Articles
Respect for the Written Word
Every once in awhile, you may hear someone critical of the Bible assert that it is untrustworthy because, as they say, 'It has obviously been changed and the original text polluted.' This is stated without evidence ten times out of ten [in my experience], but it's a nice little way of justifying one's unbelief — and for one never having actually read what is contained within its pages.
The statement is one of ignorance, for it must ignore two major points about the written word: (1) If God can supernaturally reveal it to mankind for his salvation, it is just as easily preserved by that same power, and (2) history shows that those who transcribed the text were meticulous in copying the words contained within. Copies of the Bible text that were written centuries apart and on different continents contain essentially the exact same wording. [I say 'essentially' because they are written in different languages, too; not everything translates word-for-word.] The oldest known manuscript says exactly what your Bible says.
A few points about the scribes who wrote and copied the text of the Bible are in order now, to make the point about the respect they had for the written word:
-- No word or even a letter could be written from memory. A scribe must have another scroll open before him and pronounce every word out loud before copying it.
-- The word and letter count was known for each line, column, and page, and a Torah Scroll was disqualified if even a single letter was added or deleted. The page would simply be discarded, and they would begin again. This word and letter count would later carry over to the entire Bible, and it is known which chapter, verse, word, and letter are the central ones within the Bible.
-- The branch of scribes known as Masoretes were strictly controlled, including the quality [and types] of inks and skins used to produce the scrolls. [And they often made their own.] The condition of the room in which the copies were made was also tightly controlled, in addition to the cleanliness of, and clothing material worn by, the scribe. Only certain colors of ink were permissible.
-- It is said that they were to be so focused on transcribing the text that if even the King walked into the scriptorium, they were to ignore him and continue writing as they had been doing, and he was not allowed to speak to them or interrupt their work.
Can we honestly question the integrity of the text now?
There are over 100 references to the written word of God within the New Testament, emphasizing its importance even then, so how much more so for us today? Consider just a few examples:
-- The temptation of Jesus. In Matthew's account (Matt. 4:1-11), we find the devil tempting Jesus to turn the stones into bread (Matt. 4:3), to throw Himself off the top of the temple (Matt. 4:6), and to bow down to him (Matt. 4:9). In each case, Jesus answered, “It is written,…” — highlighting the strength of the written word. This wonderful example has set forth the pattern and answer for not only every temptation, but also for every question about what is right in the sight of God.
-- The rich, young, ruler. (Luke 10:25, 26) On this occasion, the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Eternal life, we would all admit, is in the hand of God, so how did Jesus answer? Jesus said, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” Jesus appealed to the written word of God for His answer!
-- The appeal when there is division. (1 Cor. 4:6) When Paul wrote the Corinthians concerning their divisions over who had taught them or baptized them (chapters 1-4), he admonished them for their divisiveness and used himself and Apollos as examples to show their foolishness, and then said that these things were done so that they might “learn in us not to think beyond what is written.” Paul's admonition rested on the written word of God!
-- The basis for belief in Jesus as the Christ. (John 20:30, 31) John records just a few of the miracles of Jesus, stating there were many more yet unrecorded. But even with those few recorded miracles, John tells us plainly the reason these were recorded, or written down? “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” The written word of God is sufficient to bring about faith in those who read it.
-- The inspiration of the written word and its place in our lives. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) When Paul said all Scripture was able to make the man of God complete, he signified the very thing that was necessary, to the exclusion of needing anything else. And what is Scripture? The word Scripture simply means sacred writing. The thing that makes a man of God complete is the sacred writing! We should note well that God has told us that the written word of God is what makes us complete. Nothing else is needed.
When it comes down to it, what we think about the written word of God will come from our attitude towards God Himself. Think about the time when God's people returned from captivity, having finally learned the lesson that God wanted no other gods before Him, and that His word was sure. When they came together, we find, “the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (Neh. 8:1-3). We also see, “when he opened it, all the people stood up” (Neh. 8:5), and, “all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law” (Neh. 8:9). They were not just passing away the time, but were actually listening and convicted by what they heard.
Think, too, about what Paul said about the brethren of Thessalonica and their attitude towards the word. He could say without doubt, “we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13). They knew that what they were hearing was not just the words of mere mortal men, but what it actually was — the word of God! Because they understood it for what it was, they allowed those words to convict them and move them to action, and they are one of the most positive examples of a faithful church in the New Testament!
Do we have the same respect for God's word that the Israelites had? — enough to stand when the book is opened, and interested enough to listen for half a day? Do we, like the Thessalonians, acknowledge it as the word of God, as it truly is, or have we been conned by the religious leaders of our day who declare it a mere book of collected myths and oral traditions originating with men?
It is bad enough that the world has no respect for the written word of God, but how much more so when those who profess to be followers of Christ do not respect it? These words are, as Peter noted to Jesus, “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68) — the very words by which we will be judged in the end (John 12:48). Knowing that these words hold your eternal judgment's fate, it would be wise to accept them for what they are, with a healthy respect, with conviction they are true, and with a desire to bring them to others.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T the word. —— Steven Harper
