Slide 1
Last summer, we met Pastor Lora Copley and her husband, Joel. Just a month prior to the Abide Conference in Chicago, they moved to a church in Ames, Iowa near the University. Engaging with new members and neighbors, she took note of a language barrier present. It was particularly true of the campus population. Even though English was being spoken, it was as if people were working from two very different dictionaries. The challenge is that words carry with them pre-existing assumptions and values. That is especially true when the words are spiritual or faith-related in today’s context.
As Christians, grounded in Scripture, what about the word Bible? Both parties in a conversation may picture a book – but from there the roads diverge. Immediately we equate the Bible as God’s Word. It is inspired, reliable and true as God’s special revelation. In the Reformed tradition It is also authoritative for our lives. Our confessions affirm this.
Slide 2
Art. 5 Belgic Confession – We receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith.
Slide 3
Art. 7 Belgic Confession – We believe this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it.
Though several hundred years old, these dusted off confessions reflect a time not all that different than what we live in today where Scripture is either disregarded or put alongside other authorities or traditions.
Yet others use the word Bible with suspicion – perhaps a response to God but a human product – Yes, there appears to be some good life lessons contained therein on condition you filter out the socially unacceptable things. Some parts seem more important than others. For instance what Jesus says gets more street credit than the prophets or letters of Paul.
What is our takeaway? Merely mentioning the Bible or inserting a favorite verse into a conversation may not be enough without adding some additional affirmation because people indeed operate from different dictionaries. That’s true even among Christians.
Returning to the State of Theology Survey – it’s clear for a growing number of believers the authority and reliability on Scripture is changing. Consider these couple questions asked of 3020 self identified Christians.
Slide 4
The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains myths that are not literally true – 53%
The Bibles repeated condemnation of certain behaviors no longer applies today - 46%
The Bible as God’s revelation holds the highest authority for what we believe and do. 55%
The takeaway for these answers transforms Scripture into a buffet or smorgasbord of choices. We are likely to hold onto what energizes us or is emotionally moving at the expense of other less popular texts.
Where then might we turn for the right take? The confessions as a summary of Scripture help, but the best answer is Scripture itself. Yet at the same time we know this is problematic for some – because you are using Scripture to defend itself. While insufficient - There are archaeological discoveries that help verify historical questions – such as the recent discovery of Moabite records that refer to a war against King David – but we don’t have backups for everything. In time, God will prove his Word is true when Jesus returns – but for now we live by faith – in confidence we rely on Scripture and the Spirit’s moving to help us.
Given Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, looking at how Jesus himself used Scripture is helpful. Jesus cites Old Testament Scriptures of course because the new was not yet composed. But it’s still helpful nonetheless.
Having just connected with the GEMS and Cadets concerning temptations, we spoke to how Jesus used Scripture. Granted the devil does as well because he is the expert deceiver as if he too operated from a different dictionary than Jesus does.
Slide 5
What was Satan’s ultimate objective? To cause Jesus, the Second Adam, to sin and disqualify himself. But it also says the Spirit of God led Jesus to be tempted. What was the Spirit’s ultimate objective? To prove that Jesus could resist temptation revealing that with perfect obedience he was perfectly qualified to be our substitute. And as we read this text, we might think well this was it – Satan gives up. But Luke removes such misconceptions: Luke 4:13 – When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Slide 6
That means, the temptations of Jesus were just one inning of a much larger sinister plan for the devil. We can relate to this - just because we come through one temptation with a sigh of relief, we can’t let our guard down. Yet we also know first hand - the devil does his best work when the temptee is particularly vulnerable. Returning to our text, Jesus appears on scene weak and vulnerable with hunger having not eaten for 40 days.
You are familiar with the phrase, it’s not if you win, it’s how you play the game. That axiom just is not true when it comes to Jesus. Jesus didn’t just have to pass the text, he had to ace the test every single time he was tempted. Just one slip and Jesus would have disqualified himself from becoming our substitute on the cross. God’s entire salvation plan rode on this moment.
Slide 7
Three times Jesus is tempted. Three times Jesus offers Satan a response. Each and every time the basis for Christ’s answer is Scripture. Both Scriptural accounts in Matthew and Luke confirm this – Three times, FOR IT IS WRITTEN.
“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Deuteronomy 8:3
“It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Deuteronomy 6:16
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Deuteronomy 6:13
Nor was this the only time that Jesus cited Scripture in his teachings. Jesus quoted from the Old Testament books well over 100 times. Of the 39, Jesus quotes are traced to 24 of them – Most frequently Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah. Yet of the 39 – Deuteronomy probably ranks the lowest on our list and Psalms the highest – much of that thanks to the singing of the Psalms in worship.
Then at the conclusion of this text whether lesson or sermon. I’ve heard it in Sunday School and in the pew. Jesus is showing us why it is important to memorize Scripture. And perhaps that is still a good rule of thumb for us – there is still something to soaking in Scripture and memorizing even with Scripture easily accessible on our gadgets with a couple clicks.
But perhaps considering the survey results from those earlier questions… considering Pastor Lora’s observations that when it comes to the word Bible, a person may be operating from a different dictionary than what we are using – there may be an even more foundational application than giving priority to memorizing Scripture.
Slide 8
By his very use of Scripture, Jesus offers us a valuable lesson that Scripture holds authority over our lives. He himself – the Son of God – made himself subject to it throughout his life. Jesus answer to his temptations proved the importance of Scripture.
It is such a basic principle operating in this text that if it was not specifically stated and taught – we will tend to overlook it given all the various takes on what the Bible is defined as. It’s no wonder that 45% percent of self-identified Christians in the survey – said the Bible as God’s revelation was not the highest authority in their lives. Again, I would love to ask the participants a second follow up question – If not the Bible, then what? But we can’t. But we can take time to answer this question ourselves.
Slide 9
Then given all the various takes on the Bible, while memorizing still has its advantages, today, when we cite God’s Word in conversation we need to include more than just book, chapter and verse. We should also be affirming at the same time what we believe about Scripture in case the person we are speaking with or witnessing to – or offering a listening ear too operates with a different dictionary than we are. Otherwise the Scripture quoted may just get an eyeroll or fall on deaf ears. In his historical setting, Jesus had no need to do so – but in ours more and more we do. Ideas abound – rather than just the Bible – post the phrase God’s Word – or if you are willing offer a demonstration of how the text challenges you to greater obedience or the deepening of your faith. Showing over time as well that all Scripture anticipated or points to Christ – the Word of God made flesh for our salvation.
