The Bible, the word of God, Scriptures, Is it a question of word of God or man?

Whose words?

The Bible, the word of God or man? Read how the authority of the Bible comes through Jesus. It is through Him that the unique meaning of the Bible can be understood

The subject of this writing is the Bible and its understanding. It discusses our attitude to this book and the different approaches that exist in society. It means that everyone has their own way of thinking, with which they study the writings of the Bible. The following three approaches are commonplace:

1. The first group rejects the Bible and looks for reasons to mock it. These people question the Scriptures altogether and are happy to find fault with Christianity or reasons why they don't believe in God. Such an attitude, which is often veiled behind science, logic and criticality, is common and popular in today's society.

2. Other people admire their own intelligence and lower the Bible to the level of their own human understanding. This group is critical towards anything that does not coincide with their intellect. Especially miracles are like that.

This worldview is close to deism. It means that God is nominally honored, but his attributes are diminished. He is a power or an energy beyond our world, but not one that can intervene in the events of the world. In this thought model, the main source of information is no longer the Bible, but a person's own thoughts.

3. The third way is to treat the scriptures with respect. One example of this attitude is the Jews of Berea who sincerely wanted to find out if things were true in light of the Scriptures. Do you belong to this group?

- (Acts 17:10-12) And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

WHOSE WORDS? It is usually of no use trying to convince a nonbeliever that the Bible is the word of God. The nonbeliever does not take the Bible seriously because he does not have a personal relationship with God. He may consider the Bible a manifestation of the religiousness of people. He only sees the contribution of humans. He does not consider the Bible the manifestation of God to us but the thoughts and ideas of God of several people. Most of them have a deistic or naturalistic view that either denies God's existence and His involvement in historical events or the traditional idea that the Bible is God's word to us. It is clear that such people have very little interest in the message of the Bible.

Even though many cannot see anything special in the Scripture, we can find proof of its importance in the Bible itself. One reason why we should consider the Bible to be the Word of God is the fact that the Bible itself says that it is so. The expressions "Thus speaks the Lord" and "The word of the Lord came to me" – which are used in the Bible hundreds of times – refer to this. These expressions prove that God sent his revelation to the prophets.

Similar expressions include "God's word", that to the Jews "were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:2) and God speaking through the prophets. When there are many such sayings, they show the great importance of the Bible. Based on these verses, the importance of the Bible's words and revelation can be justified. However, an unbelieving person does not consider this testimony very strong:

- (Matt 15:6) ... Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

-(Luke 8:11,12) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

- (Luke11:28) But he said, Yes rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

- (John 10:35) If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken

- (Rom 3:1,2) What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.

- (Hebr 1:1-3) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

- (Acts 6:2) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

- (Acts 13:7) Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

- (Acts 20:32) And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

- (Eph 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

- (Col 1:25) Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God

- (1 Thess 2:13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.

- (1 Peter 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever.

The other baseline and a key to understanding the meaning of the Bible is the position of Jesus. Is he what He claimed to be, ergo the Son of God and God descended from heaven, who has announced Himself, or was He merely a normal person, as most people think? Are, e.g., the following passages, where Jesus refers to His own special position and how He differs from everyone else - e.g. in that He is from above and others are from below - true or false? These verses force us to take a stand on His words. Do we place them among truth or falsehood?

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (John 8:45,46) And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

- (John 14:1-6) Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.

5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

It is interesting that the relationship with the Bible and the relationship with Jesus often go hand in hand. When people have a negative relationship with the Bible, their attitude towards Jesus is similar. Those who say that the Bible is only the word of men and not God's revelation to us, often also consider Jesus only a man. These things go hand in hand.

Therefore, the decisive question is: "What do you think about Jesus" and not so much "What do you think about the Bible". If a person first finds Jesus Christ, his attitude towards the Bible will also change. He understands that it is God's revelation without anyone speaking to him about it. This is no surprise because Jesus Himself is called the word of God:

- (John 1:1,14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

- (1 John 1:1,2) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;

- (Rev 19:11-13) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a clothing dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

What if we really assume that Jesus is the Son of God who came from heaven and God who has revealed himself to us? What if we take His words as true and think He is who He said He is? What does it affect?

The answer is that it will certainly lead us to appreciate the Bible in a new way. The authority of the Bible is confirmed specifically through Jesus. It applies both to the writings of the Old Testament, the four gospels of the New Testament and the letters written by the apostles. This is due to three reasons:

• Jesus quoted Old Testament writings in His speeches and considered the events mentioned in them to be historical

• When there are four gospels in the New Testament, they consist mainly of His words.

• The authority of the New Testament letters is based on the fact that the apostles were chosen by Jesus.

Jesus quoted Scriptures. One indication of the importance of the Old Testament scriptures is that Jesus often quoted Scriptures in his speeches. He did not question the Flood, the historicity of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-32) or the creation (Mark 13:19) but considered them historical facts. In addition, he said many times "it is written" and rebuked the Pharisees for making the word of God null and void because of their traditional rules.

So what does this mean? At least it means that if Jesus acknowledges the writings and events of the Old Testament, surely we are not doing wrong if we act in His way. If He is the Son of God, one with God the Father, was in heaven before coming to earth and through whom all things were created (John 1:3, Col 1:16), we can respect His opinion in this area as well. He said e.g. in the following manner:

- (Matt 21:12,13) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.

- (Matt 21:42,43) Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

43 Therefore say I to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

- (Luke 11:27,28) And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said to him, Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which you have sucked.

28 But he said, Yes rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

- (John 17:17) Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

- (Matt 22: 29-33) Jesus answered and said to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,

32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

- (Matt 15:5-8) But you say, Whoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatever you might be profited by me;

6 And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

- (Luke 24:25-27,32,44,45) Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

44 And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

The Gospels and Jesus' own words. What about the four gospels of the New Testament? What evidence do we have that these writings are God's revelation to us and not just people's thoughts and opinions about God? How can you tell the difference between these two things?

The answer can be found again in Jesus, who is the central figure of the New Testament. If He is the Son of God, one with God the Father and was in heaven before coming to earth, He cannot be passed. Without Him and His earthly influence, these writings would not have even been born.

Thus, one indication of the meaning and authority of the New Testament, and especially the Gospels, are the words of Jesus in them. Since a very large part of the Gospels consist of His words, they are the strongest evidence of how important these writings are. It turns out that they are not just ordinary human chatter, but words of eternal life, God's words to us. This is the conclusion we come to if we take His words as true.

We'll look at some of the quotes where this comes out, as well as some of His claims about Himself. We must classify the following statements as either true or false.

- (Matt 5:21,22) You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

- (Matt 5:27,28) You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

28 But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- (Luke 6:46-48) And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and dig deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently on that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded on a rock.

- (Matt 24:35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

- (John 7:45,46) Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have you not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.

- (John 12:48-50) He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said to me, so I speak.

- (John 14:23,24) Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our stay with him.

24 He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

- (John 6:63, 68,69) It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Letters of the New Testament. The previous paragraphs have shown how the Old Testament and its events are confirmed through the authority of Jesus. It has also been shown how much of the Gospel texts consist of His words.

What about the New Testament letters? It is important to understand that they also receive confirmation through the authority of Jesus. It is because the apostles were chosen and trained by Jesus, the Son of God. He chose them, and therefore it can be assumed that they wrote not only according to their own minds but according to the will of God. That is the starting point for the authority of these writings. Another internal criterion for the authority of e.g. Paul's letters is that Peter compared them to the Scriptures, the Word of God. Let's study some verses about this issue:

- (Luke 6:13-16) And when it was day, he called to him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

- (John 15:16) You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

- (2 Peter 3:15,16) And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you;

16 As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

Why do people reject the revelation of the Bible? Although the importance of the Bible's revelation can be understood through Jesus, many do not take this revelation seriously. They consider it impossible that the Bible would have expressed God's plan and will for us, and that God would have spoken through the written word.

So what is the cause of such an attitude? The main reason is of course a negative attitude towards Jesus, but often the background is also a deistic or naturalistic worldview. Both worldviews prevent taking the writings seriously.

Thus, in the first of these worldviews, in deism, the universe is considered closed to God's influence; He is not interested in it. He has only given it a start, but has not influenced events since then. That is why miracles cannot happen and the miraculous things mentioned in the Bible are not possible. Based on this, the possibility that God could announce himself verbally is also denied. The universe is like a closed box that God has not been able to influence.

What about naturalism? Naturalistic people go even further. They believe that matter is all that exists, so then there is no God and no revelation from God. The possibility of both is denied, so naturalism as a worldview is practically atheism. Some such persons may indeed use Christian vocabulary, but they have given it a whole new content and meaning.

The following example is related to the topic. Its sections 2 and 3 describe very well the deistic and naturalistic thought pattern and worldview that people have in relation to the revelation of the Bible:

Consider three possible theological claims: (1) God exists, and He interacts and communicates with people. (2) God exists, but He does not interact. (3) God does not exist. It is clear that only in the first case do we have any chance of attaining a rich and detailed knowledge of God. The other two cases – that God exists but is silent, or that God does not exist – are impossible to distinguish from each other in terms of consequences. So if we want to consider the possibility that God exists, we must seriously consider the claim that God interacts and communicates with us. Otherwise, we are practical atheists. (1)

Why then can't God communicate with man and announce himself also in verbal form? While naturalists and deists deny this possibility, there are still some good reasons to believe this view. These reasons are:

God's love. If it is true that God is love that wants people to be with Him, it is natural that He would let people know about it. Verbal notification is an excellent way to do this, because without it, a person's understanding of the ultimate questions may remain incomplete. Other forms of notification do not give people sufficient information.

Giving a revelation is also logical. If God exists, if He is love and man is a being of eternity, then it is natural that God approaches man and gives information about Himself and His own plans. Only people's prejudices prevent them from believing in this possibility.

In our time, there is a conviction that it is not possible for God to reveal Himself in verbal form, even if He exists. According to this assumption, God cannot direct the work of human writers so that God's revelation is reliably recorded in verbal form. On this basis, it is denied that the Bible is an authentic revelation from God. Closely related to this is the question: On the basis of what criteria is it possible to identify God's authentic revelation and distinguish it from inauthentic ones?

Many atheists and agnostics absolutely reject the idea of God's word revelation. Even many Christian theologians find it difficult to acknowledge the existence of God's authentic revelation, because they often do their research under the conditions of an atheistic or agnostic view.

However, there is nothing inconsistent about the idea of God's revelation. "Increasing the knowledge of intelligent beings cannot be inconsistent with God's wisdom, goodness or holiness" (Alexander 1972: p. 61) (2)

It would be contrary to God's goodness to leave man ignorant of essential truths. Without verbal revelation, a person's understanding of the ultimate questions remains vague, because other forms of revelation, despite their clarity, do not give a person the information needed for salvation. (3)

Human understanding. Another reason is that humans were created as intellectual beings, distinct from the rest of creation. Only man prays, he has language and the ability to speak and the ability to understand written text. If it is true that we are created in God's image and communion with Him, it is natural to assume that these human faculties are meant for communication, not only with other people but also with God. We can pray and turn to God, but also read verbal revelation.

- (Gen 1:26,27) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

"The Bible is an outdated book". One claim in society is that the message and content of the Bible is outdated and not relevant today. It has been suggested that it is an ordinary book written by humans. It contains people's thoughts about God, but not God's revelation, and that it is based on the mythical and old worldview of its time, which no longer works in our time. Now we know more, because knowledge about man and the universe has increased. Therefore, an enlightened person should reject the idea that God could speak to him through the scriptures. In its place, he can put his own morality and reason, which should be given greater value than the teachings of the Bible, Jesus and the apostles.

However, the previous thoughts can be questioned. There are good reasons to believe in the topicality of the Bible. We highlight two such reasons:

• Truth never gets old

• Changed lives

Truth never gets old. When the claim that the content of the Bible is outdated is made, the most important question is usually not asked: What if the teaching of this book, especially of Jesus and the apostles he appointed, is true? When it is known that almost all events mentioned in the Bible are confirmed either by nature (the Flood), archeology or other historical sources, who can say that its message is outdated? If these are historical events, and Jesus' teachings about himself, heaven and damnation are true, shouldn't they be taken seriously?

It is therefore worth considering the matter of truth, because the truth is something that never gets old. It does not have a "best before" date, but is always as current and can never change. Although people may argue against it, it remains relevant and fresh. It matters at all times and cannot be ignored. It's stupid if we don't take it seriously.

Let's look at some verses that relate to the topic. They repeatedly talk about the truth, its presentation, its rejection and the lie. If Jesus and the apostles are right, then all those who question their teachings are wrong. Only one of these groups is based on the truth and what they say is current. Today we must consider who is right. Our entire eternal destiny may depend on it.

- (John 19:35) And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said true, that you might believe.

- (John 21:24) This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

- (1 John 2:27) But the anointing which you have received of him stays in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him.

- (2 Peter 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

- (John 5:33,34) You sent to John, and he bore witness to the truth.

34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that you might be saved.

- (Matt 22:16) And they sent out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.

- (John 1:14,17) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

- (John 8:31,32) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

- (John 8:44-46) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (John 18:36-38) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find in him no fault at all.

- (Gal 5:7,8) You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion comes not of him that calls you.

- (1 Tim 2:3,4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Changed lives. The topicality of the Bible is also shown by the fact that many people's lives have changed and are changing through hearing or reading the Word. A drug addict may be freed from his drugs, an alcoholic from his drinking, or someone else may change when he first receives the word of the Gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ can still change every person, whether it is question of a hardened sinner or a lesser sinner.

We're looking at a quote from a well-known person whose inner life is, however, unknown to most. She is Kim Phuc, famous for a photo from the Vietnam War. In this photo, Kim is running naked because her clothes are burnt - they were burned by napalm bombs when they were used in the attack. Shortly after the photo was taken, Kim lost her consciousness. He was hospitalized for fourteen months and underwent 17 operations. However, after long steps, she encountered Jesus by reading the Bible. She accepted Jesus as her savior. In the same way, each of us can meet the Savior when we read about him in the pages of the Bible. God's grace and love is available to every person, but we have to want it ourselves. Respond positively to this invitation!

Although I suffered from pain, itching and headaches all the time, the long time spent in the hospital made me dream of becoming a doctor. But the government cut my studies short. They wanted to use me as a symbol of the state. I wasn't allowed to study anymore. The anger inside me was as high as a mountain. I hated my life. I hated all normal people because I wasn't normal. Many times I really wanted to die. I spent my days in the library reading a lot of religious books to find a purpose in my life. One of the books I read was the Holy Bible. At Christmas 1982, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. (4)

REFERENCES:

1. J. Suppe: Thoughts on Epistemology of Christianity in Light of Science, The news: Newsletter of the Society of Christian Geologists, p. 8, spring 1992

2. Archibald Alexander: Evidences of the Authenticity, Inspiration and Canonical Authority of the Holy Scriptures. New York: Arno, 1972, p. 61

3. Tapio Puolimatka’s article in Jumalan sana, inspiroitu ja erehtymätön (edited by Petri Mäkilä & Pasi Turunen)

4. Kim Phuc: The Long Road To Forgiveness (2008). http://www.npr.org/_templates/_story/_story.php?storyId=91964687