What is Scripture?

[Neogaia777]

Whatever is "inspired" by God by and through men by God, for men to write or put down, or make into music (lyrics) to be of inspiration to others. And many are going to argue over what is considered to be "inspired" by God, or/and not...

I guess the big question is can people be "inspired" by God to write or do things today, (in this modern day age) (or can people be inspired by Satan?) and I really don't have an answer for you (don't know what I believe there) I believe God/Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit can still give people "gifts" today, so why not "inspired" writings, just don't know?

It is said that in the last days "new scrolls" would be opened, but this is (of course) subject to interpretation...

 

[Alithis]

You have repeatedly claimed to have a superior knowledge of scripture, so it would be interesting to see you post something which gave an exposition on how to grow closer to Jesus. Open the scripture to our understanding and teach us how to interpret the words of our Lord.

The Bible says: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16-17) But it doesn't go on to define exactly what "Scripture" means.

I would argue that there is no perfect (i.e. infallible) version of the Bible. For example, compare Nehemiah 7:8-27 with Ezra 2:3-23, and see if you can spot any inconsistencies.

Backing up to the verse from Paul quoted in the first paragraph, the descriptive word uses is 'inspired' - not 'infallible'. It's the Spirit behind the letters which is ultimately most important.

I can't really think of a version of the Bible (King James, NIV, etc.) which I have not found to be useful for instruction, correction, etc. And, to a lesser extent, I have even found other religious texts (e.g. the Koran, Gita, etc.) to be useful for instruction and correction as well. They're just not infallible.

Jesus said some of what Moses wrote was not the eternal Word of God. And he dared to change it (Mark 10:2-12). Paul said some of the things he wrote were not the Word of God (I Corinthians 7:6, 12, 25). What I do, however, see the Bible saying, is that JESUS is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13-15). It is the words which come from the mouth of Jesus that God will use to judge us (John 12:48).

Let us keep our eyes and minds focused on the teachings of Jesus, for He alone is the infallible Word of God. Amen.

both good points . and it makes it al that more clear that it is not the book we are to follow ,but the book (scriptures )clearly POINT us to the ONE we are supposed to Follow , being the Lord JESUS risen and alive forever more

i would add the question to the OP - what benefit is the question ?
how are we built up in the most holy faith ..if you make people question their faith which is in the truth declared in the Bible ..
why would you wish to ask a question that undermines it ?
how has asking such questions ever brought you into a deeper relationship with the LORD JESUS .. is he LORD in your life ?

 

[anyathesword]

If you ever attend seminary, or even a bible college, chances are in your first year you'll be asked a simple question:

What do you consider to be Scripture?

Think about that for a minute before you reply. Most people will say "The Bible," but then you will be asked this question:

Which translation of the Bible do you consider to be Scripture? This has to be asked because some translations, especially the paraphrased ones like the NLT, are no where near as accurate as a formal equivalent translation like the NASB, ESV or NRSB.

Another question that is often asked is, "can tradition be a part of Scripture"? Catholics and Orthodox Judaism will say "yes!"

Lastly, you might be asked, "is every verse in the Bible Scripture, or is it limited to certain verses"?

No denomination agrees with another 100% on what is Scripture.

Luke 24:44 (KJV) (Jesus is speaking)
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Law of Moses
five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

The Psalms
five books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

The Prophets
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, Second Kings, First Chronicles, Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

And The New Testament

All these books talk about the coming of the Messiah and God's plan to save mankind.

 

[pescador]

Luke 24:44 (KJV) (Jesus is speaking)
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Law of Moses
five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

The Psalms
five books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

The Prophets
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, Second Kings, First Chronicles, Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

And The New Testament

All these books talk about the coming of the Messiah and God's plan to save mankind.

Your idea is nice but wrong.

The law of Moses is technically speaking Leviticus and Deuteronomy but generally refers to the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Psalms are...the Psalms (only).

The prophets are: Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Everything else in the Hebrew bible is "the writings".

There was no New Testament in Jesus' time. The most widely used bible was the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew bible.

 

[Bramwell]

It's okay to debate what scripture is... but isn't a more pertinent question how we can apply it in our lives? And, on top of that, aren't there certain scriptures which are more relevant for us as Christians than others?

Most professing Christians can not name (off the top of their heads) even five things which Jesus told His followers to do. But they can name a multitude of laws from Leviticus which were valid under the Old Covenant, but no longer relevant in the New Covenant with Jesus. Why is this?

 

[Alithis]

It's okay to debate what scripture is... but isn't a more pertinent question how we can apply it in our lives? And, on top of that, aren't there certain scriptures which are more relevant for us as Christians than others?

Most professing Christians can not name (off the top of their heads) even five things which Jesus told His followers to do. But they can name a multitude of laws from Leviticus which were valid under the Old Covenant, but no longer relevant in the New Covenant with Jesus. Why is this?

most Christians only had the old testament when the apostle first wrote .."All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;... "
so it stand to reason that he expected them all to recognize the principles of what the Lord JESUS taught which are all IN the old testament .while we are not under the law, the law is good and righteous and in it are found all the principles of what it is to love God and fellow man .and no one needs the law to know it is not love to murder ,steal,covet ,lie,.. they are written upon our conscience and even those who do not know God generally find themselves aware of these moral absolutes even if they do not realize why -yet no one says of them .."oh your just living by the law"... i think in truth the bulk of Christians know the ten commandments but are (including myself ) relatively ignorant of ..the "law" on the whole .

got side tracked ..
the point you make here -"but isn't a more pertinent question how we can apply it in our lives?".. is excellent .

it genuinely concerns me when folks post questions on congregational fellowship forums which cause people to NOT be built up in faith .
that can never be a good thing

 

[pescador]

It's okay to debate what scripture is... but isn't a more pertinent question how we can apply it in our lives? And, on top of that, aren't there certain scriptures which are more relevant for us as Christians than others?

Most professing Christians can not name (off the top of their heads) even five things which Jesus told His followers to do. But they can name a multitude of laws from Leviticus which were valid under the Old Covenant, but no longer relevant in the New Covenant with Jesus. Why is this?

Because they don't understand the new covenant. Jesus' death set us free from the law but it is human nature to want to have rules to obey and to strive to do what God has already done.

 

[Bramwell]

Backing up, I want to briefly address a point made a few posts back. I think it's fair enough to question the benefits of people questioning their faith. Particularly if it is seen as a destructive thing.

On the other hand, I can share from personal experience that questioning my faith has been a helpful thing. It has led to helpful changes, spiritual growth, and, most importantly, a lifestyle which is more in keeping with what our Lord taught.

To explain, before I began to question, I was a Christian in the popular sense of the word; but it's hard to argue that I had a personal walk with Jesus as Lord and Saviour. I read the Bible, but was ignorant of several of the most significant verses in the Good Book. I went to church, but never actively witnessed for Jesus when I left the building. I avoided drugs and alcohol, but was sorely lacking in love and compassion for those in need. In many ways I would say my priorities were confused in terms of what is most important for us as Christians.

Then I began to question things. Question the foundation of my faith. Question whether my actual practice was in keeping with my professed faith. Question whether the rules I lived by were actually those prescribed by Jesus Himself, or just religious rules, things learned from secular teachers and authorities, etc.

The fruit of such questioning was nothing short of revolutionary for me. And it's hard for me to think that I would have the much improved spiritual walk with Jesus I have now if it weren't for such questioning.

So, I say all that to say that not all questioning is bad. Sometimes it can produce positive change; just look at the Apostle Paul. The Lord had to blind him to get him to question whether or not he really was following the correct path. But the fruit of that questioning (brought on by being blinded, of course!) was nothing short of miraculous.