Questions About the Scriptures

LESSON 5

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Holy Scriptures. The topic for this study is: Questions About the Scriptures. There are several questions that perplex the minds of various classes of people in regard to the Holy Scriptures in Christendom. Some of these questions are asked by genuine children of God while some are asked by infidels who want to attack the infallibility of God's Holy Word. In this lesson, we will be considering some of the popular questions that people ask concerning the Holy Scriptures. It is my prayer that the answers that are provided here will help to settle many of the perplexing questions that people have about the Scriptures, and help to solidify their faith in the Word of God. The various topical questions have been categorised into six sub-sections as follows:

1) Is the Bible really the inspired word of God? What are some of the internal and external evidences that show that the Bible is truly the Word of God?

There are several "holy books" among the various religions of the world that claim to be divinely inspired. Among these religious works that claim divine inspiration is the Holy Bible of the Christian. Interestingly, there are several internal and external evidences that give credence to the divine inspiration of the Holy Bible. For more on these evidences, please request for Lesson 1 of this series on The Holy Scriptures through any of our WhatsApp numbers below. The Lesson 1 of this series has been solely dedicated to answering this particular question.

2) Has the original writings of the Bible been tampered with? If so, how can we trust the words of the Bible as sacred Scripture?

The original writings of the Bible are called autographs. It is clear from various scholarly biblical research that we do not have access to any of the autographs. Moreover, the content of the Bible that we have today were not copied from the autographs. Rather, the content of the Bibles we have today are copies from copies of the autographs. Since the copying of the Scriptures was made through the laborious method of hand copying, errors definitely were introduced into the content of the original manuscripts; for just as we find errors in our usual writing with the typewriter or computer, so copying errors found their way into the Bible.

The errors that were introduced into the Bible can be classified into two main types. The first type has to do with the normal errors of spelling mistakes and unintentional omissions of certain words and phrases. The absence of spaces and punctuation marks in the original manuscripts made it easy for inexperienced transcribers to easily make mistakes. Moreover, certain early manuscripts which were poorly written made it easy for later copyists to pass on words and phrases which were not contained in the original manuscripts. The second type of errors has to do with additions and intentional changes to the content of the Scriptures. For instance, some copyists, in transcribing the Scriptures, wrote their thoughts on various passages at the margins of their writing materials. These marginal notes which were left unexplained were sometimes added to the main content of the Scriptures by later copyists. Besides these marginal additions, some copyists also tried to rephrase certain passages so as to make some doctrines of Scripture come out clearly. Unfortunately, some of these intentional changes rather obscured the clear meaning of those passages of Scripture.

Friends, it is clear from our discussion so far that the original writings of the Bible have been tampered with through various copyist errors. However, the magnitude of these errors is so minute that they do not affect the broad theme of Scripture. For instance, recent archeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 show clearly how the Masoretes meticulously preserved the form of the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures that they considered most accurate. Moreover, from the over 5,000 manuscripts that contain various portions of the New Testament which are available to scholars today, only few issues of textual variations exist among them.

Beloved, these evidences show clearly that the copyists’ errors that found their way into the content of the Scriptures are so minute that they do not affect the broad themes and doctrines of the Holy Scriptures. For the divine Spirit that authored the Scriptures ensured that biblical themes and subjects were so spread out and intertwined that a defect brought up in one area would seldom have any effect on the overall subject. From the pen of inspiration, we read the following clear words on this issue:

A) "Some look to us gravely and say, ‘Don’t you think there might have been some mistake in the copyist or in the translators?’ This is all probable.... All the mistakes will not cause trouble to one soul, or cause any feet to stumble, that would not manufacture difficulties from the plainest revealed truth." -- (FSG 136.6) B) "I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible, yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed." -- Early Writings, 220, 221 (Spiritual Gifts 1:116, 117). 3) If the Bible has one divine Author, why do we have several translations of the Bible in the English language? What use should be made of the many versions of the Bible in the English language?

It is understandable when we see and hear of the translation of the Bible into several languages of the world; for the Word of God must be brought to men in their own native languages so they can have the opportunity to know, and take advantage of the great plan of salvation that the Lord has made for all the peoples of the world (see John 3:16). The concern of many in Christendom is rather that if God gave His people only one Bible, why are there so many translations of this Bible into the English language? This is an important question which begs for answers.

Friends, there are two main reasons why we see several translations of the Bible in the English language. First, there has been the discovery of fresh biblical materials. For instance, there have been new discoveries of ancient Bible manuscripts. These discoveries have increased the pool of Bible manuscripts available to Bible scholars. Moreover, there have been several archeological discoveries in recent times which have shed great light on the customs of some biblical landmarks. These discoveries have led to rich understanding of certain passages of the Bible. The second key reason is the desire to make the Bible more understandable. Several of the new translations try to use contemporary speech forms, diction and expressions that will make the Bible more understandable and meaningful to the modern reader.

In pursuing Bible translation, biblical scholars have utilised two major approaches. These approaches are formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. In formal equivalence, the translator seeks to translate the Bible in a literal word for word manner. Even though this approach does not provide for a smooth reading, it is the best approach to rely on for Bible study. The reader of a literal version of the Bible can be sure that no attempt has been made by the translator to incorporate his own ideas. Examples of Bible versions which were translated through the formal equivalence approach include The King James Version and The New American Standard Bible. In dynamic equivalence, the translator seeks to translate the Bible by using his own expressions and phrases which are designed to render the same thought as in the original. The strength of this translation is that it makes use of contemporary speech forms and expressions which make the Bible more understandable and applicable to the modern reader. However, there is a particular danger with translations that utilise this approach. There is clear scholarly evidence to show that some translators who have utilised this approach have sometimes erred in respect to the rendering of key doctrinal passages. The basic problem has been that in striving to put into clear English their understanding of various biblical doctrines, they (the translators) render incorrectly various key words and passages whereby their own understanding of the Scriptures has been faulty. Some examples of Bible versions which were translated through the dynamic equivalence approach are The Good News Bible and the New International Version.

At this point in our study, it is important for us to note that there is nothing like the very best version of the Bible. All Bible versions have got their strengths and weaknesses. Now to get the most out of the Scriptures, we need to combine various versions of the Bible. We must combine both the formal and dynamic equivalence translations. For instance, where archaic words in literal translations make the understanding difficult, we can fall on dynamic translations to help us with clear understanding of several passages. More so, where we realise that a particular dynamic translation vary or has departed widely from several other translations, we can check out some literal translations for a better rendering of that text. Even though several translations abound today, we can be sure that a good combination of these translations will still keep our feet on the narrow path; where the Word of God is esteemed to be pure, noble and holy.

4) What is the purpose of the various scholarly criticisms towards the Bible? Is there any merit in any of these types of criticism?

There are several forms of scholarly criticisms of the Bible. In this study, I want us to consider textual criticism and the historical-critical method. Textual criticism (also called lower criticism) is the study of the extant or surviving manuscripts of the Scriptures with the purpose of establishing the original text of the Bible writers. This form of criticism does not question the validity of Scripture, and has the merit of helping the Bible scholar to see the various variants of a text available in the extant manuscripts so as to make an informed decision with respect to works of biblical translation and hermeneutics in its various forms.

The historical-critical method (also known as higher criticism) utilises the scientific literally approach on the Bible to try and ascertain the validity of what the Bible writers originally penned down. Higher critics take interest in debating biblical scholarly issues such as the authorship and date of composition of the various biblical books so as to set a standard for exegesis. Moreover, this form of criticism tries to view the Scripture from a naturalistic perspective, and calls to question the validity of inspiration on passages of supernatural essence. For instance, higher critics have questioned the validity of passages that border on topics such as a literal six-day creation (Genesis 1), a worldwide flood (Genesis 7), Jonah spending three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish (Matthew 12:40), the virgin birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-38), Christ walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33), gender distinctions and roles (Genesis 2:20-24; Ephesians 5:22-25, 28, 33; Colossians 3:18, 19), as well as many other biblical passages. Concerning this form of criticism, we read the following counsel from the pen of inspiration:

A) "When men, in their finite judgment, find it necessary to go into an examination of Scriptures to define that which is inspired and that which is not, they have stepped before Jesus to show Him a better way than He has led us." -- (FSG 137.3) B) "Brethren, let not a mind or hand be engaged in criticizing the Bible. It is a work that Satan delights to have any of you do, but it is not a work the Lord has pointed out for you to do." -- (FSG 137.5) C) "Brethren, cling to your Bible, as it reads, and stop your criticisms in regard to its validity, and obey the Word, and not one of you will be lost." -- (FSG 137.6) 5) What are the Apocryphal books? Why do the majority of denominations in Christendom reject them as part of the Holy Scriptures?

The Greek term 'Apocryphal' means "hidden things". The Apocryphal books refer to a group of books which were written between the intertestamental period - that is the period between the completion of the Old Testament and the first writings included in the New Testament. The Apocryphal books were never included in the canon of the Hebrew Scriptures. However, in the Septuagint version (that is, the Greek version which was translated from the Hebrew Scriptures), the Apocryphal books were added.

Old Testament Apocryphal books include works such as 1, 2, 3 and 4 Maccabees, The Wisdom of Solomon, 1 and 2 Esdras, The Prayer of Manasses, Tobit, Judith and Additions to Daniel (The Song of The Three Holy Children, The History of Suzanna, Bel and the Dragon), Ecclesiasticus (which is also referred to as the Wisdom of Jesus, the son of Sirach) and Baruch. Some of these Old Testament Apocryphal books are accepted as canonical by the Eastern and Roman Catholic Churches. However, most Protestants reject them as uninspired writings.

There are also New Testament Apocryphal works. These works include The Acts of Paul, The Gospel of Peter, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, The Gospels of Barnabas and Bartholomew, The Nativity of Mary, and the Shepherd of Hermas. These works were written by unknown authors who tried to gain a readership by utilising the name of a famous biblical character. Generally, these books were seen to make false claim to authority so as to further heretical ideas. Thus, they were excluded from the canon of the Holy Scriptures by the early church. Unlike some of the Old Testament Apocryphal books, the New Testament Apocryphal works are not accepted even by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches.

At this point, some of you may be wondering why the Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches accept some of the Old Testament Apocryphal books while most Protestants reject them. Outlined below are some of the reasons why most Protestants reject the Old Testament Apocryphal works:

A) They were not recognised by the Jews as divinely inspired, and were therefore excluded from the Hebrew canon of the Holy Scriptures.

B) Jesus and the apostles never quoted from any of the Apocryphal books.

C) Following the leading of Christ and the apostles, the early church rejected them from the canon of the Holy Scriptures.

D) An internal evidence from the book of Maccabees makes it clear that there was no prophet of God among the Jews during the time that the Apocryphal books were written (see 1 Maccabees 4:46; 9:27; 14:41).

E) The Apocryphal books lack the spiritual edification that one obtains in the reading of the 66 books that make up the Holy Scriptures. They lack the beauty and harmony of the books that are endorsed with the stamp of the divine Spirit.

F) Unlike the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures, the Apocryphal books contain gross errors in matters of history and geography.

G) A good number of the Apocryphal books teach doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures that make up the Holy Bible. Here are a few examples of false doctrines that are contained in some Apocryphal works:

i) PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD

Apocryphal Falsehood

"12: 43 And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,

12:44 (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

12:45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

12:46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

(2 Maccabees 12:43-46) Biblical Truth:

"For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth." (Isaiah 38:18).

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." (Hebrews 3:15)

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27)

ii) PARTIAL GIVING

Apocryphal Falsehood

"Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee." (Ecclesiasticus 12:6)

Biblical Truth "5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

(Matthew 5:43-45) "12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

(Romans 12:20, 21) iii) ALMSGIVING CLEANSES FROM SIN

Apocryphal Falsehood "12:8 Prayer is good with fasting and alms: more than to lay up treasures of gold.

12:9 For alms delivereth from death: and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting."

(Tobias 12:8, 9) "Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:" (Ecclesiasticus 3:33)

Biblical Truth

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

"1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

(1 Peter 1:18, 19) iv) MAGICAL ART AND ENCHANTMENT

Apocryphal Falsehood "6:5 Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of this fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines.

6:6 And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes.

6:7 Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish?

6:8 And the angel, answering, said to him: If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them."

(Tobit 6:5-8) Biblical Truth

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;" (Mark 16:17)

"And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." (Acts 16:18)

v) HEAVEN, HELL AND PURGATORY

Apocryphal Falsehood "3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.

3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:

3:3 And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.

3:4 And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality."

(Wisdom 3:1-4) Biblical Truth "If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness." (Job 17:13)

"2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,"

(Acts 2:29, 34) "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7)

Friends, these are just a few of the false doctrines that are contained in several of the Apocryphal books. The Bible clearly states that "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). From what we have gone through so far, we can appreciate why the Holy Spirit directed the early Jewish and Christian church leaders to exclude the Apocryphal books from the canon that formed the Holy Scriptures. This clear position we have arrived at in this study does not mean that the Apocryphal works do not have any value at all. Just as the various ancient uninspired literary works have some merit, so do the Apocryphal books also have some merit. For instance, the Apocryphal books provide us with some interesting and helpful forms of Jewish lifestyle and historical backgrounds during the long silent period between the testaments.

6) In this study, we have considered various critical questions that have perplexed several people in regard to the Holy Scriptures. It is my fervent prayer that the answers provided in this study will shed light on these questions, and help each one of us to attain an implicit trust in the Scriptures as the veritable Word of God. God has provided convincing answers in His Word to help every honest seeker to know the plain truths of the Bible. However, if one seeks to find a cause to doubt the Bible, that fellow is likely to make up one; for the Bible clearly states that there are things that the Lord has chosen to keep as secret unto Himself (see Deuteronomy 29:29). As we come to learn that it is only in the light of eternity that we may comprehend the fullness of God's Holy Word, our hearts can stay peaceful despite the various unanswered questions of Scripture.

Exhortation: From the pen of inspiration, we read the following in relation to the Holy Scriptures: i) "In His word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience." -- (FSG 139.1) ii) "The whole Bible is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ. Received, believed, obeyed, it is the great instrumentality in the transformation of character. It is the grand stimulus, the constraining force, that quickens the physical, mental, and spiritual powers and directs the life into right channels." -- (1MCP 93.4) In our next study, which happens to be the last in our series on The Holy Scriptures, we will consider the topic: Divine Power in the Sacred Scriptures. The Bible Study references for this study are 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, John 6:63, Psalm 119:105, Matthew 4:4, Jeremiah 15:16, Ephesians 6:7, John 17:17 and Psalm 119:11. Please do well to go through these texts before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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