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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
1] The Bible is the divinely-inspired
Word of God, the repository of His plan of salvation and the
record of His participation in history. The Bible is God's revelation of
knowledge that man cannot discover for himself. It is the foundation of
knowledge and the guidebook to life. The Old and New Testament comprise
God's written Word which forms the basis of Christianity as taught by
the Church and as practiced by the individual Christian.
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DOCTRINAL OVERVIEW
2] The Bible is God's written
revelation to mankind. It contains God's instructions to man and the
record of God's interaction with mankind. The Bible provides the answers
to mankind's fundamental questions of life. It is the revelation of an
omniscient, omnipotent and loving God; it reveals who God is, and what
His plan and purpose for human beings is.
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3] The Bible exists to provide man
with essential knowledge which he could not learn apart from divine
revelation. Thus, the Bible includes the fundamental principles of how
man should live, how he should govern his own life to generate success
and happiness, and how to work with his fellow man to achieve peace and
harmony. But at its foundational core, the Bible provides the
indispensable knowledge of how man may gain salvation and eternal life,
knowledge which he is incapable of discovering for himself (I Cor.
2:7-11). As the repository of this vital information, the Bible is God's
basic handbook for mankind. back to top
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4] The Church of God believes the
Bible to be divinely inspired (2 Tim. 3:16), the revelation of the
missing dimension in man's knowledge, by the Supreme Authority of the
universe. The Church regards the Holy Bible as the receptacle of God's
essential theological knowledge, basic, accurate, and complete in its
original form. Of course, there are no original manuscripts extant
today. Few are from close to the time of authorship and even age does
not always assure accuracy and fidelity. Whatever shortcomings therefore
may be present in contemporary biblical manuscripts-because human
instruments were writers and copyist, because some translators lacked
knowledge of the original languages, or because of the complexities and
vagaries implicit in the transmission of the various texts-all together
have not substantially concealed the intent nor overshadowed the direct
inspiration of the basic biblical message as we have it today.
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5] What part did God allow human
fallibility to play in the transmission of the many original biblical
texts? This is a real question considering the fact, for example, that
there are three Hebrew versions for parts of the Old Testament, all of
which are pre-Christian in origin and which New Testament writers used
and quoted as recent research has shown. Furthermore, the analysis of
large numbers of ancient New Testament texts with their numerous textual
variations have not yielded obvious or conclusive results for many
scriptures, though the most meticulous and highly sophisticated
techniques have been employed. back to top
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6] Will new discoveries, investigation
and scholarship generate yet new questions or uncertainties about
certain passages? It doesn't matter, because the Bible's primary
objectives have never been, and can never be, perverted or corrupted.
The sum total of all textual variations do not alter the essential
communicative function of the Bible. Its fundamental intent is fully
maintained: all the basic doctrines of God's Church, to a greater or
lesser degree, are discernible from any textual version or translation
of the Bible. back to top
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7] The Church accepts the books of the
Old Testament as found in the canon of the Hebrew Bible and the books of
the New Testament as found in the canon of the Greek New Testament.
These have been sometimes called the "Protestant canon." This same
context has been accepted for most of Christianity for 1500 years. (The
apocryphal books are thus rejected as noncanonical.) The Church has
accepted this canon largely on the basis of internal biblical evidence
(such as Luke 24:44, etc.), informed faith and tradition (Jesus'
reference to "the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms" [or
writings] gives credence to ordering the Old Testament to end with
2
Chronicles [as in the "Jewish Bible"] instead of Malachi [as in the
"Christian Bible"]). back to top
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8] Essential to the teaching of the
Church is the fact that the Bible can be proved to be the written
Word of God. The foremost proof that God's Word is precisely what it
claims to be is that it works in one's life. The proof of
obedience is the Bible's best stamp of divine authorship. Adherence to
its principles, laws and concepts bring about success and happiness in
one's own life, which is ultimately the most critical ratification of
its divine inspiration. Only one who sincerely seeks to apply the
biblical way to his own life will eventually learn that the practical
instructions, timeless wisdom, spiritual depth and living laws come from
a Supreme Being, and not merely from fallible, mortal men. Once a person
has accepted the concept of the Bible containing the inspired
word of God, he is able, by appreciating the intricate yet harmonious
interaction of all parts of the Bible, to conclude in faith that the
whole Bible, all scripture, is precisely what it claims to be-"inspired
by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). The Christian will also
conclude that even those parts of the Bible which are by their very
nature, unable to be "proven" in a mathematical or scientific sense
(e.g., as yet unfulfilled prophecies or historical points which are
unable to be substantiated by secular references) are indeed part of the
Bible, form part of the vehicle of its message, and are accurate in
their proper context. In this logical "jump"-this leap across
undocumented gaps-one cannot discount the importance of faith.
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9] The Church, of course, acknowledges
that the Bible does not claim to be a textbook of comprehensive world
history, science and technology, medicine or any other non-theological
discipline. Nonetheless, the Bible is the Word of God, and as such, is
the foundation of all knowledge, as well as being the storehouse of
salvation. back to top
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10] Fulfilled prophecy is likewise an
important aspect of God's Holy Word. Only God can predict and bring to
pass events of the future (Isa. 41:21-24). Only the Creator God could
predict the name and actions of Cyrus long before his birth (Is. 44-45).
Only He could tell the intricate and accurate events outlined in Daniel
11 or foretell in detail about the coming of His Son as Savior of the
world. While faith plays a role in assessing the significance of already
fulfilled prophecy in proving the Bible, there can be absolutely no
doubt regarding as yet unfulfilled prophecy. When the complex
sequence of events culminating in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ
to earth occurs, there will be no question whatsoever that the God who
foretold it all in biblical prophecy far ahead of time is the same being
who inspired the entirety of the Bible. back to top
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11] The Bible alone claims absolute
preeminence over all other books esteemed by mankind and challenges all
mankind by its claims of purity (Ps. 12:6; Prov. 30:5), scope and
completeness (Rev. 22:18-19). The challenges of the God of the Bible
(Is. 41:21-23) are powerful and direct. Its prophecies for the future
return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the world-ruling Kingdom
of God are straightforward and unmistakable.
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12] In addition to being the written
record of the essential theological knowledge for mankind, the Bible is
also great literature, with many literary forms and devices-poetry,
prose, allegory, epic, parable, history, even humor. It is often open
and frank, and yet at other times it is discreet and obscure. The Bible
exposes the weaknesses of its heroes, but calls them the friends of God.
It shows the glory and power of the Creator through His many miracles
but it shows Him to be intimately concerned with the smallest details of
human lives. It holds out the answers to the riddles of life, yet hides
enough of God's nature and the universe to tantalize us and draw us
further along in a profound growth process.
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13] We see through the pages of the
Bible the lessons of human experience. We read of men and women like us,
those who share problems common to all-with the same pulls and passions,
hopes and dreams, fears and frustrations. The Bible not only shows the
common heritage of human nature, but enables us to understand the
process whereby we may overcome the destructive elements within us and
attain our God-given potential. back to top
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14] The Bible is many books yet one,
a superlative example of e pluribus unum ("one composed of
many"). This remarkable unity of design is one of the unique
characteristics of the Bible. Another is its internal consistency in its
diversity, combining to form a coherent composite. The mark of one
author, for those who have eyes to see, is startlingly apparent.
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15] The authors of the various
biblical books came from differing backgrounds, lived in disparate
environments and were diverse in their personalities, education and
professions. They wrote in different styles, from different standpoints,
to different audiences and at different times. Yet the continuing themes
God inspired are the same. God used all their various and contrasting
perspectives to shape and to emphasize the same basic truth. From
Genesis to Revelation we read of the same God, the same massive plan
being unfolded and developed, with each book augmenting, supporting and
complementing that which has gone before. This unitary focus is due to
the God who initiated, organized and inspired the entire Holy
Scriptures. Although many different men played their part as they were
moved by His Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20), the Bible is in reality God's Word
and not man's.
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16] This is the only factor which
could explain the, uniqueness and remarkable coherence of the Bible.
Dozens of writers spanning a period of over 1500 years from Moses to
John of such dissimilar traits and characteristics could never have
achieved that unity as a result of human effort alone. Yet the unity is
there, not as the product of numerous human minds, but of one mind-the
mind of God-interacting with, and directing, the grand sweep of biblical
authors in many unlikely forms, but always in such a way that their own
personal emotions, feelings, personality and individual writing styles
were employed. God inspired the message, but it was conveyed through
language and vocabulary that was peculiar and natural to each man. The
Bible is thus a human vehicle through which God has chosen to convey His
revelation to mankind. back to top
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17] The Bible and the physical
universe were designed in a similar fashion: they both work as the
products of enormously complex interactions resulting in a wondrously
purposeful product. The similarity between the Bible and the universe
is, of course, to be expected since the same creator designed them both.
The Bible is thus not a simplistic, deterministic catechism of childish
declarative statements. Rather it is a living record of complex
interactions, actions and reactions, stimuli and responses, mistakes and
miracles, successes and failures. back to top
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18] There is a paradox in true
biblical understanding. In order to properly understand any specific
biblical doctrine, it is first necessary to comprehend the entirety of
all biblical doctrines; and, of course, it is impossible to comprehend
the entirety of all biblical doctrines until one understands all the
specific biblical doctrines separately. Seldom can one biblical teaching
be fully understood in isolation. There is an essential interdependence
between nearly all biblical doctrines. Each must be understood in light
of all the others. The reason for this is the inherent unity of the
biblical focus and the coherent thread of its message. Proper biblical
understanding must be achieved by visualizing and comprehending the full
sweeping scope of its message that only the whole Bible can project.
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19] In this regard, the Bible
functions more like a living brain than a computer. In a computer, each
"bit" of data is stored in only one location, while in a brain, the same
"bit" is usually stored in numerous different locations, though in
slightly differing forms and associations. In the Bible (like the
brain), all teachings on any individual subject-for example, honesty,
marital fidelity, salvation, the Sabbath, the millennium-are not limited
to just one location and not discussed in any other location. Just the
opposite is in fact true: The Bible discusses many subjects within the
same chapters and even within the same verses, while each subject may be
discussed throughout numerous books and dozens of verses. So here again
is the paradox: How can we comprehend the Bible if we must understand
all the doctrines before we can understand any one, and we cannot
understand all the doctrines until we understand the sum total of each
individual one? The only solution to the paradox is through the leading
of God's Holy Spirit and by diligent, dedicated Bible study. The Bible
is indeed the full expression of God's mind and purpose for humanity.
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20]
One of the ways to begin to comprehend the unifying
flow of the whole Bible is to follow its primary themes all the way
through. Of all these, surely the most consistent, decisive and relevant
is Jesus Christ. He, in essence, is the focal point of the
entire Bible. He is the personality around whom everything revolves.
Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things (Col. 1:16); the God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the Rock of Israel as Messiah (Gen. 31:53; 2
Sam 23:3) and Lawgiver (Isa. 33:22), and exemplified throughout the New
Testament as Savior and King. He is the Redeemer of all mankind, the
supreme Lawgiver and consummate Teacher. He was the firstborn from the
dead and is the Captain of our salvation, our constant intercessor and
merciful High Priest. Jesus Christ is now the active head of God's
Church and is prophesied throughout the entire Bible to return to earth
as King of kings and Lord of lords to set up the Kingdom of God for all
eternity.
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21] Perhaps one of the most basic
statements of how God has revealed Himself to man is found in Hebrews
1:1-2: "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the
prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son."
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22] This passage evinces several
important things about God's communication to man. First, God's message
comes in many various forms. Second, that message is also mediated by
human beings. This means that the divine Word comes to us in a human
vehicle. Even Jesus Christ, the divine Son, was Himself in the flesh
when He gave many of His teachings; furthermore, those teachings were
not written down by Him but by His human followers.
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23] Some further points are important
to understand in setting the stage for proper biblical understanding.
Third, no human vehicle is fully adequate to convey the fullness of
God's message. Human language is inadequate to express what can be
discerned in its complete spiritual sense only by means of the Holy
Spirit. There is also the problem of transmission of the text; this is
done by human beings and subject to human error. The problem of
understanding ancient languages which have changed structure and meaning
through the ages or have even ceased to be used as a living form of
communication adds a further difficulty. back to top
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24] Fourth, the message of the Bible
must speak to all people in every age. Yet society changes, culture
modifies, and each Christian finds himself living in a particular
situation which does not exactly fit that of the original writers of the
Bible. Christians do not live in the Old Testament theocracy of ancient
Israel with autonomous control of a particular territory. Nor do they
live in the New Testament world of Greco-Roman culture. Rather,
Christians have lived in radically different environments down through
the centuries, from Cologne in the Middle Ages to London in the 17th
century to Los Angeles in the nuclear age. Therefore, there is always a
certain "communication or generation gap" between the written word and
the later reader. back to top
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25]
Fifth, God has deliberately hidden much of His
important truth from mankind so that the full progression, and
eventually resolution, of human history would proceed according to God's
timetable. As a result it is not man's fault that he doesn't understand
the Bible. Even the prophets of old didn't always grasp the meaning of
their own biblical statements (e.g. Dan. 12:8); and they surely didn't
comprehend the fullness of the mystery of the purpose of human life
(Matt. 13:17; Eph.3:4-5). Jesus Himself spoke in parables so that the
common people would not understand what He was saying (Matt.
13:10-11); He was teaching His disciples not the masses (v. 10-1 7),
since God's plan did not yet call for the vast majority of people to be
called and converted.
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26] Once these five points are
recognized, a specific progression of biblical logic must be followed
and accepted unless one is to falsely assume that God has left man in
the dark about His basic purpose for mankind and plan of salvation. This
progression can be summarized as follows:
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27]
1. The essential truths God wishes to convey will be
intelligible to any normal person with even below average intelligence
and education (if God has chosen to open his mind). They can be
discerned from any basic version or translation of the Bible which the
reader understands. This must be true regardless of textual revision
and/or poor translation. back to top
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28] 2. God must open a person's mind
in order for him or her to understand the fullness of His truth. It is,
of course, possible for human beings to learn many aspects of the Bible
on their own, utilizing the mechanisms of intellect and the tools of
scholarship. Yet God has so designed the Bible and the human mind that
even with the most intense effort men cannot fully grasp the profound
spiritual depth of the scriptures without the active involvement of the
Spirit of God. The mind of man cannot understand the things of God-the
mysteries of God-without the supernatural help from the Spirit of God (1
Cor. 2:7-14). Since human language is always
inadequate to break through the boundaries of spiritual reality and
truth, a perceptive spiritual understanding of the Bible requires the
direct intervention and action of the Holy Spirit "bearing witness with
our spirit" (Rom. 8:16), thereby effecting a change in the mind of the
individual. Only God can make this decision to open our minds through
His Spirit. It makes no difference how vehemently a human being desires
to understand the Bible, nor how hard he studies it. Though such study
will produce much knowledge, this knowledge will remain physically
oriented and bound, forever missing the vital key of spiritual
enlightenment; Paul wrote, "So it depends not upon man's will or
exertion, but upon God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16); so it is with true biblical
understanding. Faith, as well, is a critical factor in achieving the
spiritual comprehension necessary to understand the Bible. One must be
convinced beyond the scope of the experimentally controlled and
repeatable data demanded by scientists as verified "proof," that God
exists and that the Bible is His inspired Word. The faith for such an
absolute belief can come only through God's Holy Spirit.
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29] 3. The message of the Bible is
theological. The Bible is not a history or science text. Its purpose is
not to dictate on matters of art, technology, personal taste or the vast
world of knowledge which man is capable of discovering for himself via
the precious gift of man's God-given mental capacities. The Bible rather
gives those essential theological and religious truths which man could
not find out for himself through the academic disciplines.
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30] 4. The Bible contains various
types of literature, each of which must be understood on its own terms.
It contains history, poetry, parable, metaphor and symbolic revelation.
It is often a record of those things which it elsewhere condemns, such
as false opinions, lies, misunderstandings, deceptions and heinous sins
of every type. This leads to the next point. back to top
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31] 5. The biblical message is gained
from the Bible as a whole, not from reading a verse or two in isolation
or otherwise "proof-texting". What may seem to be a blanket statement in
one passage can be greatly qualified elsewhere. The picture given by one
book may be somewhat altered in the light of the teachings in another.
One must perceive and comprehend the full spectrum of biblical doctrine
in general in order to properly understand almost any specific element
in particular.
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32] 6. The resources of modem
scholarship, properly handled, can add insight, detail and historical
color to the basic biblical message. God has designed the Bible so that
the essential message of God must be clear to any Spirit-led person
seeking humbly to learn the plan of salvation as expressed in His Word.
Indeed an uneducated Christian reading an inadequate translation will be
able to understand the fundamental doctrines necessary for salvation.
Nonetheless, a technical understanding of ancient languages, literature,
history, society and other information put at our disposal by
contemporary scholarship will enhance a person's total understanding of
the Bible. The various books of the Bible were not written in a vacuum.
To achieve a deeper understanding of their teachings, one must strive to
grow in the knowledge of the history and background of the Bible, and
the cultures in which they arose. Thus a Christian may add scholarly
knowledge which can come only from God. This physical data will in turn
embellish and enhance his spiritual understanding.
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33] 7. Because of changed situations
and society, there has to be some institution to clarify the meaning of
the Bible for the Christian in the particular age in which he lives
(Acts 8:31). Recognizing this need, Jesus Christ established and
sustains His Church, to which He has given the responsibility to
determine how to apply the Bible in particular situations in which the
various individual Christians would not necessarily be unified. Even
though the Bible always stands at the foundation of Christian belief,
the Church can still come to decisions under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit which were not specified in the pages of the Bible itself. For
example, just as Moses modified the statutes and judgments of Israel for
use in an agrarian society, and just as Paul
made decisions that he did not learn from the Lord (e.g..
1 Cor. 7:12),
so the Church today must render judgments based on biblical laws and
principles in order to keep itself relevant and vital in our modern age.
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34] The essential element here is
unity of the believers and coherence of the Church. Members of the
Church must have a common body of beliefs, traditions, customs,
practices and procedures in order to remain united. And this unity is
vital if a collective work is to be done. A Christian in isolation will
have to render his own judgments, and two such Christians will not
always agree. But if we must have fellowship together (which God says we
need for our spiritual development), if we must be in the same Church
together (which God states is critical for our spiritual sustenance),
and if we must accomplish a major work together (which is our
collective, God-given commission), then God's government must be
authorized to finalize doctrine, discern interpretations, administrate
decisions, etc. And God's government can be established only by and
through God's Church.
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35]
In summary, Christians should study the Bible
diligently, respect it as the Word of God and seek its guidance through
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (John
14:26; 16:13) and the teachings of the Church. In order to become like
God, we must seek to understand the Bible, which is the clearest
expression of the mind of God. This we can only hope to achieve through
profound and regular Bible study, and through the internalized
implementation of its precepts and values.
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36] Thus, God's Word is a totally
unique collection of writings absolutely profound in every sense, making
commonly available to all mankind the words of life-the hope for today
and the promise of tomorrow. It is man's responsibility and privilege to
seek out the incredible depths and riches of God's mind as revealed in
His Word. back to top
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