Christianity 101: Week Two

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14 (NASB)

The Holy Scriptures play a special role between God and humanity. As such, the Holy Scriptures are God’s direct revelation to all humanity. The Holy Scriptures are filled with riches and wisdom (see Deuteronomy 4:8; Psalm 119:98-99; 2 Timothy 3:15). So inevitably, questions arise whether the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, are the Holy Scriptures true, and whether the Holy Scriptures are logical.

God is the ultimate and original author of the Holy Scriptures sovereignly written by human authors over more than a millennium through God’s Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The human authors of the Holy Scriptures were essentially God’s transcribers. The Holy Scriptures are principally a historical narrative but timeless. Ultimately, the truths found in the Holy Scriptures transcend history.

Moreover, Jesus is the living Word of God full of grace and truth (John 1:1-5, 14; John 14:6). The Holy Scriptures testifies to Jesus, the living Word of God (Luke 24:44-47). The Old Testament points to Jesus, and the New Testament refers to Jesus. Essentially, Jesus lies at the heart of both Old and New Testaments and reveals God’s redemptive activity to save all humanity from their sins.

God has graciously given humanity the Holy Scriptures for our understanding and salvation (redemption) (1 Timothy 2:4). Through our faith in the living Word (Jesus), God graciously gives His people the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Holy Scriptures (2 Corinthians 3:14-18; 1 John 2:20).

Even more, God graciously sends His good teachers to help His people understand His Word (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:2). These good teachers provide practical applications of the Holy Scriptures. Good teachers do not negate our need for our close and diligent reading of the Holy Scriptures. God wants His people to read the Holy Scriptures personally and to let His Holy Spirit reveal His truths.

Repeated reading, meditation, and observation of the Holy Scriptures bring clarity and understanding of God’s Word. Good Bible study requires our observation, interpretation, application, and summary. When reading the Holy Scriptures, we must also consider the context and characters of the Scriptures as well as dating and location. If we have difficulty with the Holy Scriptures, we are to ask God to lead and guide our understanding through His Holy Spirit (see John 14:17; John 16:13). Inevitably, our repeated reading of God’s Word leads to a good understanding of the Holy Scriptures and a life that reflects the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.

References

McCartney, Dan. Let the Reader Understand (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presb. and Reformed Publishing, 2^nd Edition, 2002).

Schwab, George, Ph.D., Professor of Exegesis (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2016).