CLI Papers

Hi all,



Here is another paper from school. I am out at School lectures this week (I am in a distance learning program at the CLI).



Paper One for Dogmatics, Assessing the Statement
“The Bible contains the Word of God.”
Andrew Higginbotham

The Purpose of this paper is to examine the statement, “The Bible contains the Word of God.” Is it a good theological statement? I would contend that the Bible does not only contain the Word of God. It IS the Word of God. And I believe that makes all the difference. Ultimately, this is a discussion of the inerrancy of Scripture. Is the Bible the inspired, infallible, inerrant, Word of God? Or is it partially the Word of God and partially the word of man?

To begin, the first difference concerns the part of speech the word “contains” is, versus what the word “is” would mean if put in the place of “contains”. Understanding English grammar is important here. The word “contains” in the context of the statement, “The Bible contains the Word of God” is a verb transitive. Meaning that, it shows an action or attribute of the subject (Bible) and carries it to the direct object (Word of God). Conversely, we have the statement, “The Bible is the Word of God.” Here the verb “is” is a Linking verb, which is essentially an equal sign! Meaning that, the subject (Bible) is synonymous with predicate noun (Word of God). That said, what we mean is that, the Bible does not just contain (as an attribute) the Word of God, it is (as in equal to) the Word of God.

Saying that, “the Bible contains the Word of God” rather than “the Bible is the Word of God” denies the inerrancy of Scripture. Verses such as Psalms 12:6-7, Psalms 119:89, Proverbs 30:5, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16, etc., clearly state that the Word of God is settled and fixed. Many (especially Mormons) say something similar to this: “The Bible is true so far as it is correctly translated.” This statement is then twisted and, in actuality, means that where the Bible agrees with their teaching it is true. Rather, the test should be in the other direction (Bible to other sources) as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 directs, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” In addition, verses such as Psalms 119:89 show us that the Bible has been around from the beginning. However, it was only gradually that it was revealed to men as the Spirit gave utterance. And what was revealed at anytime in history is what was sufficient for that time until the fullness of the gospel was revealed.

You may still ask, what is the difference between the two statements? The difference is simple. Looking at the statement “The cup contains ice,” the word “contains” simply means, that the cup has ice in it. Whereas if we were to say, “The cup is ice,” we would mean that there “is” (exists) an ice sculpture of a cup. In the first example, there is more than ice, there is also a cup (which is glass or another substance). Thus you see the ice in the cup is not altogether one substance, but is made up of at least two components: ice and glass. Conversely, the ice sculpture of a cup is ice and that is all that there is. The whole thing is ice even if there are ice cubs inside, it is still all ice. So when we say that “the Bible contains the Word of God,” we imply that there is something other than the actual words of God in the text. However, when we say that “the Bible is the Word of God,” we mean that the whole Book is His words.

Now we apply this to what some believe today. A Mormon or new-age philosopher would agree with the statement, “The Bible contains the Word of God,” because they do believe that at least sections of the Bible are the Word of God.

Let us examine Mormons. A Mormon would contend that there are further additions to the Bible, resulting from new revelations today given to modern prophets and the Book of Mormon. They are heretical because of this teaching which is not consistent with the Bible. Actually, what they are saying is that the cannon of Scripture is not closed. This does not fit with Revelation 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” To summarize, this passage has two meanings (both true): 1. if you add to or take away from Revelation you will be cursed, 2. if you add to or take away from the Bible as a whole, you will also be cursed!

Conversely, a new-age philosopher would believe that sections of the Bible were written by men without direct revelation from God (the Bible was penned by men as God moved them, 2 Peter 1:21). When we understand this, we see that the new-age person is wrong when he says that Scripture was not entirely written at the command and direction of God, thus producing His words through human pens! In other words, what is in the cup is ice, but there are some things in the Bible which are not the Word of God (cup). Understanding this difference is crucial to respond to new-age philosophy.

Conclusively, I believe that we can state that the Word of God is inspired, infallible, and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16). We have seen that the statement “The Bible contains the Word of God,” is not a good theological statement because it points to a belief that the Word of God is either not complete (Mormon), or that it is not completely inspired by God (new age), and thus being the very Words of God (or a cup of ice). It would be correct to say that “The Bible is the Word of God” because they are His Words (or an ice sculpture of a cup). Finally, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD” Psalms 150:6. Let us do this for His wonderful provision for us through giving to us His Words in their entirety. Amen.

Andrew