An Open Letter -- Part 1

"Forever O Lord

Your Word is settled in heaven" - Ps 119:105

"The grass withers, the flower fades

But the word of our God stands forever" - Is 40:8

A few summers ago, we went to Paris and in our exploration of the city, we walked into the Pantheon in Paris. Beautiful architecture, white walls, high gothic arched ceilings with a heavy, murky vibe. The Pantheon is essentially a cemetery for notable French figures, leaders and philosophers. One of the first burial monuments we came upon was Voltaire, 18th century French philosopher and writer. Also a strong critic of Christianity and the Scriptures. He famously said that within 100 years of his death, the Bible would become obsolete,  'a museum piece'. Ironically, a century after his death, Voltaire's house and printing press were used to print Bibles by the Evangelical Society of Geneva.  The famous man that once uttered those words has himself became a museum piece. "The grass withers, the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever" Is 40:8 'Forever Oh Lord Your Word...". 

My prayer is that the Bible would never be 'a museum piece' in my heart nor my home. That Scripture remain the center of my life. And yours. 

This Word that is in my hands is my lifeline.  It is "firmly fixed in the heavens". Scripture is an anchor that will not allow the boat of life to turn over, regardless of the tempest that beats against its walls.  The Word of God is the gentle wind that whispers it's calm over me when my mind is a flurry of worry and anxiety. 'Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you'.  When I feel myself falling into a pit of uncertainty and my future lies uncertain, this Word upon my lap is the hope and the promise I cling to. As I read through scripture there are promises for specific seasons of life. And I claim them as I pray. "Remember [THIS] Word to Your servant upon which You have caused me to hope". 

 A few weeks ago, around a table, the discussion came up regarding the inerrancy of the word of God. Is the Word of God factual in the information it presents? As we began our short but loud discussion, I was riled up. Why was I riled up? Because I could not defend my point of view well. I did not know the origin story well. Just bits I've heard from others.  I did not know how the Word of God came to be for myself.  So here we are -- 

I do believe in the inerrancy of God's Word. And because it is factual and true, Scripture is reliable. And because God's Word is reliable, we can trust this Word.   I am taking a deep dive into background of this Scripture. Things I hope to address in the next few posts. 

1. How scripture came to be:  history behind the Word of God we hold in our hands. 

    - New Testament 

    - Old Testament

2. Why not other books? Why are books not added to this collection? 

3. Can we trust the historical books in our Bible? 

4. What is Biblical inerrancy? Does translations and language differences result in Biblical errancy? 

5. Finally, knowing what I know, how does it redefine my perspective on Scripture?  

Hope this is helpful as I navigate my understanding. And I hope I can complete this over the course of the next few months... 

Sheba