The Divine Library (5)

In the previous chapter we focused on the outside book of nature or creation and of how great a book is this in the divine library. In this chapter we will focus on God's written special revelation that we call the Bible, which is rather a group of books. The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia (books) via Latin.

Our focus in the previous chapter was on the book of nature and creation and on the general revelation which it communicates, and which is a kind of book. In it God and his attributes may be read, along with his works and ways. We stated that this general revelation is a fascinating read! But, his written word gives a greater revelation and it is that book that we will now focus upon.

Bible Book

The "Baptist Faith and Message" says the following under article one dealing with the Holy Scriptures (emphasis mine):

"The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation."

The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith says the following about the Holy Scriptures:

"The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare (that) his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased."

“The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals,” said Charles C. Ryrie.

There are good solid reasons why the Bible ought to be read and studied and several evidences for its inspiration. Though some claim that there are contradictions in the Bible and therefore cannot be the words of God, this is not true, although there are seeming contradictions which exist because we are not correctly interpreting it. God the Holy Spirit must open a person's eyes to see and believe in the inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures. When I first began to read the Bible I recall exclaiming to myself -- "this could not have been written by mere men but must be the word of God." I said that because I was enabled by the Spirit of God to see its divine beauty, wisdom, and authorship. Notice this text that speaks of this kind of epiphany:

"Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." (Luke 24: 44-45 nkjv)

Paul referred to this experience, praying to God that others may have "the eyes of your understanding" opened and be "enlightened." (Eph. 1: 18 nkjv) The Psalmist David prayed: "Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law." (Psa. 119: 18 nkjv) In verses 34, 73, 125, 144, and 169 he asks God to "give me understanding" of his word.

It is therefore appropriate that Jews and Christians are called "people of the Book" in the Quran. All Protestants affirm that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice. It is the criterion to judge all theological controversies and all creeds and church councils. It is the highest authority for what the Christian is to believe and practice. 

Gideons International says this about the Bible:

“... supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, divine in authorship, infallible in authority, inexhaustible in meaning, universal in readership, unique in revelation, personal in application and powerful in effect.”

In an article titled "God’s Other Book" by Roger Patterson and Simon Turpin at "Answers in Genesis" web site (See here) we have these good words:

"God speaks through both nature and scripture, but they are not equal. From towering mountains and bustling anthills to the infinite expanse of galaxies and the infinitesimal world of bacteria, nature displays aspects of its Creator’s character. It’s exciting to see reminders of God everywhere we turn, but lately some Christian leaders have taken this a step further than God ever intended, even appealing to nature to “correct” our interpretation of the Bible."

"Throughout Christian history, some people have believed that God revealed himself to us through two books—nature and Scripture. This concept seems to be increasingly present in origins discussions among Christians who consider how science and faith intersect. Some have even referred to nature as the sixty-seventh book of the Bible. But what is behind this “two books” concept? If nature reveals God’s attributes to mankind, does that mean it is equal to God’s Word as an authoritative source of revelation? How should we read (interpret) these two books? Which “book” should take priority? It’s no small matter. If we misinterpret these two books, we run the risk of ultimately compromising the gospel—our need for the Savior because of our sinful nature."

They wrote further:

"This does not mean that we cannot learn anything from studying nature. It just means that our interpretation of what we observe must be consistent with the revelation of Scripture."

"It’s important to remember that God’s Word offers us direct statements of truth while nature does not speak. As an analogy, nature is like a picture book without words, requiring us to deduce the meaning. The Bible gives us the pictures with the words so we can directly understand the author’s intent and rightly interpret the pictures."

What David says about the scriptures in the 119th Psalm

"This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life." (vs. 50)

"Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts." (97-100)

"The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." (vs. 130)

The Bible is God's means to give men spiritual life and salvation, wisdom and knowledge, joy and peace, faith and correct theological beliefs, patience and perseverance, divine love, spiritual vision, comfort, strength, union and communion with God, assurance and confidence of salvation, hope, and the means to a happy and abundant life. It is by the Bible that we come to know God. These scriptures support these conclusions:

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15: 4 nkjv)

"and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Tim. 3: 15-17 nkjv)

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10: 17 nkjv)

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11: 6 nkjv)

"...whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 14: 23 kjv)

The Bible may be compared to many things. It is a survival kit, a lifeline, a road map, a textbook, a field manual, food and drink, milk, meat, bread, honey, a sword, fire, a hammer, a mirror, a rock or foundation, a lamp or light, rain or showers, water, seed, gold, treasure, etc.

God’s Supreme Revelation

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Heb. 1: 1-3 NKJV)

Just as God's written revelation is superior to his general revelation in nature and creation, so too is the new testament revelation superior to the old testament revelation. The same God is the author of the books of the old testament as well as the books of the new testament. The above text affirms this statement. In the old testament God spoke to people "by the prophets," but in the new testament he has "spoken to us by his Son." Because of this we have an enlarged revelation and the old testament revelation, though all true and full of wonderful bits of knowledge about God and the world, is but shadows as compared to the substance or body of truth that came through Christ and his apostles of the new testament. 

The apostle Peter intimates the same thing when he wrote:

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1: 16-21 nkjv)

In these words Peter says that he received direct revelation when he was on the holy mount of transfiguration with James and John and saw Christ in his magnificent glory, the way Christ will appear when he comes the second time. He heard the Father speak out of Heaven, from "the excellent glory," and saw Christ radiate the Shekinah glory, and saw Moses and Elijah appearing with Christ. Based on this eye and ear witnessing Peter says that he has a confirmed prophecy of the second coming of Christ, or as the KJV says, "a more sure word of prophecy." He further says that all previous prophecies and holy writings are the results of holy men being moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

So, in conclusion we say that the Bible, that collection of inspired books, is one of the greatest in the divine library. People neglect reading and studying it to their own detriment.