See part 1,2,3 and 4 here: Part 4 Part 3 Part 2 Part 1
And now we are on to Chapter 2 (at long last!)
THE WORD OF GOD *Just what does that mean in the Bible?*
This doesnt seem like such a controversial topic, so here we go.
1. The Word of God is a person, Jesus Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; ....we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1
2. The Word of God is God's words/speech.
a. God's decrees, "God said, 'Let there be light'"
b. when God personally addresses someone in the Bible. (For example, God spoke directly to Adam/Eve, Moses, Jesus...)
A side thought here, God speaks in human language to people in the Bible. Isn't human language imperfect and thus God's words imperfect? On the contrary, God spoke in human language to make sure that we completely can understand what he wants to say!
The words always place an absolute obligation upon the hearers to believe them and to obey them fully.
c. when God speaks through a person (i.e. Biblical prophets)
"Behold, I have put my words in your mouth." Jeremiah 1:9
but watch out...
"But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die." Deuteronomy 18
d. When God's words are written down (the Bible).
Once again, God said to Jeremiah, "Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2
Grudem goes on to say, "God's words as spoken through human lips ceased to be given when the New Testament canon was completed."
So the main focus of the whole systematic theology book is the words in scripture themselves.
Application question:
Do you think you would pay more attention if God spoke to you from heaven or through the voice of a living prophet than if he spoke to you from teh written words of Scripture? Do you think your present level of response to the written words is an appropriate one?
And now we are on to Chapter 2 (at long last!)
THE WORD OF GOD *Just what does that mean in the Bible?*
This doesnt seem like such a controversial topic, so here we go.
1. The Word of God is a person, Jesus Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; ....we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1
2. The Word of God is God's words/speech.
a. God's decrees, "God said, 'Let there be light'"
b. when God personally addresses someone in the Bible. (For example, God spoke directly to Adam/Eve, Moses, Jesus...)
A side thought here, God speaks in human language to people in the Bible. Isn't human language imperfect and thus God's words imperfect? On the contrary, God spoke in human language to make sure that we completely can understand what he wants to say!
The words always place an absolute obligation upon the hearers to believe them and to obey them fully.
c. when God speaks through a person (i.e. Biblical prophets)
"Behold, I have put my words in your mouth." Jeremiah 1:9
but watch out...
"But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die." Deuteronomy 18
d. When God's words are written down (the Bible).
Once again, God said to Jeremiah, "Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2
Grudem goes on to say, "God's words as spoken through human lips ceased to be given when the New Testament canon was completed."
So the main focus of the whole systematic theology book is the words in scripture themselves.
Application question:
Do you think you would pay more attention if God spoke to you from heaven or through the voice of a living prophet than if he spoke to you from teh written words of Scripture? Do you think your present level of response to the written words is an appropriate one?
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