Can We Depend On Scripture?

A key ingredient for a satisfactory Christian life is obeying God, as John 14:21 tells us.  “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  In order to do that, we will have to know what his commandments are, and our best record of his commandments and activities are found in the scriptures.    Can we trust the scriptures?

Many scholars to day believe the book of Mark is the oldest of the gospels.  It was written in a style of Greek that became common about 50 AD, and Luke is in very similar form.  Matthew and John use a newer style that became popular about 75 AD.  As a result they have concluded that Mark was the first of the Gospels, and the others are based on it.  Writing about 90 AD, Pappias wrote that the apostle John said the apostle Matthew originally wrote the book of Matthew in Hebrew shortly after Jesus’ crucifixion, based on Matthew’s own experiences, before 37 AD.  John apparently wrote the book of John about the same time, also in Hebrew.  Mark was not one of the apostles, but served as a Greek translator for Peter and wrote the book of Mark specifically for the gentiles somewhat later.  Luke was a Greek, and his book is based on interviews with a number of different people. 

After the destruction of Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the Jews, Hebrew became much less common and Matthew and John were translated into Greek about 75 AD. About 95 AD, John wrote the book of Revelation, using a cruder form of Greek typical of those for whom Greek was not their primary language.  While none of the Hebrew versions of the Gospels have been found, we have scraps of Mark dating to around 56 Ad, and of the other gospels dating to around 80 AD., indicating they were in fact written by those to whom they are attributed. 

With that in mind, we need only concern ourselves with the accuracy of what the different writers have recorded.  In I John 1:1-4, John states that they are only writing the things which had personally experienced.  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

Peter makes a similar statement, in II Peter 1:16-18.  “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”  They had personally heard God speak from heaven saying Jesus was his own son.  As a result both Peter and John were convinced that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, the only begotten son of God, and that the things he said were to be depended upon. 

What they were writing were borne out in the writings of the prophets of the past, and Peter explains why these prophecies can be trusted in II Peter 1:19-21.  “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 

The writings of the scriptures were directed by God and would contain no contradictions.  Unfortunately, languages change over time, and copyists make mistakes.  As a result, it is necessary to compare various passages about a subject to be sure we are not misunderstanding it.    If we simply base our understanding on a modern understanding of a single passage, we will be unable to fully understand what was originally intended, resulting in widely divergent interpretations.  This will require us to diligently study the Scriptures, as II Timothy 2:15 commands.  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We must not simply depend on our teachers and leaders to tell us what God says.  II Peter 2:1-3 warns, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 

There are false teachers in every group who deliberately distort the scriptures in an effort to achieve their own agenda, with no concern for the consequences of their actions.  If we go along with them we will end up facing God’s judgement right along with them because we had the word of God to teach us what was right and have no justification for not obeying.

We need to regularly review what God said, and As Peter explains in II Peter 1:13-15, that is why the scriptures were written down.  “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”