The Bible: The Character and Nature of Scripture
The Bible is not a "mere" book! There are some people who treat the Bible as some type of literature just like for example Shakespeare. When it comes to the Bible is that it is extraordinary when it come to that of the character and nature of scripture: that of its complete reliability of the prophecy of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19a). Also, when it comes to the nature of scripture is that it makes a person wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). The problem with many neo-orthodox theologians and postmodernist is that God speaks through the Bible, but, is not the very word of God. In so many words that in order for scripture to be complete is that there has to be such additional revelation so as to insure that of its completeness. Scripture is complete without any further revelation nor revelation of the spirit. Also, when it comes to that of postmodern theology is that most postmodernist within contemporary evangelicalism is that is no absolute truth. If in fact there is no standard of truth by which to judge truth and morality is that people are left to their own whim so as to perceive their own "personal" truths or valued propositional truth. When it comes to absolute truth in regards to the nature and character of scripture is that there is what is a "fixation" of truth based upon the authoritative Word of God (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Truth is truth; not untruth truth. Whenever truth comes from within a person's spirit as to their source of authority it is based upon what is "subjective" notion. The "influx" that goes in and out within the mystic's human spirit by which it is their basis of authority in regards to such "special" knowledge and experience is that of untruth by which to deny the objective truth of God's Word. Whenever the Church deny that of the authority and inspiration of scripture denies the true faith (1 Tim. 4:1). The character and the nature of the Bible in regards to the reliability and truthfulness of the written Word of God holds more weight than the subjectivity of the mystic's understanding of scripture. It is a worldview that is counterproductive of the authority and inspiration of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:20; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
Throughout the introductory of my book, "What Does the Bible Really Teach about Hearing God's Word?" that I will begin to address that of the character and nature of the truth of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). It is so important for the Church to understand clearly based upon God's Word in knowing the character and nature of scripture as it relates to knowing God's voice (Jn. 8:47; 18:37; 1 Jn. 4:6). Throughout contemporary evangelicalism that many of its churches and leaders has in fact truncated God's Word to fit within its own culture so as to make the Bible say what they want it to say without taking into account historical, biblical, and theological analysis. There are mane professing Christians who believe that it is not necessary to study history, doctrine, and theology simply because of the fact that it runs counter to the spirit and the Word. In so many words in order for people to get a "revelation" within a person's spirit or to hear God's still small voice is to allegorically and mystically interpret the Bible that is "beyond" the mere pages of scripture. Even though God speaks as the Church read that of the anthem of scripture in regards to its preaching and worship is that it is also the responsibility of God's people to study what God says in His Word.
It is a fallacy for the Church to think that they can expect something mystically to jump from the pages of the Bible, but, fail to study what God's Word says. The purpose of the interpreter of the Bible is to exegetically (i.e. "reading out") by interpreting what is already revealed in scripture, but, to read "into" God's Word by putting words in God's own mouth as to say what God did not say is to violate the "norms" of biblical interpretation (2 Cor. 2:13, 14). The best interpretation of the Bible is the Bible itself. Quite unfortunately that many within the Church today have not yet master the basics of "hermeneutics" or Bible interpretation as to its soundness of biblical interpretation and theology.
Whenever there is such "flawed" interpretation of the Bible is that it inadvertently impact people's understanding of the Bible along with other areas of doctrine and theology. They have a wrap sense of God, self, and the world around them. Everything is seen from the mystic's understanding and worldview of the Bible by which they interpret scripture through such allegory as it relates to the character and nature of scripture (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). Also, many professing Christians take the biblical concept of "hearing" God's voice as it relates to the doctrine of the Word of God to such mystical extremes so as to "hear" God's voice within a person's spirit. God's voice is His Word; not what is within a the mystic's own spirit as its basis of authority.
First, the word Bible means "biblos" by which it refers to the 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Also, when it comes to the doctrine of the Bible is the study of bibliology: that is the doctrine of the Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Throughout numerous passages of the Bible is that it affirms as the inerrant, infallible, full plenary inspiration of scripture. In order to determine whether the Bible is true is know Who is the Author of scripture. The character of God the Holy Spirit is that of Divine Truth (Jn. 14:26). The Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible is not going to teach what is contrary to the truth of scripture. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is divine Truth by which the Holy Spirit is our Teacher by which He teaches believers concerning God's Word. The Holy Spirit bring to our remembrance everything that is already revealed in scripture.
Also, to affirm that of Word of God is that there were 40+ human authors who were under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit by which they came from different religious, social, ethnic backgrounds. They were "holy" men of God who were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21). They were not stenographers nor did God "dictate" to them what to write, but, nevertheless they wrote what God intended for them to write so as to give the message to the church. The God of the Bible did not take away their own style and vocabulary, but, they were to express their feelings as did the apostle Paul according to Romans 10:1 where it says, "It is my heart's felt desire and prayer to God for Israel that they might be saved." In so many words the apostle Paul prayed for the salvation of the people of Israel to that they might be saved. The apostle Paul when he penned down that of this particular passage of the Bible (Rom. 10:1-2ff) that he was under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21). The Bible is not manufactured by men, but, that God inspired the Word of God. Those who claim that there writings, doctrine, and revelation was "inspired" by God is an invention of men by which they explicitly deny the true faith (1 Tim. 4:1).
Secondly, when it comes to the character of scripture is that the prophetic word are completely reliable in everything that is stated in the Bible. It is so important that the church pay attention to every word in scripture simply because of the fact one jot and every tittle of God's Word will not end until all have been fulfilled (Matt. 5:17). Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but that His word will endure forever. When it comes to God's Word everything is settled in heaven. As we as believers whenever we begin to pay close attention to every word in scripture is to take into account that it is the inspired Word of God. We must treat it as so simply because of the fact is that God the Holy Spirit is the Author of scripture. What distinguished God's Word from any other literature is that of its unique revelation that comes from God in the form of propositional truth by which it is the standard of faith (what we must believe) and practice (and how we must live). Any other writings that are outside the boundaries of God's Word so as to be on par with scripture is to be rejected. The writings, doctrine, and "revelations" of those who claim to have such "inspired" writings are doctrine taught by demons by which is it apostasy. There are many professing Christian teachers who have explicitly denied the true faith. The remedy for apostasy is God's divine judgment (Jude 8-10).
It is certain that the Church can trust in God's Word by which it is true, sure, reliable, and sufficient in all that its says. There is no other writings that can be compared to the inspired written Word of God. There are many skeptics who would question the genuineness and truthfulness of God's Word by questioning that of the Author of the Bible by which to that God speaks "through" the Bible, but, that it is not the very Word of God. The idea of God speaking "through" the Bible is an understatement by which many "Christian" mystics claim that scripture is incomplete without more additional "revelations" that would affirm that of the Bible's authority and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:20).
There is also an frontal attack upon the character of scripture by which many false religions, sects, and cults will contend that the Bible must fall under the scrutiny of their writings; not the cult's writings that must fall under the scrutiny of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1). The so-called sacred writings or codified text of many false religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, especially many of the established cults like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses will attack that of the Bible as to say that what they teach is very much "inspired" than the Bible in and of itself. The manufactured writings and theology of these cults are invented by men; not by God. Also, many New Age cults will contend that there are "missing" books from the Bible like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, especially the Aquarian Gospel, but, are innovated "gospels" by which it is "manufactured" by mere men. There are "legions" of gospels that are not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but, are another gospel. Those who claim to preach "another" gospel other than the gospel of Christ is to be "anathema" or curse by God as to His divine judgment (Gal. 1:8-9).
When it comes to the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word is that the church can be assured or have the full confidence that they can trust in the very words of what God's says. It is a joy to know that we as believers can trust in God's Word.
Thirdly, when it comes to the nature of scripture that of the prophetic Word is that it makes a person wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). Salvation in the sense that based upon Romans 10:9-10 where it says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. But in verse 10 it says, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." In order that a person can be saved is through acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. As as a result the saved person receive that of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. There are many professing believers who believe that in order to have a "personal" relationship with God is to be intimate, but, to have a conversation with God (Col. 2:18). Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not in the fleshly wisdom of those who claim to have a "mystical" union with Christ. Yet, these individuals do not know the Person of Jesus Christ so as to be saved (Heb. 6:10-11ff).
Also, when it comes to the nature of the prophetic Word as it refers to that of scripture is that according to 2 Timothy 3:16 where the apostle Paul says, "it is profitable for doctrine (teaching), rebuking, for correction and training in righteousness." This is the purpose of the nature of scripture: that it is useful for teaching, for rebuking, and for correction and training in righteousness. The Church derives it doctrine (teaching) based upon the clear teaching of scripture especially when it comes to the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. There are those within the professing Church today who claim that there teachings are via Revelation Knowledge, but, is that it goes contrary to what is the clear teaching of the Bible (1 Tim. 6:3-6). There is a need for the Church to be rebuked based upon what God's Word says. Even the apostle Paul rebuked that of Peter when he showed such hypocrisy. Also, the apostle Paul rebuked that of Hymenaeus and Philetus as they taught such false doctrine as to that of the appearance of Christ's resurrection. Therefore the apostle Paul spells out the nature of their false teaching by saying according to 2 Timothy 2:17: "There teaching will spread like a gangrene." The tragedy of false teaching is that it has in fact infected the Church through the infiltration of Gnosticism: that is through such intuitive, esoteric knowledge or "gnosis" as the basis of such knowledge by which it is not based upon true spiritual knowledge (Col. 1:9-10).
Therefore also when it comes to the nature of the prophetic Word known as the Holy Scripture is that it is a light within a believer's heart. According to 1 John 2:8 it says, "Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." The nature of the new command of God is truth that is seen within both Christ and the believer. They both speak truth by which they are of the truth. Believers who are truly saved by trusting in Christ for their salvation is that the Holy Spirit Who is our Divine Teacher illumine our minds and hearts (Jn. 14:26). True believers are no longer blind towards spiritual truth, but, is that the true light of the truth of God's Word is already shining within their minds and hearts. There are professing believers who are blind spiritually as to be dead in trespasses and sins by which they cannot comprehend spiritual truth so as to be ignorant of what is the truth of God's Word (Eph. 2:1; 2 Cor. 4:3-4).
In conclusion when it comes to the Bible is that the 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is completely inspired by God by which there is no need for any further revelation nor revelation of the spirit to complete the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). Personal prophecy, prophetic utterance, and "new" revelations are diametrically oppose to the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God. To add or to take away from the Word of God is for many professing believers to envision God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:18-19).
When it comes to the character and nature of the prophetic Word as it refers to the scripture or the Holy Scripture according to 2 Timothy 3:15, 16 is that it is sure, true, reliable, and trustworthy by which the Church can be assured is that is sufficient in all it says simply because of the fact that God (the Holy Spirit) is the Author of the Bible. It is very important for the church to know and understand that since God is the Author of scripture based upon His character (i.e. divine Truth) is that God's Word is sufficient in and of itself. The nature of the prophetic Word in regards to scripture is that it make a person wise unto salvation, that it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, and that the nature of the truth of God's Word shines within the minds and hearts of believers (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; 1 Jn. 2:8).
There are "voices" in the media especially within the professing Church today who deny that of God's Word: that of its "deconstructed" view of the Bible as a "mere" literature Book, Success Book, and neo-orthodoxy (i.e. "forms" of revelation) that is antithetical to the whole of the character and nature of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host, "Ask Darryl" @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" available @ Amazon.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
It is certain that the Church can trust in God's Word by which it is true, sure, reliable, and sufficient in all that its says. There is no other writings that can be compared to the inspired written Word of God. There are many skeptics who would question the genuineness and truthfulness of God's Word by questioning that of the Author of the Bible by which to that God speaks "through" the Bible, but, that it is not the very Word of God. The idea of God speaking "through" the Bible is an understatement by which many "Christian" mystics claim that scripture is incomplete without more additional "revelations" that would affirm that of the Bible's authority and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:20).
There is also an frontal attack upon the character of scripture by which many false religions, sects, and cults will contend that the Bible must fall under the scrutiny of their writings; not the cult's writings that must fall under the scrutiny of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1). The so-called sacred writings or codified text of many false religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, especially many of the established cults like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses will attack that of the Bible as to say that what they teach is very much "inspired" than the Bible in and of itself. The manufactured writings and theology of these cults are invented by men; not by God. Also, many New Age cults will contend that there are "missing" books from the Bible like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, especially the Aquarian Gospel, but, are innovated "gospels" by which it is "manufactured" by mere men. There are "legions" of gospels that are not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but, are another gospel. Those who claim to preach "another" gospel other than the gospel of Christ is to be "anathema" or curse by God as to His divine judgment (Gal. 1:8-9).
When it comes to the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word is that the church can be assured or have the full confidence that they can trust in the very words of what God's says. It is a joy to know that we as believers can trust in God's Word.
Thirdly, when it comes to the nature of scripture that of the prophetic Word is that it makes a person wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). Salvation in the sense that based upon Romans 10:9-10 where it says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. But in verse 10 it says, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." In order that a person can be saved is through acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. As as a result the saved person receive that of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. There are many professing believers who believe that in order to have a "personal" relationship with God is to be intimate, but, to have a conversation with God (Col. 2:18). Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not in the fleshly wisdom of those who claim to have a "mystical" union with Christ. Yet, these individuals do not know the Person of Jesus Christ so as to be saved (Heb. 6:10-11ff).
Also, when it comes to the nature of the prophetic Word as it refers to that of scripture is that according to 2 Timothy 3:16 where the apostle Paul says, "it is profitable for doctrine (teaching), rebuking, for correction and training in righteousness." This is the purpose of the nature of scripture: that it is useful for teaching, for rebuking, and for correction and training in righteousness. The Church derives it doctrine (teaching) based upon the clear teaching of scripture especially when it comes to the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. There are those within the professing Church today who claim that there teachings are via Revelation Knowledge, but, is that it goes contrary to what is the clear teaching of the Bible (1 Tim. 6:3-6). There is a need for the Church to be rebuked based upon what God's Word says. Even the apostle Paul rebuked that of Peter when he showed such hypocrisy. Also, the apostle Paul rebuked that of Hymenaeus and Philetus as they taught such false doctrine as to that of the appearance of Christ's resurrection. Therefore the apostle Paul spells out the nature of their false teaching by saying according to 2 Timothy 2:17: "There teaching will spread like a gangrene." The tragedy of false teaching is that it has in fact infected the Church through the infiltration of Gnosticism: that is through such intuitive, esoteric knowledge or "gnosis" as the basis of such knowledge by which it is not based upon true spiritual knowledge (Col. 1:9-10).
Therefore also when it comes to the nature of the prophetic Word known as the Holy Scripture is that it is a light within a believer's heart. According to 1 John 2:8 it says, "Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." The nature of the new command of God is truth that is seen within both Christ and the believer. They both speak truth by which they are of the truth. Believers who are truly saved by trusting in Christ for their salvation is that the Holy Spirit Who is our Divine Teacher illumine our minds and hearts (Jn. 14:26). True believers are no longer blind towards spiritual truth, but, is that the true light of the truth of God's Word is already shining within their minds and hearts. There are professing believers who are blind spiritually as to be dead in trespasses and sins by which they cannot comprehend spiritual truth so as to be ignorant of what is the truth of God's Word (Eph. 2:1; 2 Cor. 4:3-4).
In conclusion when it comes to the Bible is that the 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is completely inspired by God by which there is no need for any further revelation nor revelation of the spirit to complete the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). Personal prophecy, prophetic utterance, and "new" revelations are diametrically oppose to the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God. To add or to take away from the Word of God is for many professing believers to envision God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:18-19).
When it comes to the character and nature of the prophetic Word as it refers to the scripture or the Holy Scripture according to 2 Timothy 3:15, 16 is that it is sure, true, reliable, and trustworthy by which the Church can be assured is that is sufficient in all it says simply because of the fact that God (the Holy Spirit) is the Author of the Bible. It is very important for the church to know and understand that since God is the Author of scripture based upon His character (i.e. divine Truth) is that God's Word is sufficient in and of itself. The nature of the prophetic Word in regards to scripture is that it make a person wise unto salvation, that it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, and that the nature of the truth of God's Word shines within the minds and hearts of believers (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; 1 Jn. 2:8).
There are "voices" in the media especially within the professing Church today who deny that of God's Word: that of its "deconstructed" view of the Bible as a "mere" literature Book, Success Book, and neo-orthodoxy (i.e. "forms" of revelation) that is antithetical to the whole of the character and nature of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host, "Ask Darryl" @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" available @ Amazon.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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