Doctrine of the Holy Scripture
Doctrine of
the Holy Scripture
Introduction:
The doctrine of ‘The Holy
Scripture’ is one of the most essential doctrines for every Believer as every
other system of Beliefs and Values is found, studied, experienced and confirmed
as valid, worthy and authoritative, only through God’s Word. Because a Believer
in Almighty Sovereign God and Creator of the entire universe affirms that,
“The Solution for everything in the
World lies with the Source of everything in the world. “
Many
Renowned personalities/ Leaders of the nations admired the Word of God; a few
of the statements are as follows,
“Within
the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” ― Ronald
Reagan
“But
for this book we could not know right from wrong.” ― Abraham
Lincoln
“You
Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all
civilization to pieces turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn
planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of
literature.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
There are more sure marks of authenticity in
the Bible than in any profane history." ― Sir
Isaac Newton
"It
is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the
Bible." ―George Washington
The Bible is actually a collection
of various books and can be called as ‘Book of Books’. The titles or
representations of the Bible that are commonly used are as follows.
Word (of God) (Mark 7:13), Commandment
(s) (Deut 8:1), law (s) (Hebrews 8:10), Scripture (s) (Mark
12:10, 2 Timothy 3:15), etc.
The Word of God is compared with
other things as Simile/Metaphor as,
‘His word is like Fire and Like a
Hammer’ (Jer 23:29), ‘The Word of God is the sword of the spirit’ (Eph 6:17),
etc.
The Bible speaks with all mankind
with equal power regardless of all the differences and knowledge. It applies to
rich and poor, literate and illiterate, prince and pauper, child and adult,
etc. The bible not only gives the blessings but the condition to receive it and
also it not only gives the consequences of sin but the way to be relieved from
it. It doesn’t contain just the positive nature of mankind but records all the
negatives of mankind from Abraham to David to Peter. The Bible communicates the
Words and nature of living God to His creation. Throughout history, there is no
other book on the face of Earth that has as much power to transform an
individual as that of the Bible.
The Bible consists of 66 books
divided into 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament.
It consists of history, poetry, prophecy, teachings, etc. with a beautiful
literary style and different patterns. The Bible was written for about 1600
years by about 40 authors. Though many authors are not connected with each
other and they are all from very different backgrounds, there is no conflict in
the writings.
1.0. Etymology and Synonyms:
The English word Bible, which is
commonly used to refer the Scripture that is in our hand is derived from Koinē
Greek: τὰ βιβλία, romanized: ta biblia, meaning "the books" (singular
βιβλίον, biblion). The word βιβλίον itself had the literal meaning of
"scroll" and came to be used as the ordinary word for
"book".
Some of terms that are used in the
Old testament to refer to the scripture as a whole or part in English and
Hebrew are: Word (dabar- דבר) (2 Chro 30:5), laws (Torah- תורתך)(Psalms 119:34),
testimonies (Edah/Edoth- עדת/ עדות )
(Psalms 119:2, 111), precepts (piqudim- פקודיך) (Psalms
119:168), statutes (khoq/khoqah- חקיך/ חקיך׃ (Psalms
119: 5, 12), commandments (mitswah- מצותיך) (Psalms 119:32),
and judgments (mishpat- משׁפט) (Psalms 119:7).
The Word “Scripture” is frequently
used in the New Testament to denote the Old Testament documents in whole or in
part. The word graphe (γραφή) (Matthew 21:42)is used in Greek for scripture. Similar
words that are used for scripture are Word (logos- λόγος) (2 Chro 30:5), laws (nomos- νόμος) (Heb 8:10), ordinances (dikaioma-
διατάγμας) (Luke
1:6), commandments (entoles- εντολές) (Luke 1:6), and gospel/ good news
(Evangelio- Ευαγγέλιο) (Matt 4:23).
2.0. Divine Inspiration:
The Greek form of ‘Inspiration’
consists of two Greek words Theo’s=God; and Pnein= to breathe. Though the books
of the Bible are inspired, God never interrupted the Man’s will/freedom and he
allowed him to write in his language and style. The divine inspiration makes it
durable, universally disseminated, fixed, pure, etc. It gives finality that
other forms of communication cannot attain, though it was written by different
authors at different periods in different situations. Jesus, the apostles and
the early church fathers confirmed the authority of the scripture and used it
frequently. Inspiration doesn’t mean Dictation or Accommodation; it’s just
Supervision to control the errant man from inerrancy. The authors of the bible
weren’t so pure and genius but most of them repented and submitted themselves
to God immediately, most of the times when they sinned. They feared God,
honored Him and just admitted their infidelity by submitting themselves as
instruments to proclaim the truths of God.
The LORD made a decree and a law
for Israel people (Exodus 15:25).
Peter affirms, “No prophecy of
Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For Prophecy never
had its origin in the will of Man, but men spoke from God as they were carried
along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20, 21)
Paul writes, “All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in
righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good
work.” (2Timothy 3:16,17)
The LORD says to Moses, “Come up to
the Mountain so that he could give the Law and commands that he wrote for the
Israel people’s instruction.” (Exodus 24:12)
2.1. Inerrancy:
The
academic discipline of "textual criticism" assures us that the Bible
translations we have today are essentially the same as the ancient Bible
manuscripts, with the exception of a few inconsequential discrepancies that
have been introduced over time through copyist error. We must remember that the
Bible was hand-copied for hundreds of years before the invention of the first
printing press. Nevertheless, the text is exceedingly well preserved. Of the
approximately 20,000 lines that make up the entire New Testament, only 40 lines
are in question. These 40 lines represent one-quarter of one percent of the
entire text and do not in any way affect the teaching and doctrine of the New
Testament.
Comparing
this with Homer's Iliad, the Second most preserved ancient Script
of the approximately 15,600 lines that make up Homer's classic, 764 lines are
in question. These 764 lines represent over 5% of the entire text, and yet
nobody seems to question the general integrity of that ancient work. Westcott
and Hort, in the 1870s, state that the New Testament text remains over 98.3 % pure no matter whether one uses the Textus
Receptus or their own Greek text which was largely based on Codex
Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus.
David says “The Word of the Lord
is flawless.” (2Samuel 22:31, Psalms 12:6)
Agur says, “Every Word of God
proves true.” (Proverbs 30:5)
Peter says, “We have the
prophetic Word more fully confirmed.” (2 Peter 1:19)
2.2.True and Unchanging:
Hermeneutics is the science of
interpreting the Scripture. The Bible is infallible if interpreted correctly.
Hence the way we interpret the scripture matters. The Scripture should be
interpreted literally by scripture itself, by the help of the Spirit of God, by
context, by meaning and by the Author’s intention. It is true and unchanging in
its nature though today’s people differ in thoughts due to misinterpretation.
The Lord says, “God’s Word will
accomplish what he desire and achieve the purpose for which he sent it.” (Isaiah
55:11)
John says, “God’s Word is
Truth.” (John 17:17)
The Psalmist writes, “The Sum of
Lord’s word is Truth.” (Psalms 119:160)
Agur says “Do not add anything
to the Words of God or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6)
John writes, “If anyone takes
words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in
the tree of life and in the holy city which are described in this book.” (Revelation
22:19)
2.2.1.
Translation Vs Interpretation
There
was a common misunderstanding about Bible interpretations and Bible
translations. The Bible has been translated mostly from its original languages,
but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way. Today's
Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations -
they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences
between today’s Bible translations are they are merely related to how
translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew,
Aramaic and Greek). This is no different than any other book we read in English
that was translated from a different source language. The problem could be
always overcome by referring to more than one translation for interpretation
where there is a need for Clarity.
2.3.
Eternity of the Word of God:
God’s Word is never Changing and it
is eternal as God is Eternal. Still, there is a thin line difference in
thoughts of considering the Bible in its Eternity. The Bible as an inspired
‘Word of God’ is without error and pure in its originality. But the Copies or
Translations may always have copyist errors or errors of inappropriate words as
they had been handwritten till the first printed bible that was published by
Guttenberg in 1451 and the translators differ in their thoughts and dialects.
For there is a saying that’s practical and real “To err is human”. Biblically
and Practically God is unchanging and Man is always changing.
John starts his book by, “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (John
1:1)
The Psalmist says, “All your
righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalms 119:160)
Jesus says, “Heaven and earth
will pass away but my words will never pass away.” (Matt 24:35)
Simon said to Jesus, “You have
the Words of Eternal life.” (John 6:68)
2.4. Prophecy and Fulfillment of the
Word of God:
The fulfilment of the prophecy is
one of the criteria to determine the authority of God’s Spokesmen and God’s
Word in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament times. The Prophecy is something
that involves not only foretelling but also Forth telling. So, the practicality
of the prophecy or the Spoken Word is also important in trusting the Words as
really inspired by God.
Jesus refers to the previously
written prophecy to those who looked for a way to arrest Him (Mark 12:
10-12) and His hearers (Luke 4:21)
Jesus prophecies to Peter “Truly,
I tell you with certainty, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me
three times.". (John 13:38)
The prophecy of the division of
Jesus’s garments among the soldiers by casting lots was fulfilled. (John
19:24)
Jesus said ‘I am thirsty’ at
the last stage of his life for fulfilling the Scriptures. (John 19:28)
The Soldiers pierced Jesus’ side
with a spear bringing a sudden flow of blood and water so that the scripture of
“Not one of his bones will be broken and they will look on the one they have
pierced” is fulfilled. (John 19:36, 37)
Jesus prays that none has been
lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
(John 17:12)
Peter portrays the fulfillment of
Scripture Spoken by David through Holy Spirit concerning Judas. (Acts 1:16)
Paul quotes God’s word to Pharaoh "For
this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and
that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (Romans 9:17)
After Jesus rose from the dead, The
Disciples recalled what Jesus had said and believed the Scripture and the words
Jesus had spoken. (John 2:22)
2.5. Confirmation for the Word of God:
One of the convincing things for
the trustworthiness of the scriptures is that it is confirmed again and again
by different people through restatements and quotes. Jesus Himself quoted many
portions of the Old Testament. And the Apostles also quoted many things from
the previous scriptures. Also, the Bible in its whole purpose never contradicts
each other.
Joshua inscribed the Law of Moses
on stones. (Joshua 8:32)
God Speaks about the Law of Moses
to Joshua many times. The Law of Moses is also mentioned by many authors in
many verses in Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, and many other books of the Bible.
3.
Canonization:
The Greek
Word ‘Kanon’ means rule or standard of measurement. External factors such as
apostolic authorship, Author’s background, Period of writing, supporting texts
for reliability, historical evidence, Proclamation of God’s attributes etc. are
considered in the process of canonization. The apocryphal books in the Old
Testament used by many people even today might be genuine but didn’t pass the
reliability test that is used for the process of canonization. So there is no
wrong in considering the Extra-Biblical books, but it should not make us
deviate from God without the truth being analyzed. About 400 BC, the Law and
the other Jewish Scriptures were arranged by councils of rabbis (Jewish
teachers), then it was gradually recognized that those were the inspired and
sacred authority of God (Elohim). Also,
many of the Old Testament books we use today are being confirmed and taught by
Jesus and the Apostles. The New Testament books are canonized mainly with the
apostolic authority, Usage and acceptance by the Church, period of writing and
conformity of faith. It took almost 400 years after the books were written. It
was written in the first century, exchanged between churches in the second
century, collected in the third century and the Elders of the churches came
together in the fourth century to make the Bible canon of 27 books of the New
Testament.
3.1.
Apocrypha
An
Apocrypha is a written work that contains certain disagreements about biblical
canonicity. Apocryphal writings are a class of documents that are not
recognized to be properly called Scripture. Apocryphal books are Tobit, Judith,
Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Jesus ben Sira (Sirach), Baruch, Epistle of Jeremy
(in the Vulgate this is chapter 6 of Baruch), additions to Daniel (The Prayer
of Azarias, Susanna and Bel and the Dragon), additions to Esther, 1 Maccabees,
2 Maccabees, 3 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, etc. Apocrypha is well attested in
surviving manuscripts of the Christian Bible. (for example, Codex Vaticanus,
Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, Vulgate, and Peshitta.) After the
Lutheran and Catholic canons were defined by Luther (c. 1534) and Trent (8 April
1546) respectively, early Protestant editions of the Bible (notably the Luther
Bible in German and the 1611 King James Version in English) seem not to omit
these books but placed them in a separate Apocrypha section apart from the Old
and New Testaments to indicate their status.
Though,
as with other ancient writings, the Apocrypha may sometimes be referenced for
support.
4.0. Speaking the Word of God:
In
1380 A.D., The Pope was so infuriated by John Wycliffe’s teachings and his
translation of the Bible into English, After 44 years of Wycliffe’s death, he
ordered the bones to be dug up, crushed, and scattered into the river. One of
Wycliffe’s followers, John Hus, actively promoted Wycliffe’s ideas: that people
should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language and they should
oppose the tyranny of the Roman church that threatened anyone possessing a
non-Latin Bible with execution. Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, with
Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling for the fire. The last words of
John Hus were that “in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for
reform cannot be suppressed.” Almost exactly 100 years later, in 1517, Martin
Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses of Contention (a list of 95 issues of
heretical theology and crimes of the Roman Catholic Church) into the church
door at Wittenberg. The prophecy of Hus had come true! Martin Luther went on to
be the first person to translate and publish the Bible in the commonly-spoken
dialect of the German people; a translation more appealing than previous German
Biblical translations.
In
the 1490’s another Oxford professor, and the personal physician to King Henry
the 7th and 8th, Thomas Linacre, decided to learn Greek. After reading the
Gospels in Greek, and comparing it to the Latin Vulgate, he wrote in his diary,
“Either this (the original Greek) is not the Gospel… or we are not Christians.”
Latin had become so corrupt that it no longer even preserved the message of the
Gospel, yet the Church still threatened to kill anyone who read the scripture
in any language other than Latin, though Latin was not an original language of
the scriptures. John Bunyan (author of Pilgrim’s Progress) and many other noble
saints suffered a lot from the Roman Catholic Church for following the
Protestant Bible.
A workman should handle the Word of
God rightly so that he will be approved by God. (2 Tim 2:24, 25)
Moses expounded the law to the
people. (Deut 1:5)
When all Israel comes to appear
before the LORD God at the place that he chooses, the law shall be read before
them in their hearing, so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD our God
and follow carefully all the words of this law. The children who do not know
the law may hear it and learn the fear of the LORD. (Deut 31:11-13)
The Eunuch read the Passage of
Scripture but couldn’t understand properly and Philip began with the very
passage of Scripture to tell him about the good news about Jesus Christ. (Acts
8:32-35)
Paul affirms, “For we are not,
like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned
by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” (2 Corin 2:17)
Paul writes “But have renounced
the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the
word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves
to every man's conscience in the sight of God”. (2 Corin 4:2)
Paul confirms, “We impart this
in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting
spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Corin 2:13)
Paul says to Timothy “Devote
yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Tim
4:13)
5.0. Practicality of the Word of God:
The Word of God exists not only for
us to admire it psychologically or go through it whenever we need to know God’s
purpose in a particular area of life but also to apply it in each and every
area of our lives to enjoy a joyful, peaceful, balanced and content life. The
Characters that are displayed in the bible do not give us only the positive
nature of mankind but every aspect of his life which will help us to avoid the
mistakes they had made, make corrections for our mistakes and Realize God’s
forgiving grace for our mistakes. Though God forgives, the Consequences of the
Sins have to be faced and the Word of God never hides it. The Word of God says
about itself that it has life, power, highest priority/importance, authority,
and Edifying power; when we adore it and obey it. It is not effective most of
the time when we do not uphold it and obey it.
5.1.
Life from the Word of God:
Jesus says by comparing with the
parable of Sower and Seeds that the Word of God is productive only when a
person hears, accepts and is fruitful to others. (Mark 4:3-20)
John says, “The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)
Jesus affirms, “Man doesn’t live
on bread alone, but on every word that come from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4”
5.2.
Power of the Word of God:
Jesus says that if we remain in him
and his words remain in us, we shall ask whatever we wish and it will be given
to us (John 15:7). We shall remain in Jesus by studying, understanding
and obeying the word of God. When King Josiah heard the words of the
Book of the Law, he tore his robes, feared God and acted for himself and the
people of Judah. (2Kings
22:11,13)
The author of Hebrew writes,
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12”
6.0. Importance to the Word of God:
King Solomon writes that if you accept
the Words of Wisdom and store up the commands within you, then you will
understand the Fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs
2:1-5). People were aware of the Old Testament prophecies that Christ would
come from David’s family (John 7:42). David praises the Word of God (Psalms
56:4). Paul quotes the Old Testament saying that Abraham believed God and it
was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3), James too quotes the same
(James 2:23). The Apostles gave the foremost priority to Prayer and the
Ministry of Word (Acts 6:1-7). Paul quotes the Scripture that anyone who trusts
in Christ will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11) and he also quotes the
Scripture that God did not reject His people whom He foreknew (Romans 11:2). He
also says that Scripture foresaw God justifying the Gentiles by faith and
announced the gospel in advance to Abraham that all nations will be blessed
through him (Galatians 3:8). Paul affirms that Scripture declares the whole
world as a prisoner of sin so that what was promised and being given through
faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe (Galatians 3:22). He
also affirms that Commandment is Holy, righteous and good, It was made that sin
might be recognized as sin (Romans 7:8-13).
James writes that Scripture says with a reason that the spirit he caused
to live in us envies intensively, Also James quotes the Scripture that God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:5, 6). God told Joshua
to be careful to obey all the laws Moses gave and told him that the Book of Law
shouldn’t depart from his mouth. (Joshua 1:7-8).
One of the important instructions
given to the King is, "And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom,
he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the
Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the
days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the
words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be
lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the
commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue
long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel” (Deut 17:18-20)
Moses records, "You shall
therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you
shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
your eyes. You shall teach them to your
children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are
walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write
them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the
days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your
fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.” (Deut
11:18-21)
Paul writes to Philippians, “Holding
fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I
did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philip 2:16)
Paul writes to Colossians, “Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in
all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in
your hearts to God.” (Col 3:16)
The psalmist says, “How sweet
are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103)
The psalmist also says, “The
Unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalms
119:130)
Jeremiah writes, “Your words
were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight
of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” (Jer 15:16)
Jesus says, “Whoever believes in
me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living
water.'" John 7:38, He also says, “Scripture cannot be broken.” (John
10:35)
Paul quotes the Scripture to
Timothy, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the
grain," and "The laborer deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18)
Paul says, “All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in
righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good
work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
James says, “If you really keep
the royal law found in Scripture Love your neighbor as yourself, you are done
right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as
lawbreakers.” (James 2:8,9)
Peter quotes the Scripture, “See
I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who
trusts in Him will never be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:6)
6.1. Edification through the Word of God:
A young man keeps his way pure by
living according to God’s Word. (Psalms 119:9)
The psalmist says, “I have
stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms
119:11)
The Psalmist says, “Your word is
a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
(Psalms 119:105)
6.2. Obeying the Word of God (Commandments)
A man who hears the Words of Jesus
and puts them into practice is like a man who built a house with a strong
foundation on rock (Matt 7:24).
Moses says, "The whole
commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may
live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give
to your fathers.” (Deut 8:1)
James writes, “Do not merely
listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Joshua summons the people, “Be
careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD
gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey His
commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your
soul.” (Joshua 22:5)
Moses writes, “And it will be
righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the
LORD our God, as He has commanded us.” (Deut 6:25)
6.3. Ineffectiveness & Perils of not
following the Word of God:
The Pharisees follow the Word of God as a tradition and
their hearts are far away. Thereby Jesus said that they nullify the Word of God
for the sake of their tradition (Matthew 15:6). The Disciples didn’t
understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead, though Jesus taught it already
(John 20:9) and they were insensitive to Jesus’ teachings about it. Moses said
that If Israel people do not carefully follow all the words of laws, which are
written in the book, and do not revere his glorious and awesome name- the LORD
our God. The Lord will send fearful plagues on them and their descendants,
harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illness. (Deut 28,
29ch)
Moses states, “Cursed is the man who does not uphold the
words of this law by carrying them out. (Deut 27:26)
Whoever does not obey the law of God and law of the King
must be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property or
imprisonment. (Ezra 7:26)
7.0. Misconceptions of the Holy
Scriptures:
The misconception of the ‘Holy
Scriptures’ could lead us astray in the faith or keep us always confused, even
after receiving many teachings and learnings. Even some individuals or groups
alter some portions of the scripture as per their ideologies and make false
claims about themselves and others, which is very dangerous. Some of the common
misconceptions of the holy scriptures are:
·
The Bible is personal towards self and everyone, so every
verse, passage, or book has a personal application that could be readily taken.
·
Everything in the Bible is literal and should be approached
directly without interpretation and comprehension.
·
The Bible has contradictions and mistakes, so part of the
scripture is not the word of God.
·
The books or the content of the Bible is insufficient to
know God as well as mankind, and the Bible is outdated.
·
There are hidden meanings or experiences in the Bible that
can be known by specific people and others cannot know it.
·
The New Testament is sufficient for a believer and only
some specific versions (Example: KJV) of the Bible are correct and others are
not valid.
·
The Old Testament promotes certain unethical and immoral
actions and attitudes.
Conclusion:
The doctrine of the Holy Scripture is one of the
foundational Doctrines of the Universal Christian Faith. It helps a person to
understand the real nature of the ‘Almighty God’. It Correlates with all the
aspects of human life and helps a person to lead a purposeful life with joy and
peace. There are many criticisms of the Word of God by many people outside the
Christian faith and even within the Christian faith because of the deviations
due to cultural, linguistic, social, economic, knowledge, and educational
differences that exist between people. Many times, the questions and criticisms
are out of pride and finite thinking of human beings, they fail to accept the
existence of someone above them just to live a life without boundaries but it
is not possible as a point reaches when every person who wants to live an independent
life feels a need of control and value to his life. Everybody has questions; it
does not change the facts of God and the Word of God; we are responsible for
our answers by analyzing everything with the laws of logic and experience of
emotions that God invested within everyone, in reference to the greatest
treasure that is ‘Word of God’. The Bible itself says ‘Seek and you shall
find.’
"Beautiful, Best and Believable Book for me forever is
'BIBLE'. I Believe it's a Big and Bountiful manual for me from Majesty as a
manual for the machine from the Manufacturer. It's because Man's Mind always
Muddle and Fiddles but the BIBLE always manifests all Folding."
References:
1.
When Critics Ask “By Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe
2.
“Old Testament Made Easy” by Rev Dr. J. Godwin Nickelson;
3.
“The Bible Study Handbook” by Lindsay Olesberg;
4.
Let the Bible Speak by Shirley Christopher, Prema Fenn,
Vijaya Pramar
5.
http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/biblical-archaeology.htm
6.
https://bible.org/series/history-english-bible
7.
http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/
8.
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/bibleorigin.html
9.
http://www.bsind.org/tamil_bible_translations.html
10.
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/quotes-about-the-bible-25-awesome-sayings/
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