TBC Doctrinal Class - The Word of God (Part 1)

The Doctrine of Scripture TBC Doctrinal Statement Paragraph 1 Memory verse Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received Christ 7 Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Memory verse Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received Christ 7 Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. “Paul is not primarily referring to receiving Christ Jesus as one’s personal Lord,7 but to the reception of the traditions [apostolic teaching] concerning Christ Jesus the Lord.” David W. Pao, Colossians and Philemon, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 155. Memory verse Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. “They need to be reminded that they have received the authentic gospel of Christ Jesus, who is the Lord of all. Therefore, they should not be deceived by the ‘empty and deceitful philosophy’ that nds its roots in ‘human tradition’ and the ‘elemental spirits of the world’ (v. 8).” David W. Pao, Colossians and Philemon, Zondervan Exegetical fi Commentary on the New Testament: (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 155. Memory verse Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. “The faith” (τῇ πίστει) can refer to one’s personal faith (“your faith,” ASV, NASB, NLT, NET), but in a context that emphasizes the reception of the gospel message (v. 6) and their being “taught” (v. 7), it more likely points to the content of their act of belief: “the faith” (KJV, NAB, NKJV, NJB, NRSV, REB, ESV, NIV). This dative phrase should therefore be understood in the locative sense (“in the faith”), not an instrumental sense (“by your faith”). bolding mine; David W. Pao, Colossians and Philemon, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 158. “Homework” for next week • See handout • Consider doing with a friend or family member • Will use back side of handout later tonight Do we really believe this? fi 1. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore without error. We accept the Scriptures as being the nal authority in matters relating to the faith and life of Believers. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore without error. We accept the Scriptures as being the nal authority in matters relating to the faith and life of Believers. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). 1. The NT and OT are the Word of God. 2. The Word of God is infallible. 3. The Holy Spirit inspired the original manuscripts. 4. The original manuscripts were without error. fi 5. The scriptures are our ultimate authority. What does the word of indicate in the phrase, “the word of God”? 1. possession—“the word belonging to God” 2. material—“the word consisting of God” 3. source—“the word derived from/originating from God” 4. agency—“the word brought by God” 5. reference—“the word about God” source—“the word originating from God” 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and pro table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, fi fi 2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV) knowing this rst of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Why we should care about scripture’s source? 1. The source of a document has a great deal to do with its reliability and its authority. 2. The Devil’s rst interaction with humans was over this very question, “has God said?” Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the eld that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’? fi fi 3. Other religions also claim to have holy books sourced from God. Source matters when . . . 1. There’s a product recall 2. Somebody says, “you must do X.” 3. You get a phone call claiming to be from your bank or claiming to be from your credit card company. 4. You get a notice saying that you haven’t paid your rates. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore without error. We accept the Scriptures as being the nal authority in matters relating to the faith and life of Believers. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). 1. The NT and OT are the Word of God. 2. The Word of God is infallible. 3. The Holy Spirit inspired the original manuscripts. 4. The original manuscripts were without error. fi 5. The scriptures are our ultimate authority. The Word of God is infallible. 1: incapable of error : unerring 2: not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint : certain 3: incapable of error in de ning doctrines touching faith or morals fi https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infallible. accessed 5 April 2023 What some people mean by infallible: “The word ‘infallible' means ‘will not fail’ or ‘trustworthy.’ So to say Scripture is infallible signi es its full trustworthiness ‘as a guide that is not deceived and does not deceive.’2 Infallibility does not mean the Bible cannot contain errors—but rather that it cannot fail.” fi bolding mine; “The Inerrancy of Scripture Versus Infallibility: What’s the Difference?” Karen Engle July 13, 2021 https://www.logos.com/grow/inerrancy-of-scripture/#easy-footnotebottom-6-116975. accessed 5 April 2023 Does the Bible claim to be infallible in the sense of will not fail? Isaiah 55:10–11 (ESV) “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. fi Numbers 23:19 (ESV) God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not ful ll it? Does scripture claim more than just the inability of God’s plan to fail? Remember, out church’s doctrinal statement af rms both infallibility AND that “The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy fi Spirit, and therefore without error.” Infallibility vs. Inerrancy “The inerrantist view goes further [than the infallibility view], holding that Scripture is free from error of any kind —or as de ned in the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, “free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.” “The Inerrancy of Scripture Versus Infallibility: What’s the Difference?” Karen Engle July 13, 2021 https://www.logos.com/grow/inerrancy-of-scripture/#easy-footnote-bottom-6-116975. fi accessed 5 April 2023 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978) Article XII We af rm that Scripture in its entirety is inerrant, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit. fl fi fi fi We deny that Biblical infallibility and inerrancy are limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, exclusive of assertions in the elds of history and science. We further deny that scienti c hypotheses about earth history may properly be used to overturn the teaching of Scripture on creation and the ood. Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978) Article XIII We af rm the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture. fi We deny that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations. The original manuscripts were without error. Inerrancy: The original manuscripts were free from errors. Scripture’s reliability John 10:35 (ESV) If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken Who is the speaker in the verse above? Scripture’s Reliability fi Matthew 5:17–18 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to 18 abolish them but to ful ll them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Why should we listen to Jesus about scripture’s reliability? Matthew 17:5 (ESV) He [Peter] was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Why should we listen to Jesus about scripture’s reliability? Acts 3:22–23 (ESV) Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You 23 shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ Back to Jesus on Scripture’s Reliability fi Matthew 5:17–18 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to 18 abolish them but to ful ll them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. What is an iota? What difference does an iota make? Group Activity: Without consulting the internet, your phone, or a dictionary or thesaurus, take a piece of paper and write down as many pairs of real words where the only difference is the presence or absence of the letter i. Example: mad . . . maid fi Scoring based on 1) number of pairs, 2) bonus for pairs beginning with letters q, x, y, or z, 3) bonus for a theologically/morally signi cant word in the pair. What difference does an iota make? mad . . . maid ran . . . rain ad . . . aid pan . . . pain bat . . . bait bran . . . brain her . . . heir man . . . main star . . . stair *am . . . aim far . . . fair *trans . . . trains par . . . pair van . . . vain What difference does an iota make? clam . . . claim brad . . . braid span . . . Spain wave . . . waive plan . . . plain quant . . . quaint pants . . . paints tact . . . tacit Can a iota make signi cant logical, moral, ethical, or legal difference? I am a gun . . . I aim a gun. I am a trans activist. . . . I am a trains activist. fi I ate a bowl of bran for breakfast. I ate a bowl of brain for breakfast. What is a dot? κεραία, ας, ἡ lit. ‘horn’, then anything that projects like a horn, projection, hook as part of a letter, a serif William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 540. ‫ה ח‬ What difference does an dot make? It can change an entire letter, which can then change the entire word. Does God care about the dots? Luke 16:17 (ESV) But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore without error. We accept the Scriptures as being the nal authority in matters relating to the faith and life of Believers. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). 1. The NT and OT are the Word of God. 2. The Word of God is infallible. 3. The Holy Spirit inspired the original manuscripts. 4. The original manuscripts were without error. fi 5. The scriptures are our ultimate authority. What do we mean by inspired when we say The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit? • the Bible is a source of inspiration for daily living • the Holy Spirit is inspirational or encouraging • the Bible shows a uniquely creative impulse • something else? What do we mean by inspired when we say The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit? Check out other English translations to see what inspired probably means in this context. 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and pro table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, NASB95 All Scripture is inspired by God and pro table NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful NRSV All scripture is inspired by God and is useful KJV 1900 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is pro table πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, fi fi fi SBLGNT What do we mean by inspired when we say The original manuscripts were inspired by the Holy Spirit? Inspired literally means God-breathed. God exhaled or breathed out His word. God breathed-out some scripture audibly to the original audience. Exodus 20:1–2 (ESV) And God spoke all these words, saying, 2“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. fi fi Deuteronomy 5:22–24 (ESV) “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the re, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. . . . 24And you said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the re. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. God breathed-out most of scripture through the Holy Spirit initially to the human writers who then gave it to the intended audience. fi fi 2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV) And we have the prophetic word more fully con rmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing this rst of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. God breathed-out most of scripture through the Holy Spirit initially to the human writers who then gave it to the intended audience. 2 Samuel 23:2–3 (ESV) “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. 3The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me . . . Matthew 22:43–44 (ESV) He said to them, “How is it then that 44 David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “ ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiration? 2 Samuel 23:2–3 (ESV) “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. 3The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me . . . Matthew 22:43–44 (ESV) He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44“ ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? According to 2 Peter 1:21, the Holy Spirit “carried along” the human writers. fi fi 2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV)19And we have the prophetic word more fully con rmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing this rst of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. fi Acts 27:15–17 (ESV)And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were 16 driven along. Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with dif culty to secure the ship’s boat.17After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. How much choice do you get in high wind situations? Do you have real choices? Do your decisions determine the direction of the boat in high wind? 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Application: While the human writers made real choices in how they wrote as God breathed out His words, the Holy Spirit superintended and drove the inscripturation process to produce the infallible and inerrant word of God. The scriptures are our ultimate authority. Why do we say that? People disagree about everything and claim to be the authority or to have authority over us. • secularists pressure Christians • other religions pressure Christians • other Christian denominations pressure Christians • other Christians pressure Christians Scripture’s authority “The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture,” (Mat 22:29; Mat 22:31; Eph 2:20; Act 28:25). Westminster Confession of 1646 ,Chapter I. “Of the Holy Scripture,” paragraph X, Where does the authority reside? “The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture,” (Mat 22:29; Mat 22:31; Eph 2:20; Act 28:25). Westminster Confession of 1646 , Chapter I. “Of the Holy Scripture,” paragraph X, Where does the authority reside? the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture Acts 28:23–26 (ESV) When they had appointed a day for him [Paul], they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26“ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” Our acceptance of scripture’s authority determines much in the life to come. fi Matthew 5:17–19 (ESV)17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to ful ll them. 18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Since most of us don’t read Hebrew, or Aramaic, or Greek, how will we know what the Holy Spirit said in the original manuscripts? The translations to be used in the public ministry will be those which the elders deem to accurately render God’s Word into the English language. Suggested translations are the New King James Version (NKJV), the English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the New International Version (NIV). “If people are to have the Bible, they must have translations. It is translation that opens the window to let in light, that cracks the shell so we can eat the nut—that removes the curtain so we can look into the most holy place.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible “Indeed, unless the Bible is translated into the vernacular, uneducated people are like children at Jacob’s well without a bucket. They can see the cool, fresh water, but they cannot get it.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible “Even the worst English Bible translations available contain—no, they are—the word of God. When the king speaks, the speech he delivers is still his speech even after it gets translated into French, Dutch, and Italian—and even if certain translators are not as graceful as others.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible “If people are to have the Bible, they must have translations. It is translation that opens the window to let in light.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible “If people are to have the Bible, they must have translations. It is translation that opens the window to let in light.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible “If people are to have the Bible, they must have translations. It is translation that opens the window to let in light.” Updated Preface to the King James Version of the Bible Suggested translations are the New King James Version (NKJV), the English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the New International Version (NIV). Given enough time and changes to the English language, the elders will remove certain translations from the list and add new translations that are both accurate and clear (e.g., the Christian Standard Bible (CSB)). After we get a good translation, how do we know what the Holy Spirit intended to communicate in the scriptures? We believe the Scriptures are to be interpreted: a. Literally - in the natural, normal sense of the words. b. Historically - understanding the historical setting. c. Grammatically - understanding the order and meaning. d. Synthetically - no part of the bible contradicts any other. e. Practically - how does this apply to me? Interpreting a text against the natural, normal sense of the words (according to the genre), overlooking the historical setting, ignoring the order or syntax of the text, or violating the law of non-contradiction will result in our misunderstanding the Holy Spirit’s authorial intent. a. Literally - in the natural, normal sense of the words. b. Historically - understanding the historical setting. c. Grammatically - understanding the order and meaning. d. Synthetically - no part of the bible contradicts any other. e. Practically - how does this apply to me? What is authorial intent? “Authorial intent refers to an author’s intent as it is stored in their work in literary theory and aesthetics. It is the concept that an author’s intentions should govern how a book is correctly read.” “Authorial Intent and Validity in Interpretation: Notes on Hirsch’s Book” September 9, 2014 by Matthew Ward https://amindformadness.com/2014/09/on-validity-in-interpretation/. accessed 8 April 2023 What is authorial intent? the idea that content creators purposefully shape their communication to let you know what they want you to know How do we discover the author’s intent? We interpret their words a. Literally - in the natural, normal sense of the words. b. Historically - understanding the historical setting. c. Grammatically - understanding the order and meaning. d. Synthetically - no part of the bible contradicts any other. e. Practically - how does this apply to me? RBT conversation Of cer: “Sir, have you had anything to drink today?” Me: “No.” Of cer: “At my command, blow into the device until I tell you to stop.” We drive away. Child: “Dad, why did you tell him ’no’? Didn’t you have water and coffee this morning?” Me: “Yes. But when he asked if I ‘had anything to drink today,’ he was asking about alcoholic drinks, not water and coffee.” Child: “Oh. I thought you told him a lie.” fi fi Me: “Well, I did have grape juice during communion this morning, but I don’t think it had gone off yet.” Reformation Hymn (back cover) #334 Break Thou the Bread of Life #180 God’s Word Shall Stand Forever #184 The Bible Stands