...of inspiration and idols
Yesterday I said I would say more about: " ....how we have taken inspired words to become the Word of God …. and turned written things into an Idol… there is only one Word of God… His name is Jesus." Actually... I lied... I mean I intended to write about it.... instead I am ending up quoting somebody else who said it better than I could... a guy named Steve Hill. He says it very clearly... and this is only part of what he said....
"Friends, It is common for many to refer to the Bible as "The Word of God" . However, this is not how the Master identifies it. In John 5:39- 40 Jesus confronts the religious scholars of His day, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you might have life."
In the scriptures the designation "The Word of God" applies only to the Living Word, Jesus. This same Jesus declares that the purpose of the scriptures is to testify of Him and that it is entirely possible to study them and miss Him. If we make the Scriptures "The Word of God" rather than Jesus, we have created an idol. Your faith is not to primarily be in the scripture, your faith is to be in Jesus. That is why Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples so that they could see all that was written in "the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms" concerning Himself (Luke 24:44- 45). The primary purpose of the scriptures is to create a history and a context in which Jesus can be clearly seen. The scriptures are not the Word of God. The scriptures testify to the Word of God.
Actually the only words that scripture records God writing directly are the ten commandments. The testimony about the rest? " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16).
Now here it can get technical but "by inspiration of God" is a very different reality than "by the finger of God". For example, under inspiration the gospel writers wrote four very different accounts of the life of Jesus. Those accounts highlight their different personalities, educational backgrounds, life experiences and writing styles. Yet we do not say one or the other was more inspired. The Word had become flesh in them and was expressed through them. God did not possess them. God did not control their pens. God inspired them. They testified to Jesus.
If we understand that the scriptures are primarily about bearing testimony to Jesus (even as we are to be primarily about bearing testimony to Jesus!) that changes how we read them. The scriptures were not intended to present a rational system about God but a relational story about Jesus. Rational systems are rationally determined which leaves the mind in control. That is why we can argue systems of theology forever- they are controlled by our minds. A reality controlled by my mind makes my mind god. "
Hopefully this will help us to revisit one of the sacred cows many of us were taught to worship.... there is only one Word of God... hmmm... sounds like where I left off yesterday... one Word... Jesus.
:)
"Friends, It is common for many to refer to the Bible as "The Word of God" . However, this is not how the Master identifies it. In John 5:39- 40 Jesus confronts the religious scholars of His day, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you might have life."
In the scriptures the designation "The Word of God" applies only to the Living Word, Jesus. This same Jesus declares that the purpose of the scriptures is to testify of Him and that it is entirely possible to study them and miss Him. If we make the Scriptures "The Word of God" rather than Jesus, we have created an idol. Your faith is not to primarily be in the scripture, your faith is to be in Jesus. That is why Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples so that they could see all that was written in "the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms" concerning Himself (Luke 24:44- 45). The primary purpose of the scriptures is to create a history and a context in which Jesus can be clearly seen. The scriptures are not the Word of God. The scriptures testify to the Word of God.
Actually the only words that scripture records God writing directly are the ten commandments. The testimony about the rest? " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16).
Now here it can get technical but "by inspiration of God" is a very different reality than "by the finger of God". For example, under inspiration the gospel writers wrote four very different accounts of the life of Jesus. Those accounts highlight their different personalities, educational backgrounds, life experiences and writing styles. Yet we do not say one or the other was more inspired. The Word had become flesh in them and was expressed through them. God did not possess them. God did not control their pens. God inspired them. They testified to Jesus.
If we understand that the scriptures are primarily about bearing testimony to Jesus (even as we are to be primarily about bearing testimony to Jesus!) that changes how we read them. The scriptures were not intended to present a rational system about God but a relational story about Jesus. Rational systems are rationally determined which leaves the mind in control. That is why we can argue systems of theology forever- they are controlled by our minds. A reality controlled by my mind makes my mind god. "
Hopefully this will help us to revisit one of the sacred cows many of us were taught to worship.... there is only one Word of God... hmmm... sounds like where I left off yesterday... one Word... Jesus.
:)
