Recently during a discussion about class curriculum my position on scripture and why I preferred it over various books as a platform for Sunday School study was in all honestly a bit dogmatic. I was asked …why scripture? ….Consider this…To most Christians their conviction is that Scripture is the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine. Keeping the definition simple scripture is the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Christian Bible. There are many different faiths and religions in this world that contain sacred scripture, or the revered texts, of the world’s religions. Scriptures comprise a large part of the literature of the world. (Britannica) The point here is we are discussing scripture contained in the Christian Bible. First, we need to clarify some terms that are common when discussing Biblical Scripture. The word “canon” comes from the rule of law that was used to determine if a book measured up to a certain standard regarded by the Christian or Jewish community as part of the Bible. Consider this…Christianity as we know it did not start out defining God, Jesus Christ, or salvation. As I researched for this blog and tried to process all the information that was available to me, it became apparent to me that one truth stood out. Our Christian precepts of who God is, of Jesus Christ or even our salvation, can be found only in the authority of Scripture. Now that is humdinger of a statement for me, a layman to make. I write that because there is a whole world of theological truth to be understood. The truth is If we cannot identify what Scripture is, we will be hard pressed to properly distinguish any theological truth from error.  

Some other points of interest can be made just by human logic. Jude had something to say that we can take to heart… Our faith is being defined by scripture that has been given by and through God to the Saints and it is given to the benefit of all Christians. 2nd Timothy 3:16,17 confirms that. There are other things implied as well. God’s word gives us strength to function in this world, through the word we have freedom. The word of God creates and sustains life and gives us hope. There is of course the importance of hearing and reading the word, because through the word we come to receive The Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised us we would. The clear fact is that Scripture awakens and strengthens our Faith. This brings me to my final point. The repository we have been given is the Christian Bible, God’s Word, which helps us to Discern God’s character and provides us God’s revelation of himself to his people. 

What is the importance of the Bible? There are as many answers for that question as there are stars. Well, maybe I overstate that a bit. Point being the importance of the Bible is impossible to overstate. Importance is best revealed by what the Bible tells us about itself, that is all that matters. I may be repeating myself, but at my age repetition is good for retention.  The Bible is: 

-the inspired word of God

-reveals His sovereignty and power

-character and nature

-wisdom and guidance for making our way through life

-God’s word is eternal…. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 

I enjoy reading God’s word, studying and seeking its meaning in my life and putting it to use. There is joy in the word. I Pray that you too can find that joy and I feel blessed that I can share my joy with you.

Philippians 4:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Life is Good

jk