Have you ever heard someone say the Bible contains the Word of God, but isn’t actually the Word of God itself? This subtle shift in thinking has HUGE consequences!
This post addresses the dangerous idea that the Bible is not the literal Word of God, but merely contains it, or becomes it when read. If the Bible isn’t truly God’s word, can we really trust it? What happens if we start picking and choosing what we believe?
In my latest video, I dive deep into this question, exploring what the Bible says about itself and why it’s crucial to have a firm foundation in the truth of God’s Word.
Video Summary generated with Artificial Intelligence.
Does the Bible say it is the Word of God? Yes! Let’s look at some key verses.
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
This verse is powerful. It shows that the people in Thessalonica didn’t just hear words; they received the message as the actual Word of God. They understood that it wasn’t just human opinion.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Did you catch that? All Scripture is God-breathed! This means God Himself inspired it. It’s not just a collection of stories or wise sayings. It has divine origin and authority.
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
This verse emphasizes the purity and completeness of God’s Word. It warns us not to add to or subtract from it. It’s perfect as it is.
These verses clearly teach that the Bible is the Word of God. But what about those who say it only “contains” the Word, or that it “becomes” the Word when we read it? Let’s take a look at those ideas.
Many people suggest that the Bible only contains the Word of God, or that it becomes the Word of God when we read it. But these ideas have major problems.
If the Bible only contains the Word of God, who decides which parts are true? If the Bible merely contains the Word of God, then we get to pick and choose what we believe. That puts us in charge, not God.
I recall a story of when the Presbyterian and Methodist churches uniting in Australia, they formed what was called the “Uniting Church.” The basis of the union stated that the Bible “contains the Word of God.” This seemingly small shift had big consequences.
This change led to theological liberalism. The church began to accept things that go against the Bible. What were some of the negative consequences?
- Acceptance of evolution
- Belief in millions of years
- Acceptance of LGBT issues
- Acceptance of abortion
This is a slippery slope. Once you move away from the Bible as the ultimate authority, it’s easy to compromise on other important issues.
What if the Bible only becomes the Word of God when we read it? That means its truth is based on our interpretation. How can we know what to believe if the Bible’s authority is based on our individual reading of it? This view puts human reason above God’s revelation. We end up determining truth for ourselves.
A compromised view of the Bible often starts with a rejection of a literal Genesis account. Why is Genesis so important?
Genesis 1-11 is the foundation for all doctrine, including gender and marriage. If we don’t take Genesis literally, we undermine the rest of the Bible.
Once you reject a literal Genesis, you’re on a “slippery slope” of unbelief. You’ll start accommodating cultural trends instead of judging them by Scripture. You might even change Scripture to fit with the culture. That’s what happens when we don’t stand on the foundation that the Bible is the Word of God.
If the Bible is truly the Word of God, it must be foundational to our thinking. It should shape how we view the world, how we make decisions, and how we live our lives.
A true biblical worldview is built on the foundation of God’s Word. It’s about seeing the world through God’s eyes, not our own.
To understand what a biblical worldview is, check out other resources that will help you understand more.
The Bible is the inherent, infallible Word of God. Reject the dangerous lie that the Bible is merely a collection of human ideas. Stand firm on the truth!
Don’t let anyone tell you that the Bible is just a book of suggestions or that it’s open to interpretation. It’s the living, breathing Word of God.
