Exalting the Scriptures
By Peter Maddison
Psalms 138:2
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your constant love and truth.
You have exalted your name
and your promise above everything else (CSB17S)
One of the problems of wanting to trust the scriptures is which ones? Today, there are several hundred known Hebrew manuscripts, or codices, of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) that still exist. There are thousands of fragments of the Old Testament in existence today, most notably among the Dead Sea Scrolls (over 200 Biblical manuscripts) and Cairo Genizah collections (over 200,000 fragments, many from the Hebrew Bible).
There are also over 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, including fragments, codices, and lectionaries. Additionally, there are thousands of translations and versions in other ancient languages like Latin, Coptic, Syriac (Aramaic), and Armenian. You maybe know that scholars at the top of the study realm are actually believing Matthew was originally written in Aramaic, not Greek. There are over 450 complete English Bible translations.
The Eastern Orthodox Church have an Aramaic New Testament they claim can be traced back to the Apostles. They are the second largest denomination in the world.
What we read on the pages of our Bibles are people’s interpretations of what they ‘think’ is being said. It is impossible for their interpretations not to be influenced by their worldviews which is important to note.’
I said all this to say: ‘when I am told that we need to trust the scriptures, that they are infallible and inerrant. My question is always which ones
I have been a student of the scriptures for over 30 years and like many of you I have also listened to many teachers of the Scriptures. I cannot trust what I read or hear unless it meets certain criteria for me. Here are four:
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- First and foremost can I see Jesus in what I am reading? (John 5.36-40)
- Is it contradictory in any way to the character and nature of Jesus/Father/Holy Spirit? They are consubstantial. (See below)
- Is it contradictory to anything that Jesus has said? (John 8.31-32) (Jesus is not referring to the Scriptures, rather He is referring to what He has or is speaking and teaching. Some of my translations actually say this)
- Am I receiving a witness from Holy Spirit about what I am reading or listening to?
I have to constantly remind myself:
The position of Scripture has been elevated above Jesus for quite some time in recent years. We are taught that Scripture is perfect. In reality Jesus is the real substance and He is perfect and Scripture needs to be interpreted in light of this revelation
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- The Scriptures never call themselves infallible, inerrant or The Word
- All of Scripture was inspired by God… (it was not dictated)
- Jesus and the Scriptures do not always agree with each other
- Scripture reveals the history of man’s walk with God, and contains either Truth about God or the truth about the lies that man believed about God (Thanks @Dubb Alexander)
___________________
Definition of consubstantial
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- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of the same divine essence or substance (see Nicene Creed also)
- Unity of essence: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate beings but are united in a single, divine substance. Each Person of the Trinity is fully and completely God, sharing the same divine nature.
- Distinction of Persons: While the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of the same essence, they are distinct Persons with unique roles and relationships within the Godhead. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not Holy Spirit, the Father is not Holy Spirit, but each is equally and fully divine.
- Equality in Divinity: Consubstantiality emphasises that each Person of the Trinity is co-eternal and co-equal in power, glory, and divinity. There is no hierarchy or difference in nature between them; each Person is equally God.
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