The Words and the Word

Bibel in Brunkeberg kyrkje

          On occasion I come into discussions about the validity of God's Word in its present form. There are arguments that suggest that the written word is incorrect in its dealing with natural sciences, that the sources of knowledge are influenced by other documents from antiquity. There are other arguments that the world view presented is outdated and can not hold true to modern standards. Inconsistencies exist, they assert, contradictions, together with a confusing image of justice and compassion on behalf of God, as he lets war and destruction occur in the stories of old. Questions are raised about the validity of Paul's teachings in the New Testament - and the list goes on.

           I often wonder what the real purpose is behind the critical eye. Some may think, and hope, it is a genuine search for truth, a real and open scientific inquiry, which will lead to better insight, perhaps - insight in to the soul of man and the heart of God.

           I must admit that, although I would readily admire such a sentiment, I find it naive. The admiration for academia is such that one still believes it has no drive, no politics, no will to power, no intention, other than to truly seek out the real. With a blind eye to any underlying aim, any drive in the hypotheses to undermine the authority of God's Word, one ends up in a quagmire of relative statements, of uncertainty, of unsettled wondering - what can I believe? What is true?

           Language is incomplete and fallible. Languages are restricted. Naturally are there inconsistencies in a language, and in the use of it. As such, it is a miracle that God communicates with us through language and that we may be able to under stand and respond.

Bible procession

          The truth is, what God has said, and what he speaks though the word by his Holy Spirit, is always valid - no matter what anyone does to his recorded word. You may burn all the bibles, but the word of God is still his word. What he has said, he has said. No act of man can change that.

          But God's Word is more than recorded vocabulary about events and encounters between God and humans. God's Word is more than what is contained in human language.

          As I said, God's Word is more than the written words. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the Alfa and Omega, the beginning and end. He is a being, and in the present.

A couple of days ago I listened to a lecture by Fr.Robert Barron, and the way he spoke of Jesus Christ, of the two natures in Christ - the fully human and the fully divine - as the underlying principle through which we see and understand all things in our Christian World view, was settling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp21zP50cSE&feature=youtu.be

(Fr. Robert Barron:

Lecture given at Duke U., March 19, 2015

Topic: "Faithful and Intelligent.

The Catholic intellectual tradition and view.")