What is meant by the phrase “the Word of God”? This phrase has several different usages in the bible.
The Word of God as a person: Jesus Christ
There are a few occasions where the phrase “the Word” or “the Word of God” refers to Jesus Christ. This indicates that among the members of the Trinity it is especially God the Son who in his person as well as in his words has the role of communicating the character of God to us and of expressing the will of God for us.
The Word of God as Speech by God
There are several distinct modes by which the spoken words of God have been encountered.
- God’s Decrees
A decree of God is a word from God that causes something to happen. Everything was created and is sustained by God’s decrees. (Hebrews 1:3)
- God’s Words of direct, personal address
There are many, many examples in the bible of God talking directly with people – Adam & Eve (and later, Cain), Abraham, Moses. In the New Testament Jesus obviously spoke with many people directly. Additionally however, God’s voice was heard four times – Three times by God the Father concerning Jesus (At his baptism, at the transfiguration, and at Palm Sunday) and finally when God the Son spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus
It was clear to the hearers of these words that they were the very words of God: Words of absolute divine authority and trustworthy. To disobey these words would have been to disobey God and therefore sinful. Although the actual words of God they are also “human” words in that they are spoken in our language. Some have argued that these words are somehow inferior - less authoritative or true - because human language is itself imperfect and therefore any message conveyed via this medium is also limited in its authority or truthfulness. However the scriptures do not indicate any limitations in God’s spoken word.
- God’s Words through human lips
Much of the Old Testament is taken up with God speaking to people through prophets. Again these words are spoken in human language but are in no way diminished. God gave several warnings both in the old and new testaments (Deuteronomy 18:19,20, 2 Peter 1:20,21) that the words of a prophet are to be taken as His words. Similarly, anyone falsely claiming to be speaking in the name of God was to be severely punished. God’s words are serious business, and not to be trifled with.
The Word of God in Written Form (the Bible)
There are a few occasions recorded in the Bible when God wrote words, initially and principally at Mount Sinai when God gave the 10 commandments on two tablets of stone. Further writing was done by Moses, Joshua, Isaiah and Jeremiah. In the New Testament Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help his disciples remember the words which he, Jesus, had spoken. Paul claimed his words to the Corinthians were “a command of the lord” and Peter validated that Paul’s words were on a par with the “old testament” scriptures (2 Peter 3:15, 16).
The focus of study in Systematic Theology is the Word of God in Written Form. It is available for study, for public inspection, for repeated examination and as a basis for mutual discussion. It points us towards God. The other forms of the Word of God are not available to us in this manner:
- The person of Jesus Christ is no longer with us on earth and so we cannot observe, learn from or imitate him firsthand.
- We do not hear God’s words of decree and thus cannot study them directly, only indirectly through observing their effects.
- If we heard God speak directly, personally to us, would we have the certainty that our understanding, memory and reporting of it would be accurate? I believe the answer is yes – as those in the bible who heard God directly didn’t have such problems – but would we be able to convince others that God spoke directly to us? There are some who believe that God has stopped speaking to us through human lips.
Omitted by Grudem
The topic of the word of God is handled specifically only by Grudem. He mentions that other “general” revelations of God – e.g. through creation – are not the word of God and thus are not included here but will be covered later. However it seems to me he has entirely excluded another medium of the Word of God – Visions and dreams. I must figure out why this has been omitted by Grudem. A novice like me wouldn’t find something that an experienced theologian – and all his readers (the book was first published decades ago and has undergone revisions and reprints) – would just miss.
The Word of God in Visions and Dreams
There are several examples in both testaments of God’s voice being heard by people in visions and dreams – Jacob, Isaiah, Ananias, Peter and John. This medium for the word of God could therefore be considered within direct, personal address from God. This seems worth separating out on its own because the bible itself mentions that in the future God will communicate through visions and dreams, and there are countless accounts today – notably from middle eastern countries (and not all from believers) - of people seeing and hearing Jesus in dreams. Therefore this form of communication appears to still be used today. However in stating this I have ventured away from studying purely God’s word and this must therefore be treated very carefully – if even deemed acceptable.
Questions for personal application
1 Do you think you would pay more attention if God spoke to you from heaven or through the voice of a living prophet than if he spoke to you from the written words of Scripture? Do you think your present level of response to the written words of Scripture is an appropriate one? What positive steps can you take to make your attitude toward Scripture more like the kind of attitude God wants you to have?
I’m not sure! I suspect not – if I heard God speaking to me directly I may well pay more attention initially but I fear that my attention would drift and wane over time. I feel my present level of response is not appropriate: It is inadequate. I don’t always treat the bible as the very words of God – which they are. What steps can I take to improve my attitude? Spend more time in study of the word, i.e. treat it as it deserves. This will help my approach to it as I read it in a more general basis (e.g. daily reading).
2 When you think about the many ways in which God speaks and the frequency with which God communicates with his creatures through these means, what conclusions might you draw concerning the nature of God and the things that bring delight to Him?
First God issued decrees – and the world came into being. Then he walked with us and talked with us directly, but when sin entered the world God withdrew but continued to speak directly with individuals. In order to have more people hear his voice he also began to speak to many through prophets. Eventually, God returned to earth physically as the God-man Jesus Christ. Once again we could hear his voice directly – and see the example he set for us. After Jesus returned to heaven he sent God the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and speak to us by revealing truths to us.
God is a God who wants to be in relationship with us. God is a God who wants us to know him, honour and follow him by obeying his laws and giving him the glory. God delights in us drawing closer to him as we obey him. God was so delighted with Jesus while here on earth that the Father intervened directly from heaven and spoke “This is my Son, with whom I am pleased. Listen to Him”. God wanted those present to bring him delight as well, and advised on how best to achieve this – listen to what Jesus was telling them.
What’s going to change after reading this chapter?
My time spent in serious, genuine bible study. I’m going to make a habit of prayerfully studying the bible.
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