Word of God – the Bible?

“Scripture,” isolated from any religious connotation, simply means something that is written. In the context of religious discussion, particularly the Christian religion, Scripture refers to that compilation of writings that we know as the Bible. Let us start with the premise that it is inerrant, and see what it tells us. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16) Friends heartily agree with this. Although, when Paul wrote this, “all scripture” only referred to the Old Testament, in some form, Friends accept the books of the New Testament (canonized 300 years after Paul) as also “scripture” in Paul’s meaning.

But is Scripture, the Bible, the ultimate, infallible, “inerrant” authority? How can so many denominations claim that yet disagree fiercely on what that authority says? Each must necessarily admit to using some human clerical Illuminati or to reliance on “the Holy Spirit” to have reached its distinct understanding. Either way, the Bible is no longer the ultimate authority. Thus we must take care not to hold up the physical book, the written words, as an idol in themselves.

But isn’t the Bible “the Word of God”? Let’s see what the Bible itself says about that. There are countless verses which mention “the word of God.” In each case, though, it would make no sense to replace “the word of God” with “the Bible.” For example, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1 becomes “After these things the Bible came unto Abram in a vision,…” What “Bible” existed in Abraham’s time? So it is with Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the prophets and all the other of the Old Testament who heard “the word of the Lord.”

What about in the New Testament? The same holds true – that there was no Bible, as we know it, while Jesus walked the earth so it would make no sense to substitute “the Bible” for “the Word of God” in any verse of Scriptures as we have them today. But those same Christian Scriptures do clearly define what, or Who is “the Word of God.” The first chapter of the book of John clearly states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men….And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4,14) The Greek logos which has been translated as “word” actually means a vocal utterance, audible speech. The Word of God is Christ, God speaking, His uttered voice, a living part of Himself which, for a time, was made flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

This are example of how Friends substitute for “the Word of God” in Scripture:

“After these things Christ, God speaking came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Zechariah 4:6)

“And they, when they had testified and preached Christ, God speaking, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” (Acts 8:25)

and so on. Christ, God speaking is the voice that inspired Scripture. Christ, God speaking is what all Scripture is about. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

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