The WORD of God

[BobRyan]

Looking for a thread on this board where this post will not get cut.

In 2Pet 1:20-21 Peter says that the Word of God is not a matter of one man's interpretation. But rather men of old "Moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God"

Paul makes the same case in 2Tim 3:16-17 saying that ALL scripture is "given by inspiration from God AND is to be used for doctrine"

And as Paul said in 1Thess 2 that the preaching of the Apostles was "NOT taken as the word of man - but rather it was taken for what it really is - the Word of God".

By contrast many of our agnostic friends will simply claim that the Word of God is nothing more than "the best efforts of well intentioned men living in prescience cultures".

What say you?

(Assuming this post does not get cut).

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

On another thread on this board - someone suggested that we refer to the Bible as "the word of man" not "the Word of God" -- what think you?

[phkrause]

On another thread on this board - someone suggested that we refer to the Bible as "the word of man" not "the Word of God" -- what think you?

I think its sad

[miz3]

Looking for a thread on this board where this post will not get cut.

In 2Pet 1:20-21 Peter says that the Word of God is not a matter of one man's interpretation. But rather men of old "Moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God"

Paul makes the same case in 2Tim 3:16-17 saying that ALL scripture is "given by inspiration from God AND is to be used for doctrine"

And as Paul said in 1Thess 2 that the preaching of the Apostles was "NOT taken as the word of man - but rather it was taken for what it really is - the Word of God".

By contrast many of our agnostic friends will simply claim that the Word of God is nothing more than "the best efforts of well intentioned men living in prescience cultures".

What say you?

(Assuming this post does not get cut).

in Christ,

Bob

I say emphatically that on this issue you are 100% correct and nothing could be more correct. The Bible is indeed and in FACT the Word of God.

If others want to believe differently they are entitled to their views. However, they can not establish that our belief in the Word of God as the Word of God is not true and that their belief system is a LOCK FACT.

Every belief system is established on that one pesky word and that word is:

FAITH!

Every belief system is based on that singular word including the agnostic position of "reasonableness" or "logic". In fact it is not "reasonable" for our agnostic friends to believe in "reasonableness" because such a belief is also based on "FAITH". Since their position and my position are both based on "FAITH" then they fail because their position is supposed to be based on "reasonableness" and not on "FAITH".

Unfortunately our agnostic friends keep looking for the "holy grail" which is actually something "tangible" that will establish their position as eternally correct. Many of them believe that science is the best avenue to achieve this.

Everything but everything always boils down to:

FAITH!

[miz3]

Looking for a thread on this board where this post will not get cut.

In 2Pet 1:20-21 Peter says that the Word of God is not a matter of one man's interpretation. But rather men of old "Moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God"

Paul makes the same case in 2Tim 3:16-17 saying that ALL scripture is "given by inspiration from God AND is to be used for doctrine"

And as Paul said in 1Thess 2 that the preaching of the Apostles was "NOT taken as the word of man - but rather it was taken for what it really is - the Word of God".

By contrast many of our agnostic friends will simply claim that the Word of God is nothing more than "the best efforts of well intentioned men living in prescience cultures".

What say you?

(Assuming this post does not get cut).

in Christ,

Bob

Where on this forum did you get cut in regard to what you say above?

Are we getting the "true context" of your experience?

If we could go to where you got cut then we could see the context for ourselves.

[John317]

On another thread on this board - someone suggested that we refer to the Bible as "the word of man" not "the Word of God" -- what think you?

If a non-Christian said it, I would say it's OK because we shouldn't expect any different. But if it was someone who claims to be a Christian or an SDA, then it would be outrageous. However, in this day and age, things that used to be considered outrageous are too often viewed as good.

But the Bible predicted the time would come when evil would be considered good and good evil. That is the time we are living in today.

To denounce sin is viewed as close-minded and mean-spirited, whereas to praise unrepentent violators of God's law is viewed as Christian.

God's prophet said, "It is better to die than sin," but today many SDAs say, "It is better to sin than to die. God would never expect us to die rather than sin."

[BobRyan]

[Where on this forum did you get cut in regard to what you say above?

Are we getting the "true context" of your experience?

If we could go to where you got cut then we could see the context for ourselves.

[BobRyan]

On another thread on this board - someone suggested that we refer to the Bible as "the word of man" not "the Word of God" -- what think you?

[BobRyan]

Here is another post that sheds light on the idea that the Bible is to be treated as the "Word of God".

The Scriptures are to be received as God's word to us, not written merely, but spoken. When the afflicted ones came to Christ, He beheld not only those who asked for help, but all who throughout the ages should come to Him in like need and with like faith. When He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee"; when He said to the woman of Capernaum, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace," He spoke to other afflicted, sin-burdened ones who should seek His help. {FLB 9.4}

So with all the promises of God's Word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking as directly as if we could listen to His voice. It is in these promises that Christ communicates to us His grace and power. They are leaves from that tree which is "for the healing of the nations." Received, assimilated, they are to be the strength of the character, the inspiration and sustenance of the life.

{FLB 9.5}

The physician has precious opportunities for directing his patients to the promises of God's word. He is to bring from the treasure house things new and old, speaking here and there the words of comfort and instruction that are longed for. Let the physician make his mind a storehouse of fresh thoughts. Let him study the word of God diligently, that he may be familiar with its promises. Let him learn to repeat the comforting words that Christ spoke during His earthly ministry when giving His lessons and healing the sick. He should talk of the works of healing wrought by Christ, of His tenderness and love. Never should he neglect to direct the minds of his patients to Christ, the Chief Physician. {MH 121.2}

The same power that Christ exercised when He walked visibly among men is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea and raised the dead, and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the word of God, as He had spoken to all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ. {MH 122.1}

Thoughts?

in Christ,

Bob

[miz3]

Originally Posted By: miz3

[Where on this forum did you get cut in regard to what you say above?

Are we getting the "true context" of your experience?

If we could go to where you got cut then we could see the context for ourselves.

Good point - it is hard to see the evidence of a cut post - but I think you can get the gist of it...

In fact I think you are posting on that thread now.

But since you asked - I will show where my opening post here gets cut from another thread - though as noted it is not easy to show a cut-post trail.

Originally Posted By: BobRyan

Apparently that reference to 2Peter 1:20-21 and 2Tim 3:16-17 did not make the cut.

Originally Posted By: teresaq(sda)

Bobryan, how do you understand Ellen White's statement here which is the subject of this thread? Have you thought about it at all?

[Tom Wetmore]

Bob,

You have failed to give the context of that other thread. You have not included the EGW quote that was the focus of the OP of that thread. The question was asked to simply explain what it meant.

Quote:

The Bible is written by inspired men, but it is not God's mode of thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not represented. Men will often say such an expression is not like God. But God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God's penmen, not His pen. Look at the different writers. {1SM 21.1}

The request was to explain what that EGW quote means. My post that you posted above was out of that context.

The paragraph that follows the above quote also expresses a similar thought from EGW but concludes with essentially describing how human words become known as the word of God:

Quote:

It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man's words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words receive the impress of the individual mind. The divine mind is diffused. The divine mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of the man are the word of God.-- Manuscript 24, 1886 (written in Europe in 1886). {1SM 21.2}

[Gail]

This may be overly simplistic, but the other day I was thinking of the reason why I prefer Scripture in sermons rather than stories or excerpts from the popular books out today.

It came down to this, that the best human writers (songsters, poets, etc) express through their heart.

The Bible says that the heart is ALSO a place most deceitful. It offers an insight that transcends what we can come up with.

There are many fine works out there by talented men, but the Bible still stirs the heart like nothing else.

Question is- how can one prove that, or even explain it outside of God's Word?

[Daryl]

Whoever and however did anybody coin such as thing as the Bible being "The Word of Man" over "The Word of God"?

[John317]

Yes, the Bible is written by men and they wrote in their own language, using concepts with which they were familiar. However, as Ellen White has said, God is the real author of the Bible.

When people write about the Bible being "the word of man," I suspect their reason for doing it is to downgrade the Holy Scriptures' authority in minds of their readers. Perhaps I am totally wrong about this, and I hope I am.

Atheists and agnostics would certainly agree that the Bible is "the word of man." But they would definitely deny that it's God's Word.

There are many great books that are the word of man, but they aren't authoritative for knowledge of God as His Word is. They contain many errors and if we don't measure them by God's Word, we will find ourselves believing and teaching falsehoods that have absolutely no basis in the Scriptures.

All of the Bible is inspired, or God-breathed. There aren't some parts that are more inspired than others. This includes Jude and 2 Peter, which some SDAs on this Forum have said are not trustworthy.

[ClubV12]

Daryl Fawcett,,, I'm with you on that thought!

I didn't even know it was an issue! Of course the bible is the word of God. Written by men, under inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit and preserved down through the ages.

[BobRyan]

On another thread on this board - someone suggested that we refer to the Bible as "the word of man" not "the Word of God" -- what think you?

[BobRyan]

Reminds me of that question "does it really matter" when subjects come up about just what God may have told/shown this or that prophet.

in Christ,

Bob

[Tom Wetmore]

...and how does this matter then?

[ClubV12]

Bob says,

"Looking for a thread on this board where this post will not get cut."

I thought you were exaggerating a bit Bob, but it looks like a recent post of mine has mysteriously disappeared. It's hard to notice when things go missing, I wonder how many bodies are hidden? How big is that mass grave?

[12tribes]

Looking for a thread on this board where this post will not get cut.

In 2Pet 1:20-21 Peter says that the Word of God is not a matter of one man's interpretation. But rather men of old "Moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God"

Paul makes the same case in 2Tim 3:16-17 saying that ALL scripture is "given by inspiration from God AND is to be used for doctrine"

And as Paul said in 1Thess 2 that the preaching of the Apostles was "NOT taken as the word of man - but rather it was taken for what it really is - the Word of God".

By contrast many of our agnostic friends will simply claim that the Word of God is nothing more than "the best efforts of well intentioned men living in prescience cultures".

What say you?

(Assuming this post does not get cut).

in Christ,

Bob

Isaiah 41:21-23

(21) Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

(22) Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

(23) Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

About one third of the Bible is prophecy some with great detail that cannot be by man only someone who can see the future. People have tried to prove the Bible wrong and failed. Saddam Hussian tried to prove the Bible wrong by building the ancient city of Babylon and failed why? Because the Bible says it would never be rebuilt, God's word.