Hesed Unlimited

God's Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 A common problem we all suffer from is the error of mistaking the instrument for the source. Let me share a brief illustration: Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. Numbers 21:6-9 He [King Hezekiah] removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.) 2 Kings 18:4 During the time of Moses, God sent poisonous snakes among the Israelites after they spoke against Him. As instructed, Moses made a bronze snake and hung it on a pole, so that anyone who looked at it would be healed of any lethal bite. This, obviously, is foreshadowing Christ on the cross. Curiously, we find later on that the Israelites had made this instrument of God's mercy into an object of worship. Instead of glorifying God, the source of their healing, they had begun to glorify the bronze snake, an insignificant instrument. This is what I mean by mistaking the instrument for the source. And just like the Israelites in this example, I believe that Christians today have fallen into the same error on a wide scale. Admittedly, this is difficult to avoid. Our view of God, for most of us, is highly obscured at this time. We don't see Him, hear Him or feel Him. Some of us might have occasional experiences where He manifests Himself in a tangible way, but this is generally not a regular occurrence. So, when there is no perceptible experience of God, it is difficult to deny our human need for some kind of sensory confirmation. It is very easy to give into the desire for a physical substitute- something we can see and feel, to use as a substitute (at least partially). And that is why, I believe, we have taken the Scriptures, instruments of God's revelation, and raised them to the same level as their source. We call the Bible "the Word of God", and ascribe divine attributes to it. This is not good. As we do this, we take our eyes of God, the Source of all revelation, and focus on the object, a mere instrument. And so our view of God becomes that much smaller. My purpose in this article is to examine the nature of God's Word- the Source of all things, and compare it with the Scriptures, which are merely instruments. My desire is that we would return the Bible to its proper position, and seek the Source with greater diligence. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 1:1-4 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6 According to these passages, God's Word is responsible for all creation. This is a pretty lofty idea, because it implies that God's Word transcends everything in creation. It cannot be contained by any created thing, and nothing in creation can affect it. It contains everything and it affects everything. ASPECTS OF GOD'S WORD God's Word Comes from His Spirit In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 We know that everything was created by God's Word. Here in Genesis, we find the source of His Word- His Spirit. Now the Word that the Spirit speaks is not like the words we use. Our words go into the ear and suggest ideas. The Word of the Spirit goes into creation itself and brings about transformation. The utterance of God's Spirit transcends all languages: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 So, God's Word is the expression of His Spirit, affecting everything in creation with a language that transcends all languages. And yet, just as each human language is based on certain patterns, the Language of the Spirit is also based on a pattern. God's Word is Based on His "Torah" The word "torah" commonly refers to God's law, often the Decalogue or Pentateuch. I would like to use the term in a broader sense. The Torah of God is actually the divine pattern that underlies all of creation. We can see this incredibly complex and beautiful pattern in everything around us. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:3-9 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5 How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts! Psalm 92:5 God loves variety! And it is from His Torah that all this variety comes. All that God does is accomplished by His Word. And His Word is in accord with His great, big, beautiful design- the awesome pattern of His Torah. We read in another passage from the book of Psalms: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law [torah]. Psalm 119:18 This is the way I prefer to use this word. There are many wonderful things hidden throughout God's Torah, and as we read in Proverbs: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 I believe we've seen only a very small part of what God's Word will accomplish: However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- 1 Corinthians 2:9 And, we read Paul's reaction to his vision of our heavenly inheritance: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell... To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, 7 In this passage, Paul tells us about his glimpse of the "third heaven". The effect of this awesome vision of the glory of God's incomprehensible Torah, revealed in heavenly creation, was so great that Paul was assigned a tormentor to keep him from exalting himself. It may be impossible to appreciate the full magnitude of the complex and wondrous design that is God's Torah- the basis for His Word. The pattern of God's Torah can be seen throughout all of creation. And as we examine this complex cosmos in greater detail, we find still more patterns. A recent discovery involves a number series called the "Mandelbrot's Set". Until computer technology provided a way to display this number series visually, it was just an interesting result of a very simple equation: (z)=z2+c However, when a program extrapolates this equation and graphs the results, a seemingly infinite series of patterns emerges. Here is just one example: (click image to show animation) This is just one of multitudes of patterns that were spoken into creation by God's Word, in harmony with His incredible Torah! God's Word speaks to our spirits, not our minds. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 When I listen to someone speak, their words convey ideas that affect my mind. When the Spirit speaks to me, however, I am directly affected in my SPIRIT. This is very important to understand. Many people have read the scriptures without experiencing any change in their way of thinking because they don't realize that the truths they need to discover can only be received spiritually. The mind is only the gateway to the spirit. How I respond to what is said or read determines whether or not the gate of my mind opens up or stays closed. If I reject truth, my mind blocks the door to my spirit and I remain unaffected. But if I accept truth, God's Spirit will speak directly to my spirit, and I will be changed. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 Indeed, it is only by receiving the Spirit that we are even able to comprehend our true status as children of the Most High. And this is only if our minds allow it, which is why it is crucial to have a renewed mind: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. But getting back to the main issue here, the mind is merely the gateway to the spirit. God's Word is not conveyed by words or ideas. Words and ideas are simply keys that can unlock the gates of our minds so that God's Spirit is free to speak directly to our spirits. This is a subtle thing, but it is essential to a correct understanding of God's Word. Jesus is the only perfect human manifestation of God's Word The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:8&9 Jesus is God's Word in the flesh. Everything He has said or done depicts the very nature of the Creator. Our need for a tangible experience of God is fulfilled in Him, as much as flesh will allow. He is unique in His perfect portrayal of the Father. And yet, He is not with us at this time. So we must wait in faith for the day we will be united with Him together. THE COMPARISON I hope this has given you an appreciation for the awesome glory of God's Word. Now, let's consider what is said about the scriptures. These ideas are common to many Christians today: The Bible is all-inspired The Bible is without error The Bible is the complete revelation of God The Bible is Holy Is the Bible all-inspired? I would say no, on two levels. First, no inspiration can come from the Bible. Inspiration comes from God's Spirit. The Bible is merely a book- a unique book, but only a book. It is a book that conveys certain truths that can open the gates of our minds so the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives. But the inspiration comes directly from the Spirit. Second, not everything that is written in the scriptures comes from inspiration: A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:39&40 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. 1 Corinthians 7:5&6 These two examples show that some of the things that Paul shared in his letters were his own judgements, not necessarily words from the Spirit. When he wrote "and I think that I too have the Spirit of God", this shows that he wasn't sure what the Spirit's position was on this issue. To be fair, there is a lot in the Scriptures that comes from inspiration. But not everything. The fact that there are errors in the Bible also confirms this. Is the Bible without error? Based on the examples I've shown in other sections, it can't be. Here are some additional passages that cast doubt on the Bible's veracity: And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 1 Corinthians 11:5&6 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. 1 Timothy 2:11-15 Okay. According to Paul, women cannot teach or even speak in the congregation. They must have their heads covered or shave their hair. And, incredibly, Paul teaches that women are saved THROUGH CHILDBEARING! I'm sure some men might agree with the prohibition against women speaking in the congregation. But I think most Christians would disagree with most of these rules. Does a Christian woman have the freedom to leave her hair uncovered during worship? Of course. Can a Christian woman speak during a service? Why not? To impose such regulations would defy the spirit of grace and promote empty legalism. And what about salvation through childbirth? How can that be, when we read elsewhere: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8&9 Salvation through childbirth is salvation by works, not grace. There are some major contradictions in these verses. They contain little truth for modern Christians. These are just more proof that the Bible is not without error. Is the Bible the complete revelation of God? How can it be? God is infinite. The Bible is finite. The finite cannot describe the infinite. Besides, we know from Scripture itself that there are many things that have yet to be revealed. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down." Revelation 10:4 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Romans 8:18&19 And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:3&4 These are just a glimpse of the things that God will reveal to us. But I think the most important revelation is that of God Himself. One attribute of God is His abundance. Try to count the stars in the sky, and you realize this very quickly. So, in His abundance, I believe that God has ordained ages upon ages through which we will be "transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). This age is Kindergarten, and the next is First Grade. Age upon age, God will reveal Himself more and more to those who seek Him. When we graduate from this present age, we will no longer need our Kindergarten text books. In fact, we night not need any spiritual guidebooks at all, since scripture proclaims: For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 The Bible is only a partial revelation of the things of God. It is only the beginning of many ages of God's glorious revelation to His children! Is the Bible Holy? What is "holiness"? When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:4&5 In this example, God calls the ground "holy". Why? Let me suggest that the ground became holy through its direct contact with the Holy Father. This is not the case with the Bible. God's Spirit does not dwell within its pages. He does, however, dwell within believers, and so we can be called "holy". So, in this context, the Bible is not holy. There is another concept of holiness. Two times Matthew refers to Jerusalem as the "holy city". In this context, holiness has the meaning of being specially selected by God. Can we say that the Bible is specially selected by God? This is hard to say for sure. The way the Bible has come to us, it seems unlikely. First, there are several translations. Which of these would you say is the "holy" (God-ordained) translation? Second, the Bible is composed of several books. These books were selected from a larger group of books by a group of men who proclaimed them "canon". They basically said, "These are the books that are inspired and/or teach correct doctrine". But who were these men, and what was their criteria? Can we assume that God directed them to choose the books they chose? I don't think so. Third, all that we read in the Bible came to us very indirectly. What we have are translations of mostly fragments of copies of the original manuscripts. In the better Bibles, you will notice that in the New Testament, there are words, phrases and even whole sections that are accompanied by notes that say things like "this does not appear in the older manuscripts". In truth, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding what is truly scripture. Hence, I believe that the compilation of writings that we call the Bible was man-chosen, not God-chosen. Admittedly, God could have ordained the Bible. But I think He wants us to focus our attention on His greatest revelation- the true Holy Word of God: In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1&2 SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT Finally, I'd like to study a few passages, including three that are commonly taken out of context. In the New Testament, the Word of God is used in several different ways. But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father ' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Matthew 15:5&6 In this example, "word" comes from the Greek term "entole", meaning commandment. This refers to the "Law" of the Old Testament. during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. Luke 3:2 Here, "word" means "utterance" (rhema). It denotes God's Word conveyed in human language. This is equivalent to the Old Testament "word of the Lord". After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 In this case, the word of God is synonymous with the gospel. These next passages illustrate one more use of this phrase: Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 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 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:13 This is the Word of God in its Highest sense. It is the utterance power of God's Spirit, performing His awesome works. Unfortunately, two of these verses are regularly taken out of context. In two places here, the Word of God is likened to a sword, called "the sword of the Spirit", and "Sharper than any double-edged sword". Many Christians believe that this is referring to the Bible. Not at all! Is the Bible "living and active"? Can the Bible judge "the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"? Impossible! This is the work of the Holy Spirit. For a vivid example of this "sword" analogy, let's read this from the book of Revelation: In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Revelation 1:16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:16 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:21 This is the true Word of God- the sword of the Spirit! The New Testament never uses the term "Word of God" to refer to scripture. The Greek word "graphe" (meaning "document") is always used. And this term never means the New Testament, because the New Testament didn't exist until a long time after the various letters were written. So, when we read Paul's words to Timothy, they need to be kept in context: 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 Paul is talking about the OLD TESTAMENT, in the form in which it existed during his time. He isn't describing our modern translations of the Old Testament, and he isn't referring in any way to the New Testament. In conclusion, I have this to say about the Bible and God's Word: the Bible is material God's Word is Spirit The Bible speaks to the mind God's Word speaks to the heart The Bible is imperfect God's Word is perfect The Bible is temporary God's Word is lasting The Bible is merely an instrument God's Word is the source Let's look to the source!