IS SCRIPTURE TRULY ‘GOD-BREATHED?’

BY ANDREW PALAU

The authority of Scripture is one of the oldest and most discussed questions of humankind. It is also one of the most important for us to consider today.

When I hear people who profess to be Christians questioning whether the Bible is God's Word, I can't help but wonder if Christians today worship too small a God. After all, if God is God, then couldn't He write a Book that is without error? Of course He could, and He did!

The Bible clearly states, "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). John R.W. Stott explains the importance of this declaration for us this way: "The meaning then is not that God breathed into the writings to give them their special character, but that what was written by men was breathed by God. He spoke through them. These were his spokesmen."

The very words of Scripture are inspired by God. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). He guarantees even the most minute parts of it!

The early church fathers also asserted the authority of the Bible. Augustine declared, "Let us therefore yield ourselves and bow to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, which can neither err nor deceive."

If God couldn't write a book that is perfect, then why should you or I trust such a God with our salvation? I am not saying that belief in the inspiration of Scripture is necessary for salvation, but I am saying that to experience full authority and power and fellowship with God in our Christian walk, we must accept the Bible as God's Word.

Belief in the full authority of Scripture is vital to living an authentic and victorious Christian life. Only through such faith can we experience the joy of being God's children.