by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: October 27, 2009

Among those who express their opinions on the web there seem to be many non-believers, agnostics, and spiritual seekers who have rejected the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of our culture. For them the Bible is at best a source of human wisdom and at worst a corrupter of human potential. Short of some rather miraculous epiphany in their lives I doubt their opinions of the book will change.

Among Christians, the Bible is the Word of God. However, while all Christians would agree to this truth, there is vast difference of opinion on what this affirmation means. There are some who believe the Bible to be the literal dictated word of God. Moses went up on the mountain and God dictated the Pentateuch (the first five books) including an account of Moses' death. Their attitude can be characterized by the slogan, God said it; I believe it; that settles it.

For many this narrow view has too many holes and requires too great a suspension of common sense and intellectual acuity. Another view is the Bible is the inspired word of God. This means just what it says. The Bible has been written by many different people over a long period of time. However, the one true God has inspired them all.

More scholarly types who have carefully linguistically analyzed the texts of the Bible take this approach one step further. In some parts of the Bible there may have been several people or groups responsible for its composition, and editing over a period of years. Further more the Bible, according to this view, tells us about mankind's struggle to understand the message of God. It is a reflection of a maturing view of God's Word for His people.

In recent years a group known as The Jesus Seminar has focused upon the Gospels and together has sought to cut away any message they feel is an interpretation of Jesus words. In the end there seems to be very little they are willing to attribute to Jesus himself. However, at least there are a few things.

There is yet another important way most Christians believe the Bible to be the Word of God. It is even called the Living Word of God. By this, Christians mean to say in the process of reading and meditating on God's Word they receive guidance, encouragement, wisdom, and strength for their daily lives.

The Rev. Harley Swiggum, Lutheran Pastor and author of The Bethe Series Bible Study calls this a confrontation with the text. When the words on the page become alive for the reader with a helpful, healing, or even challenging truth they are at that moment indeed, the Word of God.

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