By Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
When I was a young preacher in my early 30s, I once found myself in a meeting with other leaders from my denomination, debating whether or not the Bible is inerrant. Imagine my surprise. I didn’t know the subject was up for debate!
One by one the moderator asked us to share our positions on this issue, and I was shocked and saddened as I absorbed opening comments from many of my peers. They had doubts, they said, about the trustworthiness of the Bible.
It was almost my turn when I felt a surge of anxiety rush through my system. What was I going to say? I decided to keep it simple—and true. “The Bible is the Word of God,” I said.
All were silent as my words hung in the air, but then the pastor sitting next to me piped up, “You mean the Bible contains the words of God.” I couldn’t believe my ears. “No, that’s not what I mean. What I mean is that the Bible is the Word of God.”
There’s a subtle but strong difference between those two beliefs. Does the Bible merely contain some of God’s words… or is the Bible the Word of God? Our answer to that question makes all the difference.
You see, many modern ways of understanding and interpreting the Bible center on the belief that it is only a vehicle for God’s truth instead of God’s truth itself. They focus on various parts of the Bible being true instead of seeing the entirety of God’s Word as Truth.
But this belief simply doesn’t square with the apostle Paul’s validation in 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV), which says that “all Scripture is breathed out by God….” Every word of God is pure. And every word of God is true. The Bible is the inerrant Word of God!
So what difference does it make if I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God? That question was answered by a woman I recently visited who was facing the end of the earthly road we walk.
Does the Bible merely contain some of God’s words… or is the Bible the Word of God? Our answer to that question makes all the difference.
Despite the uncertainty and perplexing emotions she was facing, she seemed strangely serene and completely devoid of fear. I asked about her confidence and her undeniable sense of peace. In reply she said, “I’m resting in the Word of God.”
God’s holy Word is comforting in our times of deepest need. But only if it is true. If the Bible isn’t sure, if it isn’t settled, then any old book will do. But it is sure. It is settled. So look to the Bible for strength every day and in every circumstance because yes, it is the Word of God and you can trust it!
Dr. Jack Graham is senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He’s the author of many books including LifeBook, where he makes his case for the Bible’s authority, authenticity, and ability to transform lives. You can hear Pastor Graham daily on his radio program, PowerPoint. Visit JackGraham.org for station listings.