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What is Loyalty to the Word? |
By Kevin Schaal
One of the core values of the FBFI is stated as "Loyalty to
God and His Word." But what does loyalty to the Bible really mean? In our day,
misunderstandings abound concerning the nature of Scripture itself and the
nature of true loyalty to it. We believe it is appropriate for us to clarify
what we mean by "loyalty to God and His Word."
Loyalty to the Word
means that we must believe everything that the Bible claims about itself. What
does it claim?
The Bible claims that it is God's own God-breathed book (2 Tim.
3:16). It is inspired-the
very breath of God. It is verbally inspired-not just in thought or ideas, but
the very words are given by God, even to the forms of the words, such as the
distinctions of singulars and plurals (Gal. 3:16). It is plenarily inspired in
that the whole of the Bible is God's Book.
Everything clearly recognized as part of the canon of Scripture
is God's Book. It is inspired in its original writings. Prophets spoke the Word,
but they also wrote it. The New Testament term "Scriptures" or "writings"
clearly identifies the Word of God with the writings of the prophets.
Because it is inspired, it is also inerrant. We cannot
separate the source of the Book from the nature of the Book. If the source of
the Book is God, and He is perfect, then the book must also be perfect. God is
not a man, who gets concepts right but fudges on the details. God is not a man
who would consider any detail unimportant. He knows all things, remembers all
things, communicates perfectly, and speaks only truth (John 17:17).
The Word of God is authoritative, rebuking, ruling, and
guiding believers in all matters of faith and practice. The Word of God is
profitable. By that we mean its truths are timely and not only are useful, but
authoritative in all generations, regardless of time, space or culture.
Loyalty to the Word means we must not claim more for the
Bible than it claims for itself. If believers in Heaven can be grieved over
what happens on earth, Mary-the earthly mother of our Lord-might be the most
grieved of all. She would be grieved at worship offered her that should rightly
belong to her beloved Son. She would be grieved at the prominence given her
that should rightly belong to Another. We do no person or document any favors
by ascribing to it more than it claims for itself. Therefore, we must not claim
a position for the Bible that it does not claim for itself. To do so would show
a disloyalty to God and the wonderful Book He has given us.
While the Bible is everything mentioned above, it is not and
never was intended to be an object of worship. The Bible is from God, it takes
us to God, but it is not God. We wholeheartedly agree with the words of the
hymn writer who said,
Beyond the sacred page, I seek Thee, Lord,
My Spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Show me the truth concealed within the Word,
And in thy book revealed, I see Thee, Lord.[1]
The Bible testifies to the fact of its own preservation but
makes no particular statement about the method of its preservation. The Bible
claims that its contents will not be lost but makes no claim concerning the
transcription of Scripture itself. It gives no guidelines for transcription. There
are no Scriptural promises concerning any future method of approval that would
eliminate all questions concerning variations between copies. Opinions will
vary on how God chooses to preserve His Word. In our zeal to defend or promote
a particular text or translation, we must remember that we do not have a right
to raise our opinion to the level of Bible doctrine.
The practice of translation is clearly intended in
Scripture. The idea that the Word of God should be in the generally spoken
language of the people is affirmed by Christ's quoting from a Greek translation
of the Old Testament. The inspiration and inscription of the New Testament in koine (common) Greek rather than
classical Greek, Hebrew, or another language clearly indicates God's intent to
put the Scriptures within the reach and understanding of the most possible people.
We believe and commend the practice of the translation of Scripture into as
many world languages as possible as a noble and Biblical part of the Great
Commission.
However, the Bible itself makes no claim and gives no
specific instructions concerning the method of translation or the nature of
future translations. The Bible makes no claim concerning the transfer of the
gift of inspiration to future translators. If it had done so, we should believe
it. But it did not make such a claim. For us to claim inspiration for
translators would be error and could be categorized as a violation of
Revelation 22:18, 19, changing
the words of the Book as given under divine inspiration and bringing with it
the accompanying Scriptural condemnations.
Loyalty to the Word means that we must honestly examine the
Word to find the exact message God intended to communicate within its pages. Proper
interpretation of Scripture must be consistent with its original context. It
cannot mean what it never meant. We must understand and follow reasonable,
Bible-based rules for interpretation. This will help us to be as impartial in
our reading and application of Scripture as possible. Our selfish human nature
tempts us to wrest the Scripture and make it say what we want it to say. We
must guard against this. We are not the masters of the text; it must master us.
The reading of the text of Scripture is not just an
intellectual exercise. The Holy Spirit enlightens individual believers so that
they might understand the truth of the Word and make appropriate applications in
life and practice. But that understanding is not contrary to the plain teaching
of the Word. Original language study is tremendously helpful in understanding
the original intent of the writers of Scripture, and information about the
original languages of Scripture is available today in a way that is
unprecedented. Believers today have more access to the Word of God than any
believer has ever had at any time in human history. But understanding does not
come without effort. Laboring in the Word, especially for the preacher and
teacher, is essential. In fact, it is a divine expectation (1 Tim. 5:17, 18).
Loyalty to God and His Word means that we must handle the
Bible honestly. We cannot use the Word for our own purposes. Using the Word as
a tool to justify our selfish behavior or to manipulate others is a grievous sin
against God. New Testament church leaders must not do it and have an obligation
to point out and condemn those who do.
Loyalty to God and His Word means that we must communicate
it clearly. We cannot afford, through laziness or expediency, to produce an
uncertain sound in the proclamation of His Word. We must preach the Word. We
preach the whole counsel of God, and we must preach it in an understandable
way.
Loyalty to God and His Word means that we must defend it
from attack. The Bible has come under attack through so-called science, liberal
theology, mocking unbelief, and the pressures of a society given to deviance. We
have an obligation to proclaim it and defend it in the public arena. We cannot
stand silent while the message of God is maligned. Contending for the faith
necessitates contending for the Word.
As Baptists, we also believe that loyalty to the Word means
loyalty to it as our sole authority. While doctrinal statements, confessions,
and creeds are helpful in clarifying and defining what we believe, our only
authority for faith and practice is the Bible itself. All churches as
institutions, confessions, creeds, traditions, and practices must be subject to
it.
Loyalty to the Word means that we obey it as our rule of
life. We believe that we must live out the principles of Scripture every day. It
is hypocrisy of the highest order to claim loyalty to the Word with our mouths
while denying it in our daily actions. We understand that Fundamentalists will
disagree on some applications of Biblical principles concerning personal
holiness, but we are united in our commitment to submit ourselves to the
commands of the Word of God in every sphere of life.
Dr. Kevin
Schaal is an FBFI Executive Board Member. He pastors Northwest Valley
Baptist Church
in Tempe, Arizona.
[1] "Break
Thou the Bread of Life" by William F. Sherwin.
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