1039. Is God the "Author" of the Publication Known as The Holy Bible?

A slogan heard quite often within Christian circles—used in various ways—is that God is the Author of the Bible. It's a concept that somewhat turns into a catchphrase without entirely taking into consideration what this specifically means.

For those who have listened to us for the past twenty years, you know how we embrace the truths found within the pages of this compilation of writings called The Bible. You also know how many things we've come to see differently from the beginning of our journey into grace and throughout the years as we grow in our understanding of the gospel of grace and the knowledge of the truth concerning Jesus. There are "concepts" about the Bible that are often handed down to all of us through religious mindsets that may not always be accurate and will have influence over us ... sometimes positively and sometimes negatively—depending on whether it is based on real truth or theorized assumptions that may be at least partially false.

For some, their belief is anchored in thinking everything in the Bible was dictated by God to humans who transcribed it in writing. Does inspiration really means dictation? Is the phrase God-breathed synonymous with "God spoke?" Is the Bible alive and able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart? Let's be clear ... we continue to be cheerleaders for the Bible as we always have been. But our faith and confidence isn't contained in the writings themselves, but in the living One to whom the writings point to as the Author of faith, life and salvation.



   
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932. Thoughts About Scriptures

We're doing a different type of program this week that is more about perspectives designed to give all of us some food for thought. Most of us have been handed down a very wide variety of assumptions and doctrines related to things contained within the pages of the Bible. But along the way, there is also quite a bit we've been told from others about what they think the Bible itself is or how it is perceived. For example, it is often called a book, when it is made up of many books and writings written by many different people. Our assumptions will have an effect on what we see or read within the pages. We also address how "scriptures" are defined.

Letters in the New Testament were written to specific people, often responding to questions that occurred after Paul left from a previous visit. Some of it was meant just for them, but we can still gain great truth from it. There is an incredible historical context that is often overlooked. But ultimately these NT writings were either written or dictated by people who were witnesses of the risen Jesus. He is the reason for the pages ... they don't give life, but Jesus does, and they point to Him as the way to eternal life. In spite of the many things written, He should always be our focus.



   
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628. Thinking Outside of the Verses

This week’s program continues on the topic of context among the forest of Bible verses. Christians have been trained to think of the Bible as one book, when in fact, it is made up of many different books recorded over hundreds and even thousands of years. We’re not saying it’s wrong to memorize individual verses, but they should always be considered within the context of the passage, the gospel, the New Covenant, and the Bible as a whole. We touch quickly on a few examples that you may have heard from a different perspective than what the context is communicating. These include: the law of shaving thy face; you will know them by their fruits; this is the day the Lord has made; and the tithing verse from the book of Hebrews.



   

627. Bible Verses Versus Bible Context

Chapters and verses in the Bible were added by publishers for reference purposes. It’s a handy tool in being able to locate specific passages in Scripture. Most of us have been taught to memorize by these individual verses, but there is an element of danger in doing this — it risks the assumption that a complete thought from the writer is contained with an individual verse. The writer may be communicating a point that is being shared over the course of many verses, or even several chapters. Plucking verses out of context not only leads to a misunderstanding of the passage, but of the gospel itself. This practice can cause Christians to slip into confusion and even despair, while often leading people into religious cults. While all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, this isn’t to be assumed that everything in the Bible is meant to be applied to us in a direct, personal way. Our understanding of the written Word will grow as we rightly divide this Word of Truth… not only from the context of the passage, but of the context of the gospel from a New Covenant perspective.



   

401. The Amazing Bible Passage Disappearing Act

Imagine having the "gift" of being able to determine which scriptures in the Bible are not God-inspired and should be removed. There could be numerous reasons for removing many verses or even chapters. For example, suppose there is one that messes up your existing belief or doctrine. Perhaps it's one you just don't understand or feel that it contradicts with other passages. Just take a black highlighter and Poof! - It's gone. You'll have the Bible down to less than half the size in no time. Maybe even come up with your very own translation.

OR... We have another suggestion on this week's GIGcast.

And in case you missed it, we posted "GIGBite Bonus Podcast 1" this past Wednesday, in celebration of having reached the milestone of our 400th Growing in Grace podcast! Look for two additional bonus podcasts as well, this coming Wednesday and the following Wednesday.

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This week's GIG Bite - A tasty sample of this week's program!

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