What is "God's Word?"

[biblestudent78]

I would like to explore your definition of "God's Word."

As a practical matter each denomination constrain their seminarians to the limits of their established "statement of faith" Thus, by contract they can never say anything not approved by a brittle theology dating to the 16th-18th century, but we must accept what they teach is "God's Word."

I contend it is just a parroting of dogmas invented long ago and by mutual contract the definition of God's Word will be strictly limited to what our Creeds, Doctrines, Dogmas and Church history filter. Many or most were curated in distinct geographies. Calvinism in France and Switzerland. Lutheranism in Germany and Scandinavia. Anglicanism and Methodism in England. Presbyterians in Scotland.

For the vast majority of 20th Century Christianity God's Word, the Word of God is just the ancient voices of petty theologists of state and anti-state battles and vicious political persecutions of the sects that today we parrot. Each totally rejected the Word of God according to their competition.

In America unique God's Word arose from the Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7th Adventists and the two founding branches of Pentecostalism.

Given that none agree on that is in or out of God's Word and each defines God's Word individually and exclusively, how do each of us view the Word of God? What is your definition?

 

[Ceph]

Where one person who only knows English, and another person who knows only Chinese, understand the same exact thing about God from the scriptures they've read in their own languange across the globe, that is the word of God.

 

[Gideon300]

I would like to explore your definition of "God's Word."

As a practical matter each denomination constrain their seminarians to the limits of their established "statement of faith" Thus, by contract they can never say anything not approved by a brittle theology dating to the 16th-18th century, but we must accept what they teach is "God's Word."

I contend it is just a parroting of dogmas invented long ago and by mutual contract the definition of God's Word will be strictly limited to what our Creeds, Doctrines, Dogmas and Church history filter. Many or most were curated in distinct geographies. Calvinism in France and Switzerland. Lutheranism in Germany and Scandinavia. Anglicanism and Methodism in England. Presbyterians in Scotland.

For the vast majority of 20th Century Christianity God's Word, the Word of God is just the ancient voices of petty theologists of state and anti-state battles and vicious political persecutions of the sects that today we parrot. Each totally rejected the Word of God according to their competition.

In America unique God's Word arose from the Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7th Adventists and the two founding branches of Pentecostalism.

Given that none agree on that is in or out of God's Word and each defines God's Word individually and exclusively, how do each of us view the Word of God? What is your definition?

The existing canon of scripture in the original languages. That does not include the apocryphal writings.

 

[Aaron56]

Ultimately, God’s Word is Christ Jesus, the Lord.

 

[rewriter]

According to scripture, Jesus is God's word. Scripture contains words from God, but also words form humans by its own admission. Creeds, confessions and statements of faith are all of human origin, often politically influenced, even the so-called Apostle's Creed which seems to have originated in Rome in the early 2nd century.

 

[dkontner]

Jesus is the word made flesh... It's alive... It's referred to as a 'person' many times in God's word. He has preserved it (if you can find it).

Hebrews 4:12-13​

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Psalm 12:6-7​

6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

2 Corinthians 2:17​

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

 

[tablet123]

I would like to explore your definition of "God's Word."

As a practical matter each denomination constrain their seminarians to the limits of their established "statement of faith" Thus, by contract they can never say anything not approved by a brittle theology dating to the 16th-18th century, but we must accept what they teach is "God's Word."

I contend it is just a parroting of dogmas invented long ago and by mutual contract the definition of God's Word will be strictly limited to what our Creeds, Doctrines, Dogmas and Church history filter. Many or most were curated in distinct geographies. Calvinism in France and Switzerland. Lutheranism in Germany and Scandinavia. Anglicanism and Methodism in England. Presbyterians in Scotland.

For the vast majority of 20th Century Christianity God's Word, the Word of God is just the ancient voices of petty theologists of state and anti-state battles and vicious political persecutions of the sects that today we parrot. Each totally rejected the Word of God according to their competition.

In America unique God's Word arose from the Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7th Adventists and the two founding branches of Pentecostalism.

Given that none agree on that is in or out of God's Word and each defines God's Word individually and exclusively, how do each of us view the Word of God? What is your definition?

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

People follow people as great leaders but I do not go by what people say when we have the Bible which for certain will not have any straying from the truth.

Why do I need to listen to them when I can find out myself which I believe I will understand more better and clearly.

Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Catholic Church which they did not get rid of their pagan and occult ways and it became their foundation for interpreting scriptures

Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Protestant movement.

They had a different doctrine but they still held on to some things of the Catholic Church that was wrong.

The 7 Churches is a prophetic statement of how the Church age will go in popular influence.

And the Protestant movement when they broke away did not have it completely right.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Now the truth was popular again for Jesus did not have anything against them and said He will deliver them from the temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them.

How can the same temptation tempt all the world at the same time.

It is when the world says peace and safety as the nations come together to work for peace on earth and establish a system on a world wide level that is contrary to the operation of God.

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 3: 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Now we are at this Church age hypocrites and the prosperity Gospel.

Romans 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I do not worry so much what people say but I check it out myself which that is what God wants us to do.

If people did that then denominations that do not speak truth completely would not be so popular.

But they put out a blueprint for the people and some people will not check it out for themselves but go by what they say.

Or interpret scriptures according to what they say if they do read the Bible.

Or do not want to believe their denomination is wrong.

 

[biblestudent78]

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

People follow people as great leaders but I do not go by what people say when we have the Bible which for certain will not have any straying from the truth.

Why do I need to listen to them when I can find out myself which I believe I will understand more better and clearly.

Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Catholic Church which they did not get rid of their pagan and occult ways and it became their foundation for interpreting scriptures

Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Protestant movement.

They had a different doctrine but they still held on to some things of the Catholic Church that was wrong.

The 7 Churches is a prophetic statement of how the Church age will go in popular influence.

And the Protestant movement when they broke away did not have it completely right.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Now the truth was popular again for Jesus did not have anything against them and said He will deliver them from the temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them.

How can the same temptation tempt all the world at the same time.

It is when the world says peace and safety as the nations come together to work for peace on earth and establish a system on a world wide level that is contrary to the operation of God.

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 3: 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Now we are at this Church age hypocrites and the prosperity Gospel.

Romans 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I do not worry so much what people say but I check it out myself which that is what God wants us to do.

If people did that then denominations that do not speak truth completely would not be so popular.

But they put out a blueprint for the people and some people will not check it out for themselves but go by what they say.

Or interpret scriptures according to what they say if they do read the Bible.

Or do not want to believe their denomination is wrong.

It seems to me that you are saying that if everyone understood and interpreted the bible as you do all denominations would disappear? If your life experience is that you uniquely understand the bible, where are most other Christians wrong when they claim the same thing?

 

[biblestudent78]

The existing canon of scripture in the original languages. That does not include the apocryphal writings.

Gideon300
Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament? Even Luter kept the Apocrypha in his bible. It was in every Protestant Bible -if there is such a thing. The British and Foreign Bible Society dropped the Apocrypha from their English Bibles in 1804 and formalized this decision in 1827 to reduce printing costs. The Revised Version (RV), the 1885 revision of the King James Bible, formally removed the Apocrypha, sealing its omission from most subsequent Protestant editions. Which publisher made that decision? Today, 1.6 billion Christians still have the Apocrypha in their bibles.
Whose canon? Who determined the canon of which you speak? When did this happen? The word canon implies a unified set of limited writings. Was it always the same?

 

[biblestudent78]

A personal perspective:
When the bible refers to the Word of God. It is referring to messages that comes from God independent of the mode of transmission. It is all about the message not the mode of transmission. Thus, a text can transmit the Word of God, but itself is not the word of God.

Just like sound waves can transmit the word of God, but sound waves themselves are not the word of God.

The scriptures often refer to the Word of God that do not include God's Word. Paul often speaks of the next part of my writings does not come from God, but they come from me. So it’s Paul’s personal message. In other places there are quotes from outside the bible.

The bible transmits the word of God, but itself is not the word of God. Over the centuries the bible has been in some form of continuous edition. As more manuscript evidence comes to light there are continuous updated versions. Entire verses found in the KJV, such as Acts 8:37 or 1 John 5:7, are often missing from the main text of modern translations. Modern Bibles often include footnotes at the end of Mark 16 (verses 9–20) indicating that the oldest manuscripts lack this resurrection account.

References to foundational doctrines, such as the deity of Christ or the Blood of Christ, are sometimes altered. For example, modern translations frequently omit "through his blood" in Colossians 1:14. The "Johannine Error," widely known as the Johannine Comma (or Comma Johanneum) in 1 John 5:7–8, is an inserted clause that explicitly states: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." The corrected translation after removing the scribal mistranslation reads: "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement."This altered text was included in printed English Bibles for roughly 350 years, though it circulated in Latin manuscripts for over a millennium. It was determined that an ancient biblical scribe altered the actual Word of God to align with his theology.

Modern translator committees employ a contemporary, "thought-for-thought" (dynamic equivalence) or modern "word-for-word" (formal equivalence) approach to make the text immediately understandable to 21st century readers.

There are well over 100 complete but different English translations in print. As of June 2026, over 800 languages have at least a full Bible translation and none of which are an exact match word for word of our English translations just as there was not a word for word translation from ancient koine Greek to 21st century American English.

Thus, many have already begin to wrestle with the meaning of various texts. Hopefully this is with an open mind and not a knee jerk reaction to "protecting" our inherited or our self-educated version of God's Word. While many would claim the New Testament is inerrant or infallible on matters of the most importance in the New Testament, we all must be careful not insert our current understanding as the only interpretation plausible or possible. I have been a bible student for 72 yrs and my testimony is that I find new insights and hopefully better a understanding of the Bible continuously. Humility and reverence for our ability to fully grasp the Will of God is a requirement. Otherwise the New Testament quit communicating with us just as soon as you claim to know it all.

 

[GWH]

I would like to explore your definition of "God's Word."

As a practical matter each denomination constrain their seminarians to the limits of their established "statement of faith" Thus, by contract they can never say anything not approved by a brittle theology dating to the 16th-18th century, but we must accept what they teach is "God's Word."

I contend it is just a parroting of dogmas invented long ago and by mutual contract the definition of God's Word will be strictly limited to what our Creeds, Doctrines, Dogmas and Church history filter. Many or most were curated in distinct geographies. Calvinism in France and Switzerland. Lutheranism in Germany and Scandinavia. Anglicanism and Methodism in England. Presbyterians in Scotland.

For the vast majority of 20th Century Christianity God's Word, the Word of God is just the ancient voices of petty theologists of state and anti-state battles and vicious political persecutions of the sects that today we parrot. Each totally rejected the Word of God according to their competition.

In America unique God's Word arose from the Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7th Adventists and the two founding branches of Pentecostalism.

Given that none agree on that is in or out of God's Word and each defines God's Word individually and exclusively, how do each of us view the Word of God? What is your definition?

GW = HS

 

[rewriter]

A personal perspective:
When the bible refers to the Word of God. It is referring to messages that comes from God independent of the mode of transmission. It is all about the message not the mode of transmission. Thus, a text can transmit the Word of God, but itself is not the word of God.

Just like sound waves can transmit the word of God, but sound waves themselves are not the word of God.



References to foundational doctrines, such as the deity of Christ or the Blood of Christ, are sometimes altered. For example, modern translations frequently omit "through his blood" in Colossians 1:14. The "Johannine Error," widely known as the Johannine Comma (or Comma Johanneum) in 1 John 5:7–8, is an inserted clause that explicitly states: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." The corrected translation after removing the scribal mistranslation reads: "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement."This altered text was included in printed English Bibles for roughly 350 years, though it circulated in Latin manuscripts for over a millennium. It was determined that an ancient biblical scribe altered the actual Word of God to align with his theology.

Well for anyone who does enough research, this will identify me, but the Greek of 1 John 5:8 should not be translated as concluding "are in agreement" but rather "are one (thing)". I had a paper approved for an international conference on this exact passage with this conclusion. Unfortunately, recognizing what the Greek grammar calls for raises new questions.

 

[biblestudent78]

Well for anyone who does enough research, this will identify me, but the Greek of 1 John 5:8 should not be translated as concluding "are in agreement" but rather "are one (thing)". I had a paper approved for an international conference on this exact passage with this conclusion. Unfortunately, recognizing what the Greek grammar calls for raises new questions.

I agree with you about the better definition of the "one."

However,the real challenge for us today is the most important message of the book, IMHO We have been fathered (born and are His children) and everyone who loves God, loves His children,....for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. Our generation pretends that there is a secret escape hatch that means we do not have to follow God's commands other than those we segregate to prove we are "saved." All the rest are forbidden "works."

 

[biblestudent78]

GW = HS

You are seldom so succinct but maintain your gift for the obtuse.

 

[GWH]

Well for anyone who does enough research, this will identify me, but the Greek of 1 John 5:8 should not be translated as concluding "are in agreement" but rather "are one (thing)". I had a paper approved for an international conference on this exact passage with this conclusion. Unfortunately, recognizing what the Greek grammar calls for raises new questions.

What questions? They seem essentially synonymous to me.

 

[biblestudent78]

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

People follow people as great leaders but I do not go by what people say when we have the Bible which for certain will not have any straying from the truth.

Why do I need to listen to them when I can find out myself which I believe I will understand more better and clearly.

Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Catholic Church which they did not get rid of their pagan and occult ways and it became their foundation for interpreting scriptures

Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Protestant movement.

They had a different doctrine but they still held on to some things of the Catholic Church that was wrong.

The 7 Churches is a prophetic statement of how the Church age will go in popular influence.

And the Protestant movement when they broke away did not have it completely right.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Now the truth was popular again for Jesus did not have anything against them and said He will deliver them from the temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them.

How can the same temptation tempt all the world at the same time.

It is when the world says peace and safety as the nations come together to work for peace on earth and establish a system on a world wide level that is contrary to the operation of God.

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 3: 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Now we are at this Church age hypocrites and the prosperity Gospel.

Romans 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I do not worry so much what people say but I check it out myself which that is what God wants us to do.

If people did that then denominations that do not speak truth completely would not be so popular.

But they put out a blueprint for the people and some people will not check it out for themselves but go by what they say.

Or interpret scriptures according to what they say if they do read the Bible.

Or do not want to believe their denomination is wrong.

Given all other interpretations are wrong, what is your solution? I might note that from within many of these denominations there has arisen highly credited New Testament Scholars and New Testament scholarship is taught to all those seeking ordination.

Your Roman 17 inclusion is interesting. Paul preach only in the Jewish Synagogue for 3 weeks. Is it your position that the entire Word of God was communicated? If so, why is the Word of God you use require 66 entire books to communicate the complete Word of God. Paul never mentions much about the life of Jesus. He communicates that Jesus was a Jew in the line of David, that he had brothers and as far as we can tell, Paul taught the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus plus Jesus teaching about marriage. If that was all you knew about Jesus, would you believe you had heard all of God's Word?

 

[GWH]

You are seldom so succinct but maintain your gift for the obtuse.

To which you gave a thumb up, indicating that you prefer me obtuse?

 

[rewriter]

What questions? They seem essentially synonymous to me.

An agreement is usually verbal agreement or something similar. A thing is often a physical object. So, just to pick a physical object, would you call a rock essentially the same as an agreement about something?

Now I know I could use a rock to help enforce an agreement, agree or I will place the rock upside your head for example, but I don't consider them the same.

 

[GWH]

An agreement is usually verbal agreement or something similar. A thing is often a physical object. So, just to pick a physical object, would you call a rock essentially the same as an agreement about something?

Now I know I could use a rock to help enforce an agreement, agree or I will place the rock upside your head for example, but I don't consider them the same.

Agreement = unity = oneness

These “things” are not the same thing as a hard rock. Agreed?

 

[rewriter]

Agreement = unity = oneness

These “things” are not the same thing as a hard rock. Agreed?

I will agree that agreement implies at least a degree of unity or oneness, but also would you choose to express them with a phrase that is used to imply "thing" rather than one that directly implies "agreement"? The explanations that appear in commentaries that this is based on an Aramaic phrase are not supported by any Aramaic scholars that I am aware of, but I am aware of Greek scholars who accept the implication of "thing/object" over "agreement".