What is Your Attitude towards the Bible

In this discussion, I want to look at what the bible teaches about the bible. The bible is the
source of all Christian theology. It is important as Christians that we know what our
authority is when it comes to our belief so that we can earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints. Can we answer the question; why do we
believe what we believe? Our eternal destiny depends on the truth.

Points
1. Jesus is the object of faith in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
2. Those that do not believe on the name of the Son of God are condemned.
3. An orthodox view of the bible when it comes to biblical interpretation is the view
that every word of God is pure and is our protection against deception as
Christians.

John And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man
3:14 be lifted up:
John That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
3:15
John For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
3:16 believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
3:17 through him might be saved.
John He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
3:18 condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.

The holy scriptures tell us without a doubt how to get eternal life:
John And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
17:3 Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Before we start looking at some of the different attitudes towards the bible, let’s start by
looking at definitions of some of the terms used in the bible.

A. Terminology
There are four major terms that I want to define in this study.
1. Bible
book: 975
βιβλίον Biblion (bib-lee'-on);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Neuter, Strong #: 975
 1. a small book, a scroll, a written document
2. a sheet on which something has been written
a. a bill of divorcement
KJV Word Usage and Count
book 29
bill 1
scroll 1
writing 1

The word biblion is used for books or writings in general not just sacred books. In Luke
4:17 we see the book of the prophet Isaiah called a bible or a biblion.
Luke And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he
4:17 had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luke The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the
4:18 gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty
them that are bruised,
Luke To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
4:19

The Greek word “Biblion” is used for the word book. The book of Isaiah is called a bible
in the bible, but it’s also called scripture. Jesus follows up by calling the book of Isaiah
scripture.
Luke And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And
4:20 the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luke And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
4:21

2. Scripture
scriptures: 1124
γραφή Graphe (graf-ay'); Noun Feminine, Strong #: 1124

1. a writing, thing written

2. the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents
3. a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture
KJV Word Usage and Count
scripture 51

The word scripture refers to the sacred and holy writings in the bible. The word scripture
is not just referring to writings in general, but the sacred word of God in writing. The
word scripture is used by Romans 3:2 and II Timothy 3:16 when referring to the Old
Testament and II Peter 3:16 when referring to Paul’s writings.
II Timothy But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured
3:14 of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
II Timothy And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
3:15 to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
3:16 for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Timothy That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
3:17 works.

Salvation comes through faith in Christ Jesus, and the holy scriptures in the Old
Testament testify to that. As a matter of fact, every time the New Testament refers to the
Law, or the prophets, or any Old Testament scriptures, there is an emphasis put on the
fact that Jesus is the object of faith in all the scriptures.
Luke Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
24:25 have spoken:
Luke Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
24:26
Luke And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the
24:27 scriptures the things concerning himself.
Bible prophecy authenticates the sovereignty of God.
John Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
5:39 testify of me.
Bible prophecy equips humanity for the days in which they live.
Acts To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in
10:43 him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
10:44 word.
Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Acts And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples
18:27 to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through
grace:
Acts For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that
18:28 Jesus was Christ.
Bible prophecy saves souls.
I Corinthians For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ
15:3 died for our sins according to the scriptures;
I Corinthians And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
15:4 scriptures:
I Corinthians And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
15:5
I Corinthians After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the
15:6 greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The Old Testament scriptures testify of Jesus, and that is the point being made throughout
the bible. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. But there are some who want to take these
scriptures to try discredit the New Testament from being called scripture. Satan wants to
take away the focus that Jesus is the object of faith in the Old Testament, and put the
emphasis on the New Testament not being called scripture in the New Testament.

Here is a point that many people want to use when they want to discredit the New
Testament, or say that the New Testament is not scripture: they point to the fact that II
Timothy 3:16 is referring only to the Old Testament because not all of the New
Testament was finished at the time this verse was written, and not any of the New
Testament was written when Timothy was a child. But the text does say that ALL
SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God so we can’t ignore the fact that II Peter 3:16
calls all of Paul’s writings scripture.
II Peter And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved
3:15 brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto
you;
II Peter As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some
3:16 things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Also, in the New Testament, Saint John the beloved Apostle was told to write by God
Himself. Since man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of
the mouth of God, let’s read these God breathed, God inspired words in Revelation 1:10-
11:
Revelation I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of
1:10 a trumpet,
Revelation Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest,
1:11 write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto
Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto
Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Even though the book of Revelation was not yet written when II Timothy 3:16 stated that
all scripture is given by inspiration of God, The word scripture refers to the sacred and
holy writings in the bible which was inspired by God, and completed with the book of
Revelation. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the written Word of God, are now
contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are the sixty-six book of
the bible.

The Holy Scriptures

• Given by inspiration of God
2 Timothy 3:16
• Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:16; Hebrews 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21
• Testify of Jesus
Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 10:43; Acts 18:28; I Corinthians 15:3-4
• Christ sanctioned the Holy Scriptures by appealing to them in the Word of God
Matthew 4:4; Mark 12:10; John 7:42

3. The Word of God

 word: 3056
λόγος Logos (log'-os);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Masculine, Strong #: 3056

1. of speech
a. a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea
b. what someone has said
1. a word
2. the sayings of God
3. decree, mandate or order
4. of the moral precepts given by God
5. Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets
6. what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying,
a dictum, a maxim
c. discourse
1. the act of speaking, speech
2. the faculty of speech, skill and practice in speaking
3. a kind or style of speaking
4. a continuous speaking discourse - instruction
d. doctrine, teaching
e. anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative
f. matter under discussion, thing spoken of, affair, a matter in dispute, case,
suit at law
g. the thing spoken of or talked about; event, deed
2. its use as respect to the MIND alone
a. reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating
b. account, i.e. regard, consideration
c. account, i.e. reckoning, score
d. account, i.e. answer or explanation in reference to judgment
e. relation, i.e. with whom as judge we stand in relation
1. reason would
f. reason, cause, ground
3. In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and
power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe,
the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement
of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the
second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and
deeds.
A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around600 B.C. to
designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates achanging universe. This word was
well suited to John's purpose inJohn 1.
KJV Word Usage and Count
word 218
saying 50
account 8
speech 8
Word (Christ) 7
thing 5
not translated 2
miscellaneous 32

God: 2316
θεός Theos (theh'-os);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Masculine, Strong #: 2316

"Logos" is the Greek word for "Word". It is used in the New Testament to refer to Christ
as God's word personified.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made.

The term ‘the word of God’ is used of both the Old and New Testament in written form.
The term ‘the word of God’ in John 10:35 is used of the Old Testament as a whole. Also
the term ‘the word of God’ is used in Hebrews 4:12 of all scripture, both Old and New
Testaments.

Hebrews For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
4:12 sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The written Word of God is called:

• BOOK
Psalms 40:7; Revelation 22:19
• BOOK OF THE LORD
Isaiah 34:16
• BOOK OF THE LAW
Nehemiah 8:3; Galatians 3:10
• GOOD WORD OF GOD
Hebrews 6:5
• HOLY SCRIPTURES
Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15
• LAW OF THE LORD
Psalms 1:2; Isaiah 30:9
• ORACLES OF GOD
Romans 3:2; 1 Peter 4:11
• SCRIPTURES
1 Corinthians 15:3
 • SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH
Daniel 10:21
• SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 6:17
• THE WORD
James 1:21-23; 1 Peter 2:2
• WORD OF GOD
Luke 11:28; Hebrews 4:12
• WORD OF CHRIST
Colossians 3:16
• WORD OF LIFE
Philippians 2:16
• WORD OF TRUTH
2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18

The word of God sanctifies those who read it.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
God’s word is truth in both the Old and New Testament.

4. Testament
testament: 1242
διαθήκη Diatheke (dee-ath-ay'-kay);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong #: 1242

1. a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last
disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament
or will
2. a compact, a covenant, a testament
a. God's covenant with Noah, etc.

A testament is a covenant between God and the human race.

B. Attitudes toward the Bible

Let’s look at some of the different attitudes towards the bible and biblical interpretation
that you may encounter when speaking to people about the bible. There are six major
categories when it comes to attitudes towards the bible.

1. Rationalism – The first attitude towards the bible when it comes to biblical
interpretation is called rationalism. Rationalism believes that the mind is supreme.
Rationalism denies any divine revelation.

ra·tio·nal·ism
Pronunciation: \’rash-nə-,li-zəm, ‘ra-shə-nə-,li-\
Function: noun
1 : reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth
2 a : a theory that reason is in itself a source of knowledge superior to and independent of
sense perceptions b : a view that reason and experience rather than the nonrational are the
fundamental criteria in the solution of problems.

Extreme rationalism – Extreme rationalism does not allow for any divine revelation,
divine intervention, or miracles. (Atheism, agnosticism, deism)
Moderate rationalism – Moderate rationalism allows for the possibility for divine
revelation, but the human mind is the final judge and interpreter of revelation. (Different
types of Humanism)

Colossians Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
2:8 tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Once a great deception comes along and deceives the masses, those that rely on
rationalism or a reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth will
turn from the word of God and have their faith overthrown by the signs and wonders that
they can see and rationalize with their own eyes.
John Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are
20:29 they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

When we witness to atheist, one common response we get is, “Prove it! Prove there is a
God and I’ll believe when I see proof.” Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. Our faith in Jesus and our belief in the bible is our protection
against deception:
II Thessalonians Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
2:3 there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;
II Thessalonians Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
2:4 worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that
he is God.

Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands
condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God. The day is coming to where we will see the manifestation of the condemnation of
those who do not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Revelation And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in
13:8 the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation If any man have an ear, let him hear.
13:9

2. Mysticism – The second attitude towards the bible when it comes to biblical
interpretation is called mysticism. Mysticism is the belief that experience is supreme.
Mystics believe in the direct experience of the oneness of all things.

mys·ti·cism
Pronunciation: \’mis-tə-,si-zəm\
Function: noun
1 : the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be
attained through subjective experience (as intuition or insight)
2 a : vague speculation : a belief without sound basis b : a theory postulating the
possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of ineffable knowledge or power

When it comes to mysticism in Christian experience, there is a false mysticism and a true
mysticism.

False mysticism – False mysticism is the belief that the word of God is not complete.
False mysticism has to hold to added truth. For example: Pantheism, false prophets,
soothsayers, and those that channeling spirits for information. Also, there are many false
teachers that get their commentary of the Old Testament from the kabbalah which is the
highest form of Jewish Mysticism. Plus there is an endless amount of esoteric teachings
that promise to enlighten those who are carried about with every wind of doctrine.

II Timothy For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden
3:6 with sins, led away with divers lusts,
II Timothy Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
3:7

The false doctrine that says that you do not have the Holy Spirit unless you show
evidence by speaking in tongues, is a doctrine that places experience above the word of
God.

Quote:
If one's experience does not agree with the Bible, the experience is wrong, not the Bible.
Experience is not the principle; the Bible is. And doctrine is not settled by one's
experience but by what the Bible has to say.
The Tongues Confusion
by Dr. Curtis Hutson

There are many modern day books that are trying to merge mysticism into Christianity
such as the book “The Secret” which teaches that through the law of attraction, you can
speak, or even think everything you’ve ever wanted into existence. This book teaches that
you can sculpt your own life through your own thoughts, and denies the sovereignty of
the great and powerful God who created the universe. This book gives the credit to ones
fate to the “law of attraction” rather than to God. Yet this satanic doctrine is being taught
in churches.

Books like “The Secret” seem to places an emphasis on the power and importance of
faith, while using a subtle satanic deception to switch the object of your faith from the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to this universal force called the “law of
attraction”.
True mysticism – True mysticism is the illumination that we receive through the Holy
Spirit. True mysticism believes that every word of God is pure and does not add to or
take away from the word of God, but believes that the invisible Spirit of God dwells with
those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

John And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
14:16 abide with you for ever;
John Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,
14:17 neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you.

The word of God sanctifies us, that why we study to show thyself approved unto God.
The Holy Spirit will teach us all things, and bring to our remembrance the word of God.
John But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
14:26 name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth:

John Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
16:13 for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will show you things to come.
John He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
16:14

The Holy Spirit within us should display the power of God.

I Corinthians And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom,
2:4 but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
I Corinthians That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2:5

True mysticism does not hold to added truth, only the truth in the word of God.
Jude Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it
1:3 was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
We are not looking for truth beyond the bible; we’re looking for illumination of the
scriptures by the Holy Spirit concerning the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints. And again, Jesus is the object of that faith in both the Old and the New Testament.

The idea is not being taught that the Holy Spirit prevents non-believers from
understanding the Bible, until they are illuminated; on the contrary, faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Once a person has faith, the Spirit of truth
prevents believers from being drawn into the doctrines of demons.
I Timothy Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
4:1 from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
I Timothy Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
4:2
I Timothy Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath
4:3 created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
truth.

If one makes scripture his final authority, then he is protected from those who place
traditions of men, dreams and visions of false prophets, or any false doctrine that makes
the commandment of God of none effect by their traditions ahead of the word of God.

This is also important to note because there is supernatural protection for those that
believe that Jesus is the only begotten son of God and believes in him.
Matthew For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great
24:24 signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the
very elect.

Thank God that it is not going to be possible because he that believes in Christ Jesus is
not condemned.

Those who deny the indwelling of the Holy Spirit teach that Christians who teach that the
Spirit of truth will teach us all things, also teach the idea that the Holy Spirit prevents
non-believers from understanding the Bible, until they are illuminated. This is false
because the Holy Scriptures gives promises to anyone who reads and hears scripture.
Proverbs The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
1:1
Proverbs To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
1:2
Proverbs To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
1:3
Proverbs To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
1:4
Proverbs A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding
1:5 shall attain unto wise counsels:
Proverbs To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and
1:6 their dark sayings.
For instance; there are seven promises to anyone who reads Proverbs:

1. To know wisdom and instruction;

2. To perceive the words of understanding;
3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4. To give subtilty to the simple,
5. To the young man knowledge and discretion.
6. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
7. And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb,
and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
 And the promise to anyone who trust the word of God:
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in
him.

And the promise to anyone who reads the book of Revelation:

Revelation Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and
1:3 keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

There is also condemnation for those who distort the word of God:
Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this
22:18 book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the
plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
22:19 prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So just to make it clear, by teaching that the Spirit of truth will teach us all things, I’m not
teaching that the Spirit of truth will prevent someone who does not yet believe from
reading and understanding the bible.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So we spoke about rationalism which is a reliance on reason as the basis for

establishment of religious truth and does not allow for any divine revelation, divine
intervention, or miracles.

So to sum up false mysticism, it is the belief that the word of God is not complete, but
believes that the bible has to hold to added truth attained through subjective experience.
And true mysticism believes every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God and takes the
orthodox view that the bible is the infallible word of God, and does not add to or takes away
from the word of God, but believes that the invisible Spirit of God dwells with those who believe
that Jesus is the Son of God.

3. Romanism – The third attitude towards the bible when it comes to biblical
interpretation is called Romanism. Romanism is the belief that the church is supreme.
Romanism teaches that the church can be the bible’s only interpreter. The view in
Romanism is that the scriptures are not complete, but by means of apostolic succession,
the Pope has final authority on the meaning of scripture.

Luke And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company
11:27 lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the
paps which thou hast sucked.
Luke But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep
11:28 it.

4. Neo-Orthodox – The forth attitude towards the bible when it comes to biblical
interpretation is called Neo-Orthodox which teaches that encounter is supreme. Those
who hold the neo-orthodox view teach that the bible is not the word of God, but contains
the word of God. A divine encounter has to be had in order to figure out which parts is
the word of God and which parts are not inspired making truth a mystical experience,
rather than a concrete fact. Neo-orthodoxy would make a distinction between the “word
of God” and the “revealed Word of God,” calling the Word of God (Bible) the “letter”
and the revealed word of God the “Spirit-word.” Note: Their encounters aren’t consistent
with one another.

Quote from gotquestions.org:

Neo-orthodoxy further teaches that Scripture is not the only form of revelation, but that
revelation can be directly obtained from God, for God is still speaking / revealing at
present. This explains the phenomenon known as the “prophetic ministry” which has
become the norm in some charismatic churches.

If the church has come to a point where it believes that truth is relative to the
interpretation of each individual or minister and that God is still declaring new revelation,
then it is sure to lose the truth.
http://www.gotquestions.org/neoorthodoxy.html

5. Cults – Cults teach that the bible plus something else is supreme. Cults teach that the
bible is incomplete. The bible plus the writing of the founder of the cult have equal
authority. The bible is interoperated by the other writing. For example, Mormons put the
book of Mormon on equal authority with the bible.

1. So we spoke about rationalism which is a reliance on reason as the basis for

establishment of religious truth and does not allow for any divine revelation, divine
intervention, or miracles.

2. Then we spoke about false mysticism which is the belief that the word of God is not
complete, but believes that the bible has to hold to added truth attained through subjective
experience.

3. Then we spoke on Romanism which teaches that the church can be the bible’s only
interpreter. The view in Romanism is that the scriptures are not complete, but by means
of apostolic succession, the Pope has final authority on the meaning of scripture.

4. Those who hold the neo-orthodox view teach that the bible is not the word of God, but
contains the word of God. A divine encounter has to be had in order to figure out which
parts is the word of God.
5. Cults teach that the bible plus something else is supreme. Cults teach that the bible is
incomplete. The bible plus the writing of the founder of the cult have equal authority.

6. Orthodox (The only valid attitude) – The orthodox view of the bible is that the bible
alone is supreme. The bible is the infallible word of God. The bible is the only and final
authority in both faith and practice.

If something contradicts the bible, then the bible is the supreme authority. Rationalism is
subject to the bible. Experience is subject to the bible. There is not a church leader,
church creed, or counsel that is supreme. Every word of God is pure in both the Old and
the New Testament. There is no church creed that is "functionally equivalent" to scripture
and there is no book written by man that has equal authority with the bible. There are no
added prophecies or encounters that contradict the bible that over rule the bible.

There is an absolute truth, and that is the bible. If there is no absolute truth, many well
meaning people will do what is right in their own eyes.
Judges In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was
17:6 right in his own eyes.

If Christians depart from the word of God as being the absolute truth, then what is our
authority on doctrine? And what are the consequences for not believing the word of God?
It’s not uncommon today for people to believe that two diametrically opposed religions
could both be equally “true,” even though both religions claim to have the only way to
heaven or teach two totally opposite “truths.” People who do not believe in absolute truth
ignore these claims and embrace a more tolerant universalism that teaches all religions
are equal and all roads lead to heaven, which is ironically teaching that the only absolute
truth is that John 14:6 is a lie.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.

Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of truth and the ONLY way to have eternal life with
the Father. It’s the thief that wants to hide that absolute truth.
John I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and
10:9 find pasture.
John The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
10:10 might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
10:11

The sixty-six books of the bible is the testimony that God gave of his Son so that we will
know how to have eternal life.
I John If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the
5:9 witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
I John He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth
5:10 not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave
of his Son.
I John And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his
5:11 Son.
I John He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
5:12
I John These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
5:13 that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name
of the Son of God.

Closing Verse
Jude Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
1:24 before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power,
1:25 both now and for ever. Amen.