The Word of God

Almost all Evangelical Christian Churches will have in their doctrinal statement an assertion of their belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error and is the final or ultimate authority on matters of faith and life.      

2 Timothy 3:16-17 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.   

There is also the validation by Jesus Christ who spoke of the O.T. Scriptures as God’s Word.  Christ also foretold that the Holy Spirit would guide the Apostles in their writings.  The Lord’s use of the O.T. Scriptures demonstrated that He believed even the words and grammatical structure of every sentence were exactly what God wanted to reveal. 

All of that is reflected in the sample doctrinal statement I listed above.  However, I’ve come to realize there is often a gap between the formally stated beliefs of a church and what is actually taught.  Everyone should be on guard against any misalignment between the ideals of their beliefs and what they actually practice and teach. 

We all have personal theology.  It is our understanding of who God is and the values we derive from that knowledge.  And many of those who study history and culture have concluded that no civilization or country has ever risen above their understanding of God.  I submit the same applies to the individual as well.  As I said above, almost every evangelical Christian claims to believe the Bible is God’s authoritative revelation to the world.  But when I talk to people I find out that many, if not most, do not read their Bibles.   

They read books by Christian authors, listen to music composed by Christian musicians and pay attention to what the Pastor preaches but spend very little time actually reading the Bible.  Their personal theology is a composite of what they hear rather what they have learned for themselves by reading the Bible.  Which I believe is why so many Christians are confused about the nature of God and their salvation. 

My personal view is the only way to overcome any such confusion is to be like the Jews in Berea. 
Acts 17:11-12 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks.  
Test what you hear against what you can read in the Bible.  And give priority to what the Bible says instead of what you hear.  That includes what I’m writing here.  You want to stand in truth. 
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John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.