“Mistakes”
Recently Pastor Abbye wrote a blog called “Mistakes”. She brought up some things that I too have often wondered about.
Now, before I continue, here is a short (I think necessary this time) disclaimer. The following are just random thoughts from inside my head. I have not studied this in depth nor do I think I have all the answers or that even all of my musings are correct. But I often neglect writing because I labor over every little tittle – I think sometimes to the detriment of some great conversation starters. So here it comes – straight out of my head and typed into my keyboard. You have been warned. Comments welcomed…
I often wonder about the Bible as we have it today. I have been taught that God supernaturally captured and preserved His complete Word in the 66 books we have today. But I have noticed, as Pastor Abbye has pointed out, inconsistencies. Just small ones… but none the less. I have noticed that by choosing the right version from the multitudes of translations available to us today…. you can pretty much find the version that says it like you like it. And, what about “inspiration”? Does that mean that God has so indwelled the men that wrote and translated the scriptures that they were almost without self will, writing only what God allowed them to write? Doesn’t that infringe on free will? I’ve never heard of a God possession – rather that He dwells in us as Holy Spirit – our helper. Old Testament writers didn’t even have Holy Spirit yet. When God wanted to do something absolutely right He did it Himself – like the 10 commandments…Written with His own hand.
John starts off his gospel saying, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus quotes the scriptures several times referring to the law. But it seems to me that when Christ came He became the new Word. Not that the old one would become void but that He would now fulfill the law and that now the Word can become more than words on a page. Holy Spirit allows His Word to dwell in our hearts.
Ok – I have a point, or rather some points… I guess I’ll just list them.
- I guess I feel the New Testament started a new era of The Word as we know it. And that it’s greatest value is it’s first hand account of those who walked with Jesus. The founding of the first churches. But the books of the new testament take on a very different tone to me. These men are not documenting facts and information. They seem to be speaking God’s Word from their hearts…not the law as much. Remember, they were writing the new testament – they didn’t have it to refer to.
- The New Testament refers to the apostles preaching The Word over and over again. But they weren’t preaching the Bible – they were preaching Jesus, The Word.
- SO – here’s my big point. Is the Word we hear today out of modern day apostles prophets and teachers as much the Word as the New Testament? If we are preaching Jesus – aren’t we preaching The Word. So, couldn’t our bookstores be filled with so much more than the 66 books? And, is it possible – since God uses men and doesn’t possess men that a jot or tittle of our 66 books could have been switched here or there?
- Is the miracle so much that the words on the page are absolutely 100% correct or that the Word in our hearts remains genuine throughout our time here on earth?
So, I was just thinking…
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(closing disclaimer… I study the Bible regularly and consider the wisdom on it’s pages words to live by. I love the Bible and am in no way discrediting the validity of it. I compare anything I read from the bookstore to the Bible to discern it’s validity. I have barely proofed this post, nor has anyone from The ROCK. These are my random thoughts alone. I have not labored over it – I just wanted to write something today without obsessing over it. So comment away – and be gentle…Â 
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