Back in 1972 when I became a Christian, I didn’t think too much about the importance of translations. At least not in the sense of whether they were accurate or not. I was just hungry for the Word and would read whatever was available.
It’s really kind of humorous to consider the Bible translation journey I have taken over the years.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17,18)
Here we have an amazing promise of God’s miraculous power.
This has to do with the word of God. Specifically, it has to do with God’s concern that His word would always remain available to all of His people in all generations.
The Bible is filled with promises God has made to His people that He would preserve His word.
The question is whether we believe Him or not?
“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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16)
The word “inspiration” literally means “God-breathed”. That term applies specifically and only to the original words that God “breathed out” through the mouths and hands of men. These original, written words were perfect. They were without error. They were written exactly as God intended them to be. And to believed at face value, in context.
Note that this means words were inspired, not the men. Men were “moved by the Spirit of God” to speak or to write. But men were not “inspired”. Men were not “breathed out” by God. This is a critical distinction. Because, all that we believe comes back to the written Word of God. To every, specific word. And to the specific promises that God gave us regarding His words.
Continue reading “The Miracles of Inspiration and Preservation”
Our church has just finished a 3-part series on the Old Testament book of Jonah. And I just taught an adult Sunday school class on the last part of the book. Surprisingly, for such a short book, there is a lot of stuff you can get into.
While reading the biblical account of Jonah and studying other commentaries about it, I was struck by a very basic truth. That Jonah was an historical account to be believed by all Christians. It isn’t an allegory or parable or fairy tale.
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.“ (Psalm 138: 2)
This verse is not merely a general statement about reverence toward God’s words. It is a clear declaration of authority. God, Himself, has established this absolute priority.
Allow this to sink in. God places His words above His name!
Eternal Approach 
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