Its opportune that I'm currently reading the books of the Law and in Deuteronomy at this time, so that some things are still fresh in my mind on this topic, and the Lord has been only too willing to show me what I've seen before and more for the sake of the edification of His church. Whether you believe that the "prophetic gift" is still active or not, we want to know what God says about prophets and specifically what He says about His own. We'll look specifically at what is said in the New Testament as this is given for the edification of the church and with explanation regarding what the Old testament scripture says, and we'll go back to the Old testament to "fill out" our understanding.
First lets consider what God says about His word and its application with regard to what is possibly the greatest objection of the "institutionalized church" (a term I use for any denomination that draws authority in part from dogma as opposed to scripture and orthopraxy derived solely from tradition.)
1. Is the Bible complete and if so, does this mean that God no longer speaks to His people?
This question is at once the source of argument in such a discussion as well as the key to understanding any of the arguments which follow.
Perhaps we can answer this question to our own satisfaction by breaking it up into smaller questions. So what does scripture say about itself? What does it say about God speaking to men? How does it define prophecy and what does God consider legitimate prophecy? What is God's reason for speaking to us?
so: 1a. What does scripture say about itself with regard to prophecy?
The first thing that I can remember hearing about scripture in regard to its completeness from a pulpit (and more than one as this has become a widely accepted dogma) is that the Bible, as the word of God, is a complete work in that its purpose is to reveal God in the person of His Son, Jesus called the Christ, and also gives us all the information that we need to live godly lives. I actually agree with this one and my contention is that prophecy serves a larger purpose in the congregation of believers when you understand that we are not simply saved for our own sake, but are called to serve in the body for the purposes of Christ. So, how do we get there from scripture?
The earliest argument that I've heard about the completeness of scripture is derived directly from the last book of the Bible, the book of the Revelation of Jesus (the) Christ. This book of scripture, attributed to the Apostle John (though supposedly not written with the same degree of linguistic skill as the gospel and letters also attributed to John) comes with both blessing and curses associated with it. The curses are as such: 18. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19. and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19
The first question that we have to ask is what do these 2 verses actually refer to? The first pulpit that I heard teach about this (as well as others) made the claim that the book of the Revelation, being the last book of the Bible, gives these verses application to the entire Bible, and therefore to add anything to the accepted Cannon of scripture or to take anything away is anathema to Christ?
The problem with the argument is that at the writing of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, there was not yet a formalized and accepted Cannon of New Testament scripture, which was agreed upon at a later date by the leadership of the church. The verses really only apply to the book of the Revelation itself, and in this regard the book of the Revelation is a closed book. We can now ask, what about the rest of scripture? What else has God said about His word?
The most extensive writing about the word of God as found in the word of God is found in Psalms 119. Without copying and pasting the entire psalm lets look at parts of it as it relates to the discussion. First, verse 9 gives us one fundamental purpose of the word of God which we can verify repeatedly throughout scripture: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping {it} according to Your word.
The verse tells us plainly that purity is directly related to living according to God's word. God has a concern for our purity and has given His word to help us to be pure in His sight.
Verses 17-19, still concerned with the keeping of God's word, reveal a major impediment to our understanding and doing it: 17. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. 19. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
These verses reveal to us that though we may have physical eye sight, we may yet be blind to what God's word is saying and need God's grace and good will to see and understand what His will is for us.
Verses 26 through 31 show us that repentance is confessing our own way to God and turning to Him to follow His word: 26. I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. 28. My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29. Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. 30. I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances {before me.} 31. I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!
Verse 89 speaks to the permanence of the word of God: Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
There won't be any arguing over scripture in heaven, God's word is accepted by all as the truth.
Verse 102 requires special attention: I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me.
While the prophets tell us that under the New Covenant we shall all be taught by God, the only person that could make the claim of verse 102 and be completely truthful in it with regard to life on earth is Jesus Christ Himself, but as His body on Earth there is the expectation that we will perform as He does to the extent that He empowers us to do so.
Verse 104 reveals to us a cause for our own reaction to false teaching (and mishandling of scripture): From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
To clarify my statement, allow me to rephrase verse 104 according to its meaning: I hate every false way because I get understanding from your precepts. In other words, I hate every false way because they cause misunderstanding of God's will.
Verse 105 describes the word of God in a functional way: Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Using allegory, God describes His word as that which reveals to us where to place our feet and where we are going.
Verse 144 also gives testimony to the endurance of God's word: Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.
Here we see that the word of God (His testimonies) remain as He is, entirely righteous for ever, and that in understanding them we may live (forever). We consider biblical revelation progressive from the earlier books to the later books, but what was said in the beginning remains true in the end.
Verse 160 also speaks to the eternal nature of God's word, but makes an important point when considering scripture and its meaning: The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Its relatively easy to take some scripture out of context and to misinterpret its meaning, making it untrue. The truth of God is found in the summation of what He's said, not in bits and pieces. Those that neglect the entire counsel of God and cling to pieces of it, are bound to misunderstand the message.
While psalms 119 remains one of the richest testimonies to the word of God itself, what does the law say with regard to adding to or subtracting from God's word?
In chapter 4 of the book of Deuteronomy, which is a summation of the law and a remembrance of the wilderness journeying of Israel, God says through Moses: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2
This is quite similar to what we find in the curses of the book of the Revelation, though it speaks specifically to God's commandments. If you make the first part into a question rather than a statement, you can recognize that the latter part is the answer to the question: Why shouldn't you add to or take away from God's commandments? So that you may keep them. Jesus rebuked the pharisees and scribes for this very thing: 9. And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
10. "For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 11. "But you say, `If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban (that is, dedicated to the temple)''; 12. "and you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13. "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.'' Mark 7:9-13
We haven't covered everything yet with regard to even our first sub-question (1a. What does scripture say about itself with regard to prophecy?) and will continue to look at what God has to say about prophecy and His servants, but for now we have plenty to discuss (or argue about if that's your bent) and I'll stop here for comments, questions, additions and subtractions (we're discussing scripture, not writing it.)
Take care and God bless.
First lets consider what God says about His word and its application with regard to what is possibly the greatest objection of the "institutionalized church" (a term I use for any denomination that draws authority in part from dogma as opposed to scripture and orthopraxy derived solely from tradition.)
1. Is the Bible complete and if so, does this mean that God no longer speaks to His people?
This question is at once the source of argument in such a discussion as well as the key to understanding any of the arguments which follow.
Perhaps we can answer this question to our own satisfaction by breaking it up into smaller questions. So what does scripture say about itself? What does it say about God speaking to men? How does it define prophecy and what does God consider legitimate prophecy? What is God's reason for speaking to us?
so: 1a. What does scripture say about itself with regard to prophecy?
The first thing that I can remember hearing about scripture in regard to its completeness from a pulpit (and more than one as this has become a widely accepted dogma) is that the Bible, as the word of God, is a complete work in that its purpose is to reveal God in the person of His Son, Jesus called the Christ, and also gives us all the information that we need to live godly lives. I actually agree with this one and my contention is that prophecy serves a larger purpose in the congregation of believers when you understand that we are not simply saved for our own sake, but are called to serve in the body for the purposes of Christ. So, how do we get there from scripture?
The earliest argument that I've heard about the completeness of scripture is derived directly from the last book of the Bible, the book of the Revelation of Jesus (the) Christ. This book of scripture, attributed to the Apostle John (though supposedly not written with the same degree of linguistic skill as the gospel and letters also attributed to John) comes with both blessing and curses associated with it. The curses are as such: 18. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19. and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19
The first question that we have to ask is what do these 2 verses actually refer to? The first pulpit that I heard teach about this (as well as others) made the claim that the book of the Revelation, being the last book of the Bible, gives these verses application to the entire Bible, and therefore to add anything to the accepted Cannon of scripture or to take anything away is anathema to Christ?
The problem with the argument is that at the writing of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, there was not yet a formalized and accepted Cannon of New Testament scripture, which was agreed upon at a later date by the leadership of the church. The verses really only apply to the book of the Revelation itself, and in this regard the book of the Revelation is a closed book. We can now ask, what about the rest of scripture? What else has God said about His word?
The most extensive writing about the word of God as found in the word of God is found in Psalms 119. Without copying and pasting the entire psalm lets look at parts of it as it relates to the discussion. First, verse 9 gives us one fundamental purpose of the word of God which we can verify repeatedly throughout scripture: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping {it} according to Your word.
The verse tells us plainly that purity is directly related to living according to God's word. God has a concern for our purity and has given His word to help us to be pure in His sight.
Verses 17-19, still concerned with the keeping of God's word, reveal a major impediment to our understanding and doing it: 17. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. 19. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
These verses reveal to us that though we may have physical eye sight, we may yet be blind to what God's word is saying and need God's grace and good will to see and understand what His will is for us.
Verses 26 through 31 show us that repentance is confessing our own way to God and turning to Him to follow His word: 26. I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. 28. My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29. Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. 30. I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances {before me.} 31. I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!
Verse 89 speaks to the permanence of the word of God: Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
There won't be any arguing over scripture in heaven, God's word is accepted by all as the truth.
Verse 102 requires special attention: I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me.
While the prophets tell us that under the New Covenant we shall all be taught by God, the only person that could make the claim of verse 102 and be completely truthful in it with regard to life on earth is Jesus Christ Himself, but as His body on Earth there is the expectation that we will perform as He does to the extent that He empowers us to do so.
Verse 104 reveals to us a cause for our own reaction to false teaching (and mishandling of scripture): From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
To clarify my statement, allow me to rephrase verse 104 according to its meaning: I hate every false way because I get understanding from your precepts. In other words, I hate every false way because they cause misunderstanding of God's will.
Verse 105 describes the word of God in a functional way: Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Using allegory, God describes His word as that which reveals to us where to place our feet and where we are going.
Verse 144 also gives testimony to the endurance of God's word: Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.
Here we see that the word of God (His testimonies) remain as He is, entirely righteous for ever, and that in understanding them we may live (forever). We consider biblical revelation progressive from the earlier books to the later books, but what was said in the beginning remains true in the end.
Verse 160 also speaks to the eternal nature of God's word, but makes an important point when considering scripture and its meaning: The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Its relatively easy to take some scripture out of context and to misinterpret its meaning, making it untrue. The truth of God is found in the summation of what He's said, not in bits and pieces. Those that neglect the entire counsel of God and cling to pieces of it, are bound to misunderstand the message.
While psalms 119 remains one of the richest testimonies to the word of God itself, what does the law say with regard to adding to or subtracting from God's word?
In chapter 4 of the book of Deuteronomy, which is a summation of the law and a remembrance of the wilderness journeying of Israel, God says through Moses: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2
This is quite similar to what we find in the curses of the book of the Revelation, though it speaks specifically to God's commandments. If you make the first part into a question rather than a statement, you can recognize that the latter part is the answer to the question: Why shouldn't you add to or take away from God's commandments? So that you may keep them. Jesus rebuked the pharisees and scribes for this very thing: 9. And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
10. "For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 11. "But you say, `If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban (that is, dedicated to the temple)''; 12. "and you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13. "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.'' Mark 7:9-13
We haven't covered everything yet with regard to even our first sub-question (1a. What does scripture say about itself with regard to prophecy?) and will continue to look at what God has to say about prophecy and His servants, but for now we have plenty to discuss (or argue about if that's your bent) and I'll stop here for comments, questions, additions and subtractions (we're discussing scripture, not writing it.)
Take care and God bless.
