by G. D. Andreano
The Problem of “the Word”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – Jhn 1:1
I’ve read many Evangelical Protestant criticisms about Roman Catholicism (and/or any opposing Protestant denomination whatsoever), and I keep seeing the same false presuppositions within nearly all of them:
1. The Bible is the “Word of God.”
2. The Bible has intrinsic authority.
3. The Bible is self-interpretative.
There are too many Christians today calling the Bible the “Word of God.” This is a problem, because it overshadows the traditional understanding of the “Logos” being Christ. The Word of God is the person of Christ, not an inanimate object. Christ did not depart His flesh in Gutenberg.
The “Word” mentioned in Hebrews 4:12 is not about the book of Hebrews itself, it is about the person mentioned in verse 8 and verse 14. The scriptures could only be called “word” insofar as they are connected to Christ Himself, who is the Word. Therefore, the Bible is only true because Christ is truth incarnate, and the Bible directs you to the person of Christ. The Bible’s authority is extrinsically dependent upon an outside source (Christ and His Church), not intrinsically self-authoritative.
Thus, the Bible is not an end in of itself, but rather a means to an end.
Read Part 5: The Problem with the Canon of Scripture HERE
The Problem of the Bible as “the Word”
Interesting viewpoint I never have considered when I hear that. I totally agree “the Bible is not an end in of itself, but rather a means to an end”