LESSON 3

THE BIBLE

Is the Bible the Word of God? How do you know if the Bible is the Word of God? There are many arguments for the Bible being inerrant, infallible and authoritative. But no one and no argument can tell you whether it is God's Word or not. Only you can decide for yourself and that by reading it. What good is an inerrant text that is never read? I believe in my heart that the Bible is God's Word because through it he speaks to me like no other book I read. When I have doubts it is the reading of the Bible that re-ignites my faith. God speaks to me through the reading of his Word.

It is not an argument because it is a subjective experience. I cannot convince another person that the Bible is God's Word--I may tell that person what the Bible is to me, and I can believe it is God's Word, but the other person must find for himself whether it be so or not.

Many persons are convinced that the Bible is God's inerrant, infallible Word but let the Bible gather dust except on Sundays. They are convinced because they have been taught by others of the Bible's inerrancy and infallibility. They proudly defend it to others and suspect anyone who disagrees with them as liberal or unbelieving. They use it to defend the faith, convince others of the validity of Chrisitianity and "prove" whatever theological position they may be supporting. The Bible is a great conpendium of proof texts which they memorize in order to gain the upper hand in arguments.

My challenge to any person is to discover for themselves whether the Bible is indeed God's Word and not claim that it is until they themselves have confronted God through the reading of it. Words like 'inerrancy' and 'infallibility' matter little to a person who finds God through the reading of his Word. I do not care one whit whether an old wood stove has scratches on it as long as it brings me heat. I do not care whether the Bible is inerrant or infallible. The Bible is the Word God has given us and through it God is able to bring us to salvation, whatever translation we may have.

My regret is not that I don't know how to describe the Bible properly but that I don't read it enough. It is the testimony of men who were moved by the Spirit of God and who experienced his saving grace. And it is through their testimonies that I find my faith. I cannot by scientific examination or argument prove to you anything about the Bible. I can only say that "whereas I was blind, I now can see."

[I would be appreciative of anyone who might be able to help me find a way to properly space my paragraphs in this blog. I simply cannot find a way to indent paragraphs or put spacing between paragraphs. Thanks!]