A brief word at the beginning of each post will help keep the purpose of these posts in mind as this blog goes forward. If you haven’t read the introductory post, I suggest that you take the time to do it before reading on. I am keeping the posts short so that they can be quickly read and digested. It is my hope that you will reflect on these articles and put them to the test. When you encounter something that seems counter to everything you have been taught or know to be true…remember the assignment….smile…be a Berean
In the last post we examined 2Tim 3:15-17 and found that the scripture is only profitable for a redemptive and gospel purpose. This has been the focus of all of the previous posts so far and, a case is building for a paradigm shift concerning scripture use.
I can remember my days at youth meetings…I know it has been a while but, I can still remember it. One of the activities that we used to participate in was a sword drill. We would stand in a line with our scriptures in the air and the facilitator would give us a scripture reference, book, chapter and, verse…and then, he/she would say draw swords charge and we would race each other to find the verse and the first one to find it would be the winner and would read the verse. I recall this to illustrate that the bible is called the sword of the spirit or, the sword, by many evangelicals. One of my favorite electronic bibles is e-sword called that because of this connotation of the word sword.
One passage that has caused this notion is Hebrews 4:12. Here again is a verse that is taken out of its context to arrive at a meaning not supported by reading the scripture itself. This verse must be seen in a greater context and the meaning of the word of God used in Heb 4:12 is explicitly defined and, it is definitely not the scripture.
Heb 4:12-16 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (14) Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (15) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
There can be no other interpretation. In this instance the passage is speaking of Jesus himself.
Please feel free to comment.
I do agree that this passage is speaking of Jesus, except verse 12; is it not speaking of the scripture? You say that it is not the scripture, but "word" is in lower case, and I would conclude that this verse is speaking about the Bible. When "Word" is captilized, it is my thought this is Jesus.
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