Introduction to God's Word

God's Word
INTRODUCTION

In this study of God’s Word, the Bible translation most often used is the New American Standard Bible. Therefore, it seems proper to begin by pointing out some abbreviations and special markings from the NASB used in this study.

The first series of studies consisted of three parts: God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit (see Contents). This series of studies also has three parts: God’s Word, God’s Salvation (see Contents) and God’s Church (see Contents).

We suggest that you spend time studying the whole series in consecutive order. This is especially important because the content and treatment of each subject presented is heavily influenced by the context of both sections. For example: this study is about the Bible as God’s Word. If you have already read and studied God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, you will hopefully have the same concept of God as we do when we talk of God’s Word in our present study. If so, then we will be on common ground, leading to a better understanding of both God and His Word.

Consecutive reading and studying of both sections also helps to understand and appreciate the selective process we have utilized with regard to the content found in each study. For example: As reader, you are about to begin this study: God’s Word – the first of three studies in this series.

Even the casual reader may discern the logic of beginning a section on God’s provisions with a study about God’s Word instead of a study about God’s salvation. After all, we find out about God’s salvation, etc., from God’s Word. This same logic applies to the consecutive order of the sections, as well as the lessons in each section. Hopefully, you will appreciate our request to consider each study – each lesson – in its prescribed place. In this way, we believe the reader will come to appreciate that each subject included in the entire series of studies has not only been presented in a lucid way, but also in its logical place.

This study, God’s Word, presents the Bible from its source to its survival in the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on the unique features of the Bible that make it the study for the ages. Care is taken to avoid many tangential elaborations which, if pursued, would extend the book to unreasonable length. For example: The methods used by the early scribes to assure the accuracy of the texts they copied are not described in detail. In most instances, the readers find sufficient bibliography in the notes to follow up on areas of their special interests which are not spelled out in this study.

The overall plan of approach and procedure for developing this study is, shall we say, reduced to its lowest common denominator. By this we mean the study is as brief as the subject matter will allow. The five major themes we have developed seem necessary for achieving the goals in view.

One’s interest in the Bible cannot be sufficiently aroused unless one comes to see it as a unique book rooted and grounded in God. But, as we deal with a book that has God as its source, how is it possible for mere mortals to have it in hand and see it in tangible form? This study seeks to show that when God revealed the contents of the Bible to men He selected and inspired them to write the texts. The first two major lessons in this study are under the heading of the source of the Bible and stresses God’s revelatory and inspirational role in bringing the Bible into being through human agency.

The Bible did not pop into existence like a “Jack-in-the-box.” As the next two lessons of this study unfold they show that the Bible had a long period of growth before its completion. This implies the document we call “the Bible” had an historical development. Our inquiry into its historical growth shows the progressive nature of God’s revelation and the providential care exercised by Him in bringing this unique book into being.

Then our study shows how the Bible, as an unparalleled document, comes to a completion. This portion of our study stresses the use and role of human language as the medium through which God made known His relationship with humanity. We trace the process through which His revealed, inspired, and written word came to full maturity under His providential care. We take the reader through the languages involved in the writing of the Bible. We also study the challenges the early Christians faced in recognizing the finality of the Scriptures. We see them bringing those exclusive Scriptures together into a completed book of literature that had been tested, or canonized.

Our study then shows the indestructibility (durability) of the Bible. The canon of the fourth century remains inviolate. There has never been a successful challenge of its contents, although the Apocrypha remains a “close neighbor” to the inspired Scriptures through the centuries. In treating the theme of the durability of the Bible, we stress that the content of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) remains the same although the classification and numbering of Old Testament books varied slightly from time to time. We also note that before the end of the fourth century A.D. there is extra-biblical literary evidence that what the early Christians recognized as sacred literature then is the canon of Scripture we have today.

The important place and historical significance of two major translations are outlined. They are the Greek Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Hebrew Bible before the beginning of the Christian era, and the Latin Vulgate translation of both biblical testaments after the Bible was canonized.

Theme five of our study carries the burden of showing that the Bible proves to be remarkably reliable as history. This is not to say that the Bible is merely a history book – far from it. One needs only to turn to the Psalms with their poetic beauty, the Proverbs and their witticisms and to Romans as profound theology, to realize the sublime heights that biblical literature can reach. Nonetheless, theme five is designed to show that to the extent the Bible does speak historically it does so with an amazing, and often detailed, accuracy.

At least two qualifications must be met before the historical reliability of the Bible can be established. First, it must be apparent that the biblical texts we have today contain what was originally written. Lesson nine of this study briefly and selectively traces the history of the textual transmission of the biblical texts we have today.

Second, one must be able to verify the historical testimony of the Bible with tangible evidence. Evidence showing the Bible to be historically dependable is established by archaeological discoveries. This is the case even though those working in the discipline of archaeology are not attempting to prove the Bible. Moreover, they also realize that much historical data in the Bible have not been touched on in their respective digs. Lesson ten also elaborates on other ways by which archaeology aids in the study of the Bible.

We invite you to continue with us on a fascinating literary journey. The story of the beginning, growth, completion, and subsequent impact of the Bible as God’s Word has no parallel in history. We hope that this brief treatment of such a vast and important subject will heighten your appreciation for the Bible and lead to serious study of its contents.