Chapter 44:   SHE BELIEVES IN AN INSPIRED BIBLE

by Arlie Hoover

The question, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" is found in Luke 6:46. When Jesus asked this question he was criticizing those people, then and now, who try to make a false distinction between his person and his word. Some folks say, "I believe in Jesus so what does it really matter what I think about the Bible?" 

But it does matter, say the Churches of Christ. It matters greatly what you believe about the Bible! Jesus himself will not let you make this false distinction between his person and his word. He often quoted the Scriptures as originating with God the Father (Matthew 19:4-5). When the Pharisees tried to replace God's commandment in the Law of Moses with their own tradition, he accused them of making void the word of God (Mark 7:13). 

Jesus' strongest statement about the complete trustworthiness of the Bible is John 10:35. In a discussion over his divinity he cited Psalm 82:6 and then appended the fateful words, "The Scripture cannot be broken." Since Scripture cannot be broken, an appeal to Scripture is final; it can't be challenged or disproved or denied. 

Christ's high view of the Bible comes out clearly in his constant references to the events in the Old Testament. He always treated them as true, actual, and historically reliable. He mentions, for example, the creation, the flood, the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, the destruction of Sodom, the ordeal of Jonah, and many other episodes. 

He never used these Old Testament stories as if they were myths or legends. On the contrary, their authenticity was essential to the point he was making. If Adam didn't really exist, then Christ's teaching on marriage falls to the ground (Matt. 19:4-6). If David didn't really eat the shewbread, then Jesus' defense of his own similar action is left limping (Matt. 12:1-4). If Jonah didn't really preach and Ninevah really repent, then Christ looks like a fool using this as an illustration of his own coming (Matt. 12:41). Those who have a low view of the Bible make our Lord look naive. 

When we refer to the Bible as the inspired Word of God, therefore, it does not at all take away from Jesus' glory as the living, incarnate Word. In like manner, to call Jesus the Word of God does not at all turn the Bible into an inferior book. Both Jesus and the Bible are the Word of God! Jesus is the personal Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. 

What do we mean when we say the Bible is the inspired Word of God? We mean simply that God controlled the production of his word. The job was not farmed out to sub- ordinates. We mean that the writers of the Bible had special supernatural supervision when they penned the words of God. We mean that the Holy Spirit preserved them from all kinds of errors, errors of fact, errors of doctrine, and errors of judgment. We mean that the Holy Spirit even influenced their choice of language so that the words they used were the very words of God (1 Corinthians 2:13). 

We take our stand, in sum, with all those conservative groups who affirm belief in plenary verbal inspiration.  Peter expressed it well: "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 Pet. 1:20-21 NIV). The literal meaning of the word "moved" in this passage is "carried along," as an ocean current might carry a ship through the water. Peter is saying that though humans were the necessary instruments of revelation, God himself is the ultimate source. 

Note: This material is copyrighted (1981) by Star Bible Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 821220, Fort Worth, TX 76182 and is used with the express permission of Mr. Alvin Jennings, owner