Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Christians believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the books in the Bible, meaning that every word found in the Bible is given to us by God (verbal), everything in the Bible is authoritative (plenary), and every word is also divinely directed (inspired). They also acknowledge God's guidance and control of the human process of determining which writings were to be included in the scriptural canon.

Those same books record God as saying in Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

They also reveal information about God that could only be known through revelation on His part, and they testify to their veracity and accuracy through fulfilled prophecy.

Since those same books state that they are useful to teach us what is true; to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; to correct us when we are wrong; and to teach us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16), that says to me that they provide all the information that God regards as essential for correct conclusions concerning Him, our relationship to Him, and our dealings with other humans.

Other writings about God may contain useful insight and information, but they are purely human products that do not possess the same type of direct divine involvement, and are subject to debate and differing opinions with regard to their arguments and conclusions.

January 19 2020 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kevin Modglin

God's Word is sufficient for faith and to start walking with Him spiritually, but be careful about taking this too far. Yes, God's Word is the only infallible rule of faith and conduct. It gives principles, but not always application. I was part of a church at one time that took this too far, and I became a little like a Pharisee.

We should worship God, not a book. God has already put his law on our hearts (Romans 2:14-15), and has given believers His Holy Spirit if we will listen (John 14:26).

The Bible doesn't give instructions on how to farm or cook, other than crop rotation or letting a field rest, or maybe depending on God for the rain. Concerning modern times, the Bible doesn't talk about cars or computers or movies. Some may decide those things are evil because they're not in the Bible. We can still apply the principles from God's Word and decide some ways to use those things are evil because they harm others, while other uses can be helpful to us and our neighbors.

The early church only had the Old Testament while some churches had letters at various times from the Apostles which eventually were compiled to make the New Testament. The early church still thrived and grew at a much faster rate, even before the content of the Bible was decided by the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. The first English translation of the Bible by Wycliffe was in 1380 A.D.. And the printing press wasn't invented until 1440 A.D..

Keep in mind that the Scribes and Pharisees also had the Old Testament and practiced the law far better than common people, but still went to hell (Matthew 23:15).

It's important to spend time reading God's word. But it's even more important to develop a relationship with God, listening to Him and doing the good things that He puts on your heart. To be a doer, not just a listener or a reader.

July 12 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Scripture is good (Romans 7:12; compare 1 Timothy 1:8). Scripture is perfect (Ps 19:7; compare Psalms 119:142 and James 1:25). Scripture is eternal (Psalms 119:89; compare Matthew 5:18; 24:35; 1 Peter 1:24-25; and Isaiah 40:6-8.

January 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report