The Rutter Scrawl
Is the Bible the Only Scripture
Tuesday - 11/18/08
The following is one of series of posts that are taken from email responses I have given to one of our members who is wrestling with various questions about Jesus, the Bible and faith. One of the questions I often get is about what we believe about the Bible and it's relationship to other "sacred" texts.
Let me start by saying that before you defend the Bible you should be clear about what the Bible claims for itself. The text below is from a document of core beliefs that we are working on that articulates what Eastview Believes about the Bible.
How we know God...
The primary way we can know God is through the words of the Bible. God used human authors, writing in their language and in a way that was particularly relevant to their culture, to create a seamless work that reveals God to people. God inspired the authors of the Bible so that these words, though written by people, are actually the words of God. These words, therefore, communicate reliable truth consistent with the genre in which they are written (2 Pet. 1:21, 2 Tim 3:16). God has worked through history to ensure that this scripture has been preserved and recognized as His words. Therefore, the Bible we have, the 39 books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the 27 books of the first century church (New Testament), are, in fact, the words that God intended us to recognize as His ( John 14:26, 1 Cor. 14:37). These are the only scriptures that are the authoritative words of God to communicate His truth to the world.
The Bible speaks with God's authority, therefore, it is completely without error and provides the ultimate standard by which to know what is true. Because the Bible is our final standard for morality, relationships, justice, mercy, conduct and all truth, anything that clearly contradicts with the words of the Bible is not true (Prov 30:5, Matt 24:35, John 17:17). The Bible clearly articulates this truth in a way that everyone can understand. The Bible is not so complex so that only scholars or pastors can understand it. In fact, anyone who honestly seeks after God's truth will be able to find it in the words of the Bible (Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 19:7). The Bible provides all we need in order to live the life God intends for us (Deut. 29:29).
Regarding other sacred texts, you have to ask which texts they are referring. If they mean the wisdom texts of Buddhists, Hindu’s, Spiritualists, etc. These texts make no claim about their infallibility or divine origin, therefore we accept them as we would the writings of any other man: valuable, but ultimately flawed. There are two other major “sacred” texts that claim both divine origin and infallibility: the Koran and the Book of Mormon. But consider this. The Koran was written by Mohamed over the course of 23 years. The Book of Mormon was, most likely, written by Joseph Smith over the course of 3 years. Now consider that the Bible has no less than 39 authors, written over 1500 years, across three continents and in 3 different languages. However, the bible present a clear and compelling narrative and a consistent theology throughout. It is difficult to imagine such a thing happening by accident.
The big question we have to ask is this. Is the Bible right about Jesus? Is the Bible right about your life? Is the Bible right about who you are and who God wants you to be? Have you found the Bible to be an accurate mirror into your life and needs? Then you must agree that the Bible is right about itself. The Bible claims authority, sufficiency, inerrancy, uniqueness and divinity for itself.
Let me start by saying that before you defend the Bible you should be clear about what the Bible claims for itself. The text below is from a document of core beliefs that we are working on that articulates what Eastview Believes about the Bible.
How we know God...
The primary way we can know God is through the words of the Bible. God used human authors, writing in their language and in a way that was particularly relevant to their culture, to create a seamless work that reveals God to people. God inspired the authors of the Bible so that these words, though written by people, are actually the words of God. These words, therefore, communicate reliable truth consistent with the genre in which they are written (2 Pet. 1:21, 2 Tim 3:16). God has worked through history to ensure that this scripture has been preserved and recognized as His words. Therefore, the Bible we have, the 39 books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the 27 books of the first century church (New Testament), are, in fact, the words that God intended us to recognize as His ( John 14:26, 1 Cor. 14:37). These are the only scriptures that are the authoritative words of God to communicate His truth to the world.
The Bible speaks with God's authority, therefore, it is completely without error and provides the ultimate standard by which to know what is true. Because the Bible is our final standard for morality, relationships, justice, mercy, conduct and all truth, anything that clearly contradicts with the words of the Bible is not true (Prov 30:5, Matt 24:35, John 17:17). The Bible clearly articulates this truth in a way that everyone can understand. The Bible is not so complex so that only scholars or pastors can understand it. In fact, anyone who honestly seeks after God's truth will be able to find it in the words of the Bible (Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 19:7). The Bible provides all we need in order to live the life God intends for us (Deut. 29:29).
Regarding other sacred texts, you have to ask which texts they are referring. If they mean the wisdom texts of Buddhists, Hindu’s, Spiritualists, etc. These texts make no claim about their infallibility or divine origin, therefore we accept them as we would the writings of any other man: valuable, but ultimately flawed. There are two other major “sacred” texts that claim both divine origin and infallibility: the Koran and the Book of Mormon. But consider this. The Koran was written by Mohamed over the course of 23 years. The Book of Mormon was, most likely, written by Joseph Smith over the course of 3 years. Now consider that the Bible has no less than 39 authors, written over 1500 years, across three continents and in 3 different languages. However, the bible present a clear and compelling narrative and a consistent theology throughout. It is difficult to imagine such a thing happening by accident.
The big question we have to ask is this. Is the Bible right about Jesus? Is the Bible right about your life? Is the Bible right about who you are and who God wants you to be? Have you found the Bible to be an accurate mirror into your life and needs? Then you must agree that the Bible is right about itself. The Bible claims authority, sufficiency, inerrancy, uniqueness and divinity for itself.
The Rutter Scrawl
Imagine: Toys
Sunday - 11/16/08
What a huge weekend this week. We wrapped the Ten Commandment series, "TheX." We say a number of people respond to the invitation to live the life God intends for us and we had 13 people baptized in both hours.
We also started Imagine this week. You brought over 2,500 toys this weekend. I wanted to repeat the challenge that I gave you regarding Distribution day (Sat, Dec. 13). Please check out the Imagine pages on www.eastviewchurch.net and sign up to volunteer.
Over the next few days I'm going to be posting some responses that I've given to emails from Eastviewers who are struggling with Jesus, the Bible and faith. We'll be dealing with questions like how we trust the Bible, how to read the OT, what is Paul talking about in I Cor, etc. I hope the answers are helpful for you as well.
The Rutter Scrawl
Imagine :: Toys
Friday - 11/14/08
Remember, this weekend is the first weekend of our Imagine effort this year. This Sunday (11/16) please bring in a few toys. ($20 limit) We anticipate the need this year will be much bigger than last so we need every Eastview family to participate! Bring your toys to the Atrium before or after service Sunday.
See you there!
See you there!
The Rutter Scrawl
TheX :: The Final Week!
Thursday - 11/13/08
The Rutter Scrawl
I finally own my name
Wednesday - 11/12/08
I decided to treat myself and buy my own little piece of real estate here on the interwebs. So the new address for this blog is www.dougrutter.org. For those of you who have favorites saved or get the blog through a feed reader or email, you don't have to change anything. And you can still get here through the old blogspot address. I just thought it would be fun to own my own place on the web.
The Rutter Scrawl
Imagine 2009
Wednesday - 11/05/08
Please sign up to be a part of Imagine 2009 Distribution Day. I take it a a matter of faith that every Eastview family is already planning to bring in tons of food, coats and toys, but we need hundreds more to take the next step to get that stuff into the hands of the people who need it.
Distribution day is an awesome thing. Everything happens at the church so you don't have to go door to door. You get to see the faces of the people who our generosity helps. You get to be the church that God intends for us to be.
So, right now, go here. Check out what jobs are available and sign up. Everyone who participated last year talked about how much of a blessing it was to be there. See you December 13th.
The Rutter Scrawl
Imagine 2009
Wednesday - 11/05/08
Please sign up to be a part of Imagine 2009 Distribution Day. I take it a a matter of faith that every Eastview family is already planning to bring in tons of food, coats and toys, but we need hundreds more to take the next step to get that stuff into the hands of the people who need it.
Distribution day is an awesome thing. Everything happens at the church so you don't have to go door to door. You get to see the faces of the people who our generosity helps. You get to be the church that God intends for us to be.
So, right now, go here. Check out what jobs are available and sign up. Everyone who participated last year talked about how much of a blessing it was to be there. See you December 13th.
The Rutter Scrawl
Barack Obama, POTUS
Tuesday - 11/04/08
Tonight Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. Like most people who are serious about protecting the lives of the unborn, I was not an Obama supporter. But just after 10PM here, as CNN officially declared what the Ohio result had hinted at, I had an odd smile on my face.
Koke called me from his Grandpa's house to "tell me the news." He was very invested in John McCain. (He actually dressed as Senator McCain for Halloween.) So naturally, he was very disappointed.
I told him two things...1.) It's remarkable that a man who looks like he looks and has the name that sounds like his sounds could become the leader of a country that just two generations ago made people use separate restrooms based on race. Given where we were, I think it's remarkable that our generation is more involved in the political system (not apathetic like the in the 80s & 90s or rebelling against it like the 60 & 70s). But young people, for the first time, actually voted for what they though was best for the country.
2.) God is in control. Barack Obama will be the president only because God wants it that way. Often we don't understand what God is working in the world, but we are confident that he is. So I prayed for our next president.
The Rutter Scrawl
Barack Obama, POTUS
Tuesday - 11/04/08
Tonight Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. Like most people who are serious about protecting the lives of the unborn, I was not an Obama supporter. But just after 10PM here, as CNN officially declared what the Ohio result had hinted at, I had an odd smile on my face.
Koke called me from his Grandpa's house to "tell me the news." He was very invested in John McCain. (He actually dressed as Senator McCain for Halloween.) So naturally, he was very disappointed.
I told him two things...1.) It's remarkable that a man who looks like he looks and has the name that sounds like his sounds could become the leader of a country that just two generations ago made people use separate restrooms based on race. Given where we were, I think it's remarkable that our generation is more involved in the political system (not apathetic like the in the 80s & 90s or rebelling against it like the 60 & 70s). But young people, for the first time, actually voted for what they though was best for the country.
2.) God is in control. Barack Obama will be the president only because God wants it that way. Often we don't understand what God is working in the world, but we are confident that he is. So I prayed for our next president.
The Rutter Scrawl
At Peace
Monday - 11/03/08
We are all here. Toni and I had gone back to the hotel to get some sleep. At 2:50 we get a call from one of Toni's sisters, "Mom is gone."
We all gather back in the room. We sit together. The raspy, labored breaths are still now. Jim prays with all of us gathered around.
We speak of Joyce being healed of her cancer and at home with the Lord. We speak of Joyce having her first aloud conversation with her deaf parents. We speak of Toni's unborn twin that Joyce is meting for the first time. We speak of the mis-carried grand kids she is spoiling.
More hugs. More tears. We make plans for tomorrow and we head back to bed, we need the rest. I am relieved to know that Joyce's rest will be much sweeter than ours.
See you soon, Joyce.
We all gather back in the room. We sit together. The raspy, labored breaths are still now. Jim prays with all of us gathered around.
We speak of Joyce being healed of her cancer and at home with the Lord. We speak of Joyce having her first aloud conversation with her deaf parents. We speak of Toni's unborn twin that Joyce is meting for the first time. We speak of the mis-carried grand kids she is spoiling.
More hugs. More tears. We make plans for tomorrow and we head back to bed, we need the rest. I am relieved to know that Joyce's rest will be much sweeter than ours.
See you soon, Joyce.
The Rutter Scrawl
At Peace
Monday - 11/03/08
We are all here. Toni and I had gone back to the hotel to get some sleep. At 2:50 we get a call from one of Toni's sisters, "Mom is gone."
We all gather back in the room. We sit together. The raspy, labored breaths are still now. Jim prays with all of us gathered around.
We speak of Joyce being healed of her cancer and at home with the Lord. We speak of Joyce having her first aloud conversation with her deaf parents. We speak of Toni's unborn twin that Joyce is meting for the first time. We speak of the mis-carried grand kids she is spoiling.
More hugs. More tears. We make plans for tomorrow and we head back to bed, we need the rest. I am relieved to know that Joyce's rest will be much sweeter than ours.
See you soon, Joyce.
We all gather back in the room. We sit together. The raspy, labored breaths are still now. Jim prays with all of us gathered around.
We speak of Joyce being healed of her cancer and at home with the Lord. We speak of Joyce having her first aloud conversation with her deaf parents. We speak of Toni's unborn twin that Joyce is meting for the first time. We speak of the mis-carried grand kids she is spoiling.
More hugs. More tears. We make plans for tomorrow and we head back to bed, we need the rest. I am relieved to know that Joyce's rest will be much sweeter than ours.
See you soon, Joyce.
The Rutter Scrawl
Memories of Joyce
Sunday - 11/02/08
Many of you know my in-laws Jim & Joyce Smiley. Yesterday, Jim asked me to preach her funeral. I was gathering my thoughts and memories of Joyce's life and I wondered if any of you would like to share.
If you have a story or memory or thought about Joyce's life, please leave a comment. I'd love to tell a couple of your stories.
If you have a story or memory or thought about Joyce's life, please leave a comment. I'd love to tell a couple of your stories.
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