I recently read a post that said: “because the Bible is not inerrant/infallible as we have it today. Its language and grammar and intention have been affected by the wills and desires of men over the centuries…”How do we respond to this belief in a loving way?
One thing is as common today as it was when Christ walked the earth. There have always been and will always be people who try to diminish the deity of both Christ and His Word. Firstly, before I go forward with this question, it’s important instruction and wisdom to PICK YOUR BATTLES. I simply don’t respond to posts that try to refute the truth because I realize the social media platform isn’t the place to do such things. Besides this, most people who write or say these things are doing so in order to cause a debate but they’re never actually intending to change or learn. They think they have it figured out. Someday they will learn they don’t.
John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Of course we know that Jesus is the Word, but that means the Word is Jesus as well. The Bible IS God in that it’s His Words to us. Now look at 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Yes, scriptures have been penned by men, and yes, grammar and dialect have changed over the centuries, but the heart of the Lord and the intent of His Word have not changed. I am actually grateful for the constant discovery of more and more accurate understanding of the words and cultural context of the scriptures. Things like the Dead Sea Scrolls have proven greater accuracy and honed scholarly understanding of what was originally in the text. Many Biblical scholars have combined their intellects to unfold as much truth as they possibly can and their pursuits only continue to this day. But even despite humanity’s imperfect understanding of the Bible, the heart of God remains perfect. His heart and intent is for us to be taught, reproofed, corrected and trained by it.
Look at 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The thread of the scripture, that which ties it all together, is the Spirit of the Lord behind it all. It’s less important for us to understand the grammar than it is for us to understand the heart of God. We must remember that. One thing that I started doing early on as a Christian is looking for the heart of God in each parable, in each book, in each verse that I read. I knew I couldn’t possibly understand every detail or every context or every historical symbol, but if I went to the Word searching for God, I’d find Him. This still rings true today!
Look at Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.”
I guess to sum up the answer to your question, I’d say, don’t use social media as a debate platform, and if the discussion is genuine and face to face, respond with the Love of God. His heart is for all to know His love for them, His hope for them, and His salvation. Let them know 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée
