Bible as the Absolute Authority

[OBW]

The whole idea as the absolute authority is somewhat ridiculous. No matter how you want to read it, it can never be seen as a concise compendium of what is absolutely THE answer to very many things. Rather, it is the revelation of the One who is the answer to everything.

Now in saying that God/Christ/the Spirit is "the answer to everything," I am not suggesting that you will find the answers to your physics homework by praying to God (not that he cannot provide the answers, but that he almost always will not). It's just that this is not what he is here for.

The problem with the bible as the absolute authority is, as suggested, that given the manner in which it is provided — stories, examples, metaphors, parables, etc. — there are not too many things on which it makes clear and unequivocal statements. Not saying that it "equivocates," but that it seldom makes its pronouncements that directly. If it were so absolute and precise, it would be too difficult to cover all it needs to without either being a library-sized encyclopedia or be woefully short on what it did cover.

And on the things it does seem to talk about, it does so in terms that are less-than direct and specific. That is part of the reason that there is even confusion on what precisely is required for salvation. In most evangelical circles (of which I am generally a part), there is a dire need for a date and time on which, in a somewhat "crisis" or decisive moment, you made a "decision" to "put your faith in Christ" (or other such terminology). And we tend to be suspicious of the salvation of those in older "traditions" who grow-up learning of God and Christ and eventually come to believe. If you ask those people when they "became a Christian," their answer is often vague or unsure because their belief is something that came to be over time, not all at once. Yet they believe, so how do you eliminate them? (BTW, when I say "unsure," I do not mean that they are not sure of their salvation, but that they cannot pinpoint a time and date of belief like an evangelical generally does.)

And all of this came from the same bible and is supported by it.

Don't get me started on predestination and the notion of absolute active sovereignty over everything v free will. Or the truth (or lack thereof) of the notion of falling away (losing salvation). I can justify both positions.

But it does record the gradual revelation of God — from creation (in a rather few vague descriptives) to the one who called Abram and eventually convinced him he would actually bear a son through his presumed-barren wife Sarah, to the one who parted the Red Sea and the River Jordan, caused a walled city to collapse, etc. And who eventually could no longer tolerate the spiritual adultery of the "chosen people" and let them suffer in Babylon, then brought them back (while still under the rule of others) to rebuild their temple.

Then came the promised savior. Not a military king, but a way (or the way) to live in the manner that had been decreed from the beginning.

A lot of good stuff for those whose desire is to believe, obey, and follow the one we call the Lord of lords. And for most of the act of belief, obedience, and following, having an opinion on predestination, when (or if) the rapture will occur, or the timespan and manner of creation, or understanding penal substitutionary atonement just isn't important. And the bible, as it is( rather than as a perfect compendium of everything), is quite profitable.

So, for an absolute authority, the Bible is actually rather poor. But as a revelation of God, it is excellent. And as a profitable source for teaching in righteousness, it is highly recommended (and with the inclusion of Paul's letters in the NT, it recommends itself).

[aron]

Originally Posted by OBW

as a profitable source for teaching in righteousness, it is highly recommended (and with the inclusion of Paul's letters in the NT, it recommends itself).

Also in Psalm 19 and 119, it recommends itself. And either the words are true, or they are not.

[Sons to Glory!]

It just occurred to me (therefore it could be wrong!) that a possible problem with the "Bible as the Absolute Authority" is that the Bible says so many things that can be pointed to to apply in any situation.

I remember the illustration someone made (was it possibly Max R?) that they were sure the Bible had all the answers and God would show it to them. So they put a Bible overhead and flipped the pages to see what scripture would be presented to follow. Without looking they put their finger on a verse and it landed on Matt 27:5; "Then he went away and hanged himself!” (referring to Judas)

So this admittedly is kind of a silly illustration. But hopefully the inner Anointing with fellowship is applied before hanging oneself!

[Nell]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

It just occurred to me (therefore it could be wrong!) that a possible problem with the "Bible as the Absolute Authority" is that the Bible says so many things that can be pointed to to apply in any situation.

I remember the illustration someone made (was it possibly Max R?) that they were sure the Bible had all the answers and God would show it to them. So they put a Bible overhead and flipped the pages to see what scripture would be presented to follow. Without looking they put their finger on a verse and it landed on Matt 27:5; "Then he went away and hanged himself!” (referring to Judas)

So this admittedly is kind of a silly illustration. But hopefully the inner Anointing with fellowship is applied before hanging oneself!

I heard a similar story as a preacher joke. 1st opening "And Haman hanged himself..." 2nd opening "go and do thou likewise".
I think this was actually a George Whitington story.

Nell

[byHismercy]

Originally Posted by Nell

I heard a similar story as a preacher joke. 1st opening "And Haman hanged himself..." 2nd opening "go and do thou likewise".
I think this was actually a George Whitington story.

Nell

It would be funny except for the hundreds of times the Lord has spoken precisely to my exact situation from letting the word fall open at random and reading the first verse I see. I'm not knocking proper study of the word, though!

[OBW]

Originally Posted by aron

Also in Psalm 19 and 119, it recommends itself. And either the words are true, or they are not.

I always like Psalm 19.

"The heavens are telling the glory of God."

Sang that in a choir back in high school. ("The Creation" by Hyden)

So not only does the Bible reveal God, but the very heavens do the same without words. And Paul underscores this in Romans. We all know something of God because of what is seen around us. We may dismiss it as simply "
natural," but it is there.