Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
The Holy Bible, the Word of God, holds a revered position within Christianity. It is considered the ultimate source of divine revelation, providing guidance, wisdom, and instruction to believers. The words are Spirit and they are life (John 6:63).
We root the doctrine of the preservation of the Word of God
in the belief that the Bible, as God's revelation, has been kept pure in all
ages. Various biblical passages support this belief. In Psalm 12:6-7, it is
written, "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a
furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou
shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Similarly, Jesus
declares in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away."
These verses, among others, affirm the Christian belief that
the Word of God remains inviolate and unchanged. It suggests a divine
safeguarding of the biblical text, ensuring its accuracy, reliability, and
endurance throughout generations. However, it is crucial to understand that
this does not imply an absolute perfection in every manuscript or translation
of the Bible. Rather, it is a conviction that the essential truths of the Bible have been preserved intact to every generation.
The doctrine of the perfection of the Word of God refers to
the belief in the Bible's inerrancy and infallibility. This doctrine asserts
that the Bible is without error in all its
teachings, whether they pertain to theology, history, or science. This belief
is underpinned by verses such as Psalm 19:7, which states, "The law of the
LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making
wise the simple."
The perfection of the Word of God is a corollary of its
divine inspiration. If the Bible is indeed God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), then
it must be free from error, as God Himself is perfect and incapable of
falsehood. This belief, however, does not negate the human element in the
process of biblical composition. Instead, it affirms that the Holy Spirit
guided the human authors in such a way that their writings were free from error
and accurately conveyed the message God intended.
The doctrines of preservation and perfection have profound
implications for Christian life and practice. They affirm the Bible's authority
and reliability as the guide for faith and conduct. They also underscore the
importance of diligent study and correct interpretation of the Bible, as it is
through the Word that God communicates His will and purposes to His people.
In conclusion, the Christian doctrines of the preservation
and perfection of the Word of God articulate a high view of the Bible,
affirming its divine origin, enduring reliability, and absolute truthfulness.
These doctrines serve as the foundation for the Bible's authority and its
central role in Christian faith and practice.
While these doctrines may raise complex questions about
textual variations and the process of biblical inspiration, they ultimately
point to the sovereignty and faithfulness of God, who has revealed Himself
through a written Word that endures and guides His people throughout
generations. As Christians, our response should be one of gratitude, reverence,
and diligent engagement with the Word, trusting in the God who speaks through
it and preserves it for our instruction and edification.