the words of Scripture...
"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
Paul writes to his young protege, Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God..." (2 Timothy 3:16a). Paul has both the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures in mind here and his choice of words does not need to be overlooked. The summation of Paul's point is that Scripture does not find its genesis in man, but rather God. In other words, the Bible is not man's ideas about God, but rather God's revelation of Himself through His chosen men. Scripture is always God's inspiration or idea--not that of mankind. Therefore, there is an authoritative nature of Scripture that should call us to lend our ears and hearts.
The fact that the Bible is written by man should not cause us to question its authority as much as it should cause us to stand in awe of the fact that the Holy and Omnipotent God would choose to use man in His perfect plans of revelation. In addition, let us make no mistake about the nature of that in which they write. These men are not simply writing fairy tales or even fables subjected to the whim of human interpretation. They are writing of first-hand accounts from their own lives. Listen to the Apostle Peter as he writes to the church at Rome...
"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"--and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18)
In addition, the Apostle John (one of Jesus' closest disciples) writes to the church at Ephesus...
"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life--and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:1-4)
Notice the sensory language the two of these New Testament writers use. They are not writing mere stories passed on, but rather first hand eyewitness accounts of the works of God through Christ. Moreover, they know the nature of their writings. Although credit could go to them for their accounts, listen to the testimony and challenge from Peter in regards to the purpose and origin of the words of Scripture...
"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
(2 Peter 1:20-21)
There are those who reject the historicity and authority of the Bible because it is written by man. Let us be careful, though, for tossing it aside as a result of this. We don't question history books or books of mathematics simply because they are written by man. Instead, we accept their claims because they have proven to be accurate. When approached this way, many historical narratives in literature do not measure up to the historicity of the Bible. For example, we have ten original manuscripts of Caesars' Gallic Wars written some 900 years after his death. Moreover, there are 5 original manuscripts of Aristotle's Poetic written some 1400 years after his death. Very few question the accuracy or historicity of these documents. When it comes to the Scriptures, however, we have approximately 5000 Greek mansucripts--the earliest of these written less than 100 years after the events took place. From an historical point of view, this is astounding!
The Bible is written in 3 different languages ( Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) on 3 different continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) by 40 different authors (most of which have little or no contact with one another) spanning a time of over 1600 years. Yet, one central message rings out: God redeeming His people back to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ for His glory.
The authority of the Bible is matchless and continues to change lives today. It is relevant, authoritative, and full of grace and Truth. We do ourselves well by taking heed to its instructions for life and godliness. But, if we do not, our negligence does not change its validity or authority--His Truth most certainly marches on.
