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| It is written, “It is written” |
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In the desert, God the Son was approached by Satan himself. Satan had the nerve to actually tempt God’s very own Son (wow!) – clearly the Father had given him permission. Amazingly, the Son’s reply, not once, not twice, but three times, was “It is written!” He quoted scripture, verbatim! (As Jesus was recorded doing on other occasions as well, see Matt. 11:10, 21:13, and 26:24, 31).
This sort of amazes me, because Jesus could have just as easily replied, “my Father says…”, or simply “I command you.” But instead, he replied “it is written.” Apparently there is something to the words of that little old Book after all. In the phrase, “it is written”, it seems our Lord put the words of scripture on the same level of authority as the words of his own mouth, or even words he could have relayed from the Father.
Could I be understanding this correctly? Because if I am, it seems scripture might get the last word over a lot of critics, including those who say the Bible is a flawed book, written by human hands from human minds, full of discrepancies and translational errors, a prisoner of its original context, writings arbitrarily included in/excluded from the canon, etc.
Am I reading too much into the words “it is written”? I hope not, because if those really are God’s actual words to me in the Bible, it’s no wonder they eventually had such a profound effect on my life! But then, if I’m wrong, I guess God has an equal chance of speaking to me through just about anything, from any book about God to…umm, maybe an issue of Sports Illustrated?
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| To add a comment to "It is written, “It is written”" |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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| Thanks Lara! |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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| Great! |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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| Good blog, Mike. I believe you may be selling short the view you seem to be disputing, however. To say that the Bible is not a part of the Trinity does not deny that it is the inspired Word of God and a most important gift from Him for pointing us to Him. Jesus studied and knew the Scripture (i.e. Old Testament) very well and treasured it, as do you and I, but I don't think He equated it with God. I don't think our two points of view are very far apart, but they are separated by church politics. John 5:39-40. I'm glad we both love the Lord with all our hearts! |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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Thanks for your comment Kathy! I don't mean to discount the importance of study at all, nor am I responding to a particular blog. It just struck me recently how amazing it is that Jesus responded with "it is written", and to me how curious. He was God's Son, after all! (Immediately before Jesus' temptation in the desert, he'd been baptized, when he'd heard the voice from heaven say "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.") LOL- I certainly don't mean to suggest the Bible should a 4th member of the Trinity! But if one (or more it seems) of the members of the Trinity speaks words to us, those words are still their words, in written form!
I appreciate your love for scripture, deeply in fact! Without a high view of scripture, we would all inevitably lose sight of God's truth, wouldn't we? I love scripture, and just felt led to share this thought. Glad you enjoyed it! :-)
Thanks to you too Doyle! |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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Greta blog, Mike. And very valuable since it really does mean that the Word of God IS the final arbiter in issues of life and death.
(but don't get upset by the fact that the wording is slightly different in the New Testament account than it is in the Old Testament text - it's still God's Word.) |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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Thanks Gene!
I'm rereading one of the sentences written in response to Kathy, and it looks confusing to me. I wrote, "But if one (or more it seems) of the members of the Trinity speaks words to us, those words are still their words, in written form!"
Does that make sense? My thought was, it's silly to make God's words a 4th member of the Trinity, but also strange to treat them separately from the Trinity in the first place...they are God's words after all, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! |
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| January 21, 2008 |
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| Thanks for such a revelation!! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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| This is great Mike! If all Christians and people would just stand and say " It is written" the church would be so much more powerful! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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'It is written' points to the great authority of the written Word of God, that is, the Holy Bible. All those 66 books in the divine canon are very important. And we are going to be judged by them! God has given us His written Word and we need to read it daily, even upon our knees. Because it is the Word of God. So we have to be very careful about neglecting God's Word, and we must pray that that written word will become real and true in our life. There are more than 8000 promises in the Bible, and we need to know them all. For we are as rich as the promises of God which we claim by faith. So why don't we read more of the written Word of God, the Holy Bible, and claim those promises? There are also commands to obey, and divine principles to walk in....but I think we can begin by 'standing on the promises of God'. We can begin this New Year by resolving to read through the Holy Book from Genesis to Revelation by 31st December 2008. |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Thanks Pastor Queen and Keith!
Procyon, I've never thought of read it upon my knees, but that's the respect the very words of God are due, aren't they? In them are the power to save, and the power to condemn! I really don't think I'll be memorizing 8000 promises, though I've recently bought a booklet listing them out so I can better familiarize myself with them. Promises right from God himself....wow! (Although if the word of God is really the words of men about God, how sure are we about those promises?) |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Hey Mike,
I agree with you. "It is written" can be a powerful apologetic. However, like most good things, this too can be abused. For instance, when you accuse some of saying that the Bible is "a prisoner of its original context" we shouldn't automatically assume that this is a bad thing, but a necessary consequence of the fact that God's method of inspiration utilized the facilities of the human author. Therefore, we should expect common and ordinary things to be described in the common and ordinary language of the day -- not in the language of a 21st century western Christian.
For instance, Satan takes Jesus onto a high mountain where "all the kingdoms of the earth can be seen" -- where in Palestine is that? By the 1st century, there were already civilizations on every continent around the globe. In this very story, we see the biblical author accommodating his language to the geography that was commonly understood at the time (Earth was a disc with Palestine in the center). Even Daniel envisioned a tree that grew so large it touched the roof of the sky and could be seen from every point on earth. Again, this has nothing to do with the geography of our day. So I don't think our defense of scripture should be based on trying to fit everything in a modern context. We can avoid a lot of unecessary fight with the world by embracing the wisdom of God in allowing the biblical authors to connect with their audience.
Jason |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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We were on Luke chapter 4 this week at church - our pastor goes through books of the Bible (not in order) but through the entire book over however many weeks it takes to piece-by-piece through. One of the powerful things he pointed out - which is also something for us to watch out for - is the fact that, when Satan quoted the Psalms in Luke 4: 4:9 And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 4:10 for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee: 4:11 and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone. He is actually MISQUOTING by omitting a key part of the verse: 91:11 For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Many get turned off by those that say "it is written' because people have misquoted the Bible, either just by error, or to suit themselves, as Satan did. All the more reason to KNOW YOUR BIBLE!!!! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Mike--Thanks for this post. I love it!!! We so need to be continually immersed in the Word! I am always gripped by this account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. How hard must it have been for Him? The enemy offered Him nothing that wasn't already His. Rather, the offer was the chance to step off the path that the Father had placed Him on, the path that led to the cross. I believe Jesus knew this already at this stage in His life. But He could not fulfill the purpose for which He came if He ran ahead of the Father's plan. And in choosing to remain obedient, He chose to NOT play His divinity card, ever. "...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped..." (Phil 2:6) I believe we miss a lot of the significance of Jesus' earthly walk if we miss the fact that He chose to live as a Spirit filled MAN. (Yes, He was God in the flesh, but how did He function?) So how did this perfect, Spirit filled and Spirit led man deal with the opportunity to turbo past suffering and seize what was His? Did He appeal to His prophetic destiny? Did He make His stand based on who He was? No. No doubt the temptation to avoid the cross was real and intense. Yet He confronted the twisted offer with established truth. "It is written..." In other words, "This isn't even an issue. It has been settled. All scripture is God-breathed. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of our God will stand forever. Now, Satan, be gone!" |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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"IT WAS WRITTEN" before the formation of the earth and its inhabitants
(Although if the word of God is really the words of men about God, how sure are we about those promises?).
Mike:
The WORD was written over a forty year period by a lot of different people. In that time span the consistency of the WORD remained. What is the probability of these DIFFERENT people over that time span relaying the same message to us, the same incidents with the same consistency???
THE WORD OF GOD is GOD breathed and inspired. The Holy Spirit was with each and everyone of these people to bring OUR HANDBOOK FOR LIVING to us.
I usually don't get into conversations when it comes to the validity of the Bible and its contents. Who wrote what and why, mistakes, typos, etc because it doesn't matter to me. The revelations of the WORD, the prophesies that have come true, the formula for living with and for my Savior is what's important. As we get closer and closer to the end times, the Bible and it's contents are being substantiated more and more by the scientific world. Cities and people that were said to have never existed are being dug up and validated by archeologists, etc.
IT IS WRITTEN has always been from the beginning of "when GOD made it so" and will be carried out to the end.
Did I get a little carried away(LOL)???
MUCH LOVE
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Hi Jason!
Thanks for your wise words regarding the importance of considering context. I agree with you in principle. Like you, I too choose my words very carefully. I chose to write "prisoner of its original context" to convey the idea that some see scripture as irrelevant, not applicable to today's world. On the contrary! God's word is extremely relevant for today, as for all ages. His word directs my steps! (When I'm paying attention...) His word tells me who he is, who I am, what he expects from me, what he's done for me, what's in store for me, how to get along with my fellow man, etc. So while biblical context must be taken into account whenever we read and study, the words of scripture were most definitely not intended (by God) to be limited in application solely to an ancient audience. God's word is a prisoner of no one and nothing, time and context included.
It might also interest you to know that science vs faith was no where near my mind when writing this! :-) |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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GREAT point GIF!!! It is imperitive that we know scripture so we don't misuse it, as Satan did both in the Garden and with Jesus. Again, great point!
Don, wow that's some wisdom you posted! "It is written..." In other words, "This isn't even an issue. It has been settled. All scripture is God-breathed. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of our God will stand forever. Now, Satan, be gone!" Excellent, I love it!
Mary, I can't think of many topics that are as crucial to the Christian as the dependability of God's word! (So if you're gonna get carried away, this is the topic to do it on...lol.) Great to see such trust of his word in ya, thanks for standing strong! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Yes - science vs. faith is over-hyped. The more fundamental question is how to relate the timeless word of God to our very timely situation that each generation of Christians find themselves in. That always seems to be the crux of the matter. The best way to understand God's word is that is both "timeless" and "timely"
Timeless: Transcends each culture and people. Contains principles that are universal and not contingent on the cultural conventions of any particular people. Love thy neighbor, etc...
Timely: Was communicated to a particular people in a particular time in history. Uses language and examples and cultural conventions of that particular people as a vehicle for the transmission of "timeless" truth and principles.
So the best way to understand scripture is to see through the "timely" cultural packaging to the "timeless" principles inside, and then apply those same principle to our state of affairs today. Not easy, but without doing this, one might think Revelation is talking about tanks, black helicopters, and nuclear weapons! BTW - is that still popular? |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Jason - you're right that there was a particular audience being spoken to at the time of writing, but it IS God's word, so even though it was directed at the Israelites wandering around the desert and falling back into sinful way, for example, it still teaches us what we should or should not do, or better, why the only way to salvation is the sacrifice of Christ. HOWEVER - your point is the very same one that starts many could-be and would-be Christians down a slippery slope to "well, if that wasn't directed to me, then it's not meant for me, and has no value", which leads to doubt of the validity due to the 'audience' question - "Well, what if this was just written to keep the people in line and afraid, and not God's word?" - to "the Bible is just an old book that was written to keep control of the masses, and has changed so many times it's all untrue". Hopefully no one reading here is on that slope, but I think of those (And I was one of those people) that are susceptible to that slope...just keep that in mind, brother! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Good point GrowingInFaith. We should never sacrifice the "timless" character of scripture on account of its "timely" character just as we should never sacrifice the original context in order to force a modern idea onto a passage.
Some theologians have called this an "incarnational" view of Scripture. It is fully of God, yet it is fully written by men. And somehow both of these things are true -- just like the nature of Christ being fully God and fully human. One aspect does not detract from the other, but we must accept both even though it makes no sense! As long we do this, we will avoid the slippery slope. |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Thanks Chafas! Since the words came from the Person, they are his essence, a direct pathway to knowing him!
glovergj (Jason), excellent paragraph starting w/"Good point GrowingInFaith".
Paul, glad to know we can count you among those of us who put our full faith in God's word. Thanks for weighing in! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Mike,
Thanks for that reminder. I accuse my self and so many others of "Bible Worship" that sometimes I fear leaning upon it more than I look to the living God. It is a good point to remember the balance of Spirit and Word, they are equal! Thanks Mike.
Deb |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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| There is reading the Word, and then there is reading the Word...you can just read it, and not take it to heart. Only those that really read it will, will gain anything from it. You can read a book and not take much out of it, but by studying the bible, and putting into action the things you learn from it, that is reading! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Deb, good point. As someone pointed out, the pharisees and teachers of the law were the foremost experts in scriptural studies in their day, but they completely missed what God was doing. Your comment also reminds me of James 1:22, "Do not merely listen to (or read) the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Deb (wearing the wedding dress), your point sounds similar to the other Deb's. Apparently people can worship the Bible (letters and words) instead of the living Word. I try to remember that even though I'm reading the pages of a book, there is a Person behind those words, so I haven't struggled so far with missing God while looking at his words. I'm sure it can happen though!
EV, appears you prefer the experiential word. Thanks for your comment! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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Mike, To tag on to Deb's comment let me offer two words:
Lectio Divina
Try it sometime - in groups it's a great method of reading but also wonderful by yourself.
(another star for you - if I could) |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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| WWJD? Well, he IS the Word of God, and still KNOWS the word of God and uses it as His defense against temptaiton - works for me! |
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| January 22, 2008 |
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| Makes a good case for memorization and meditating on the word I think. Excellent point my friend. |
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| January 23, 2008 |
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Gene, sounds intriguing! When I find the time I just might give it a try.
GIF, Word of God using the word of God.... sounds funny. Kinda like mike (the source of mike's words) using mike's words.... why wouldn't I? Well, makes sense to me too!
Dave, amen on meditation and memorization. I am resolved to work hard on the latter, WITH my children, this year. Beginning shortly. Ask me in a week if we've started yet! |
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| January 25, 2008 |
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| Have you started yet with the memorization. Personally I find that sticking with one translation for memorization helps. Me I like to use either the NKJV, or the NIV. Sometimes I suffer from Translation Schizophrenia |
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| January 25, 2008 |
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HAHAHA!! "Translation Schizophrenia" Now that's funny!
We'll be using the NIV - yes we'll stick with one. No we haven't started yet. I'm going to do it with my children, perhaps Laura will join us too. I'm going to buy index cards and a card box for each participant. We'll write verses out on one side and just the reference on the other (book ch:vs). It'll be fun, can't wait to get started!! (Time isn't on my side right now though, but we'll get there!) |
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| January 25, 2008 |
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"Translation Schizophrenia" - I like that!
No I don't!
Yes, I do!
Oh. . . . . . |
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| January 25, 2008 |
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hahaha..Gene, you're funny.
Bought the index cards tonight. Didn't get card boxes, they didn't have what I was looking for at Walmart, so we got cards w/holes punched, and colored rings to hold em together. Tomorrow we start writing and memorizing! (We all have a few memorized already, so we'll have a head start.) I love doing what I set out to do. Goodness knows I don't do it nearly often enough! |
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| January 26, 2008 |
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| I have like four or 5 translations, and last week I ordered a book from Voices store called God's Armor Bearer. I also oredered a NIV Bible, which was the first one that some one gave me back in the 80's but it got wet. I can't wait for it to come in. The NIV I guess is pretty accurate. But right now I use the New KJV. Boy this gets confusing. NRSV, NASB, NLT, yikes I'm getting dizzy. |
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| January 26, 2008 |
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Jesus used scripture in his hours of greatest need, anguish, or pain.
The Wilderness -- The account begins after Jesus had not eaten for forty days. satan begins with questioning his "christianity". If you are the son (child) of GOD, command these stones to be turned into bread. He was challenging Jesus to prove Himself. But Jesus did not prove Himself. In His weakened, more dead than alive state, Jesus didn't quote a scripture He had memorized for times like these. He just spoke His heart. And His heart was saturated with scriptures. When our hearts and minds are saturated with the Word when squeezed by life situations or bad circumstances what comes out will be what goes in.
A second time the enemy asks Jesus to prove Himself. This time satan used the scriptures and told Jesus to "take a leap of faith". Jesus did not. There would be no short cuts for fulfilling His Father's plan. The devil knew what Jesus was saying. His Father had a plan and a purpose for His life and He was not going to be tempted to rush it. He would trust His Father's timing. Many have rushed into "ministry" unprepared and ill-equipped as they step out in faith but not in GOD's will.
In his final attempt satan surrenders. he admits defeat and offers his kingdom and wealth for one small insignificant act, to bow down and worship him. It was over, the battle had been won, no need for His blood to be offered as a sacrifice for sin. No suffering, no hunger or need. It would have been so easy to "compromise a little". How many christians, how many churches, have bowed down to worldly principles to build the kingdom of GOD? How many have bowed down to the image of "If you are prospering in this life then you are blessed?" Why do we measure that which is eternal with that that is temporary? The idols differ for each of us but we all have or will get the offer. "Compromise a little and enjoy the best of both worlds."
The Garden of Gethsamane -- A night of anguished prayer. With no support from His friends as they slept Jesus struggled in prayer. Jesus would be both sides of the cup spoken of in Isaiah 51. That struggle was not about the physical pain of the Cross but the realization of the nearness of the full impact of what was about to happen, taking on the sin of the world and being seperated from His Father. His death would be unjust, unfair, and without mercy. We each have or will face our own Gethsamane where we decide to "deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Me," or walk away sadly because of our great riches. We do not get to pick our cross, or how we are broken, or where we die to self. Our Lord understands well our struggle.
The Cross -- "My GOD, my GOD, why hast thou forsaken Me?" was not a question. With His dying breath Jesus again quoted scripture. This from Psalm 22 where many centuries earlier David had penned those words in a song. Quite "coincidental" that this psalm contains several other prophesies, no bones broken, side pierced, casting lots for clothing.
The scriptures are not flawed. They are like a giant jigsaw puzzle. And the puzzle is complete. But if I can't figure out where every piece goes or some of the pieces don't make any sense at all then the puzzle is not complete, therefore it is flawed. But what many do not realize is that the scriptures are alive and living and growing like seeds in a field. What does not make sense today may tomorrow. Tomorrow may be thirty-forty years later. In this life no one sees the whole puzzle so there will always be those who say it is flawed.
I simply have to choose who I will believe. I choose to believe Him who never lied, who took this wretched thing called my life and is making it something pure and innocent and holy. I choose to believe Him who has opened my mind and heart to a wonderful love letter not a legal document. The words He writes sound just like those He whispers to my heart as we talk.
Oh Mike, some will call you fanatic if you hold to the antiquated view the the bible is the Word of GOD while they search every new teaching that comes along looking to increase their knowledge and missing the simplicity of the Message.
Others will think you are closed-minded and think that is a bad thing. Our minds are like the homes we live in. Right this moment the windows and doors of my home are closed because it is below freezing outside. Everyone living inside this home is glad I am "close-minded." And Mike, everyone living within the range of your influence will be glad you are "close-minded." as you fight to keep out the cold, uncaring, negative forces out to intimidate, ruin, or limit those you touch.
Actually, the whole scripture is flawed thought is nothing new. Began back in Genesis 3 when the serpent started questioning, misquoting what GOD had said. And there is always someone who will listen and begin to doubt and then to act on that doubt. It always ends the same.
Now, perchance, someone wants to call me out on this, I quit, you win. Years ago I wanted to be a "heavy brother." Have all the answers to every question and know lots of stuff no one else does so I could impress others with how spiritual I am. GOD delivered me from that years ago. There are too many hurting people needing truth for me to take this precious Word and turn it into something cheap like winning points in some meaningless debate.
To the hungry the Word is bread, to those in darkness it is light.
To those in prison it is a key, to the wounded it is healing.
To the lost it is the way, to the poor it is riches.
To the unloved it is love, to the lonely it is a friend.
To the hopeless it gives hope, to the backslider it is a way back.
If we really, really, really understood scriptures they could be summed up with three words, "I love you."
.....peace.....
Oh, and by the way, I have become a heavy brother these days. But this ain't exactly what I meant those many years ago. :)
.....peace.....
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| January 26, 2008 |
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Gordon, what a lovely, inspiring comment -- could (perhaps should be) be a blog unto itself! (I would "star" it for sure!)
Call me a fanatic, call me closed-minded. But I believe the scriptures are the truth. The truth is not hidden somewhere within. Yes, some passages need to be studied carefully, their context examined, to get to the clear meaning of the Author. But overwhelmingly, I believe scripture is plain and literally true. (For instance, when scripture says "day", then a day of avg duration is meant!) Scripture (God's words) just needs to be believed. I've staked my life on it!
FYI - I was actually going to go farther with this blog, examining the Genesis 3 episode and it's implications for today, but I am a fan of easily digestible blogs, so I chose to edit that part out and keep it short. Maybe in a future blog. Thanks for your awesome contribution here Gordon! |
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