Is the Bible Really an Authoritative Source of God’s Word?
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| Miniature ofrom Folio 8r of the Syriac Bible of Paris shows Moses before Pharaoh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Logically, if God’s spoken word has authority, and if the Bible contains God’s written word, then the Bible must carry the same authority as God’s spoken word. King Josiah realized this, which is why he had such an intense reaction when he heard what was written in the “Book of the Law” (2 Kings 22:8).
Although the Bible has been passed down for generations, scholars have concluded that the accuracy of its text has been remarkably preserved through
the centuries by scribes who believed passionately in the importance of their work. The level of accuracy they maintained gives us confidence that the same meaning intended by the original authors, such as Moses, is what God’s Word
still communicates today.
The Bible is intended to bring us to faith in God and help us to live our
lives to the fullest (see Matthew 4:4; John 20:31; 1 Peter 2:2). Although its
words may in places seem enigmatic, the Bible encourages us that the effort
put forth in order to understand it will pay off (see Proverbs 2:1–5; Jeremiah
29:13). Because it was sent by the highest authority, Scripture contains the
secrets to living a fulfilled and God-centered life (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17).
The God who designed us also wrote the manual for living. Millions of
believers can attest to the transforming power of God’s authoritative written
Word in their lives.
