Lessons in Critical Thinking (3 of 12)

Is vs. Contains

Either the Bible is the Word of God, or it merely contains the Word of God. If the Bible contains the Word of God, that means that I must diligently search it in order to ascertain which parts really are His Word and which parts are not.

If you and I both search the Scriptures in order to ascertain which really is the Word of God and which is not, we will, more than likely, come to different conclusions (unless we agree that it is all the Word of God). There may be parts of Scripture you do not like and other parts which I do not like, so in our own “wisdom” we would each exclude those parts as being the “Word of God.” If we continued this process with many people, certainly we would come to the conclusion that none of it is the “Word of God.” In essence, then, what we have done is torn down the foundation and made none of it worth anything. We have taken away its authority. And notice who then, really, becomes the authority. We do, that is fallible human, fallen into sin, human minds.

On the other hand, if we believe the Bible really is the Word of God, that means that we are bound to all of it. There may be parts with which we disagree or do not like, but that does not rob it of its authority. Instead, understanding that the Bible is the Word of God means that it does have authority and even all authority. That the Bible is the Word of God means that there are absolutes, that there is an ultimate authority to whom we are all responsible. That the Bible is the Word of God means that we are and will be held accountable for our actions. And it means that if we can believe God in one part of the Bible, we can believe Him in all parts. Notice then, who really is the authority, our loving Creator God.

Textbooks, theories, hypothesis, and the like come and go and change. The Word of God has never and will never change. So, do we believe in the thoughts and wisdom of man or in the Word of God?