Scripture: It's All or Nothing (by Daniel Mann)

A blog-response to a Christian who believe that we have the authority and ability to pick-and-choose which Scriptures are truly inspired:

Either the Bible is God-breathed Scripture or it isn’t. If it isn’t, then I don’t need it. If it is, then I can’t do without it, and I can’t sit in judgment over it.

In contrast to this, you wrote, “Every person every day determines what is true by sifting through what other people say or write--people who are fallen and not perfect. Even if the Biblical writers were in error on some points, it wouldn't prevent us from determining truth on other points.”

In essence, what you are saying is “I am smart enough to determine what parts of Scripture represent Divine wisdom and which verses fall short of this standard.” However, if you do possess such discernment, then you don’t need Scripture at all. If you can penetrate its truth and wisdom with your own mind, then you are above Scripture. This stance is more presumptuous than me editing the research of an astrophysicist. Although I might be able to understand the terminology, I certainly wouldn’t be able to determine whether the researcher had understood and assimilated all the foundational research correctly. Perhaps a more appropriate example might be one of a 1st grader correcting his math teacher. Our very need for Scripture is undergirded by the fact that we are desperately lost without it, while our picking-and-choosing which verses we will follow represents a denial of that need and the God who gave them.

Interestingly, there are several criteria that the books of Scripture give us to determine what truly is from God and what isn’t. However, while our wisdom is very important when it comes to the question of interpretation, wisdom and intelligence alone are never set forth as criteria to determine what is from God and what is coming from a false teacher or prophet. Here are several examples:
· “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deut. 13:1-5)

· “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” (Deut. 18:21-22).

· “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3-4)

· Even Jesus stated, “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." (John 10:37-38)

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