On the road this week, I’m sharing some “blasts from the past.” Here’s a post that gets looked at a lot.
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“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Is 55:11 KJV)
This verse is sometimes used to say that giving people a Bible is enough, for it is God’s Word and God’s Word will not return void. Personally, I don’t think that’s what this verse is saying. I think that “my word” here refers to God uttering a decree; when God says something it will happen.
Still I have long held to the belief that anyone can and should be able to understand the Bible on their own and, through that understanding, learn the truth and become a Christian. While still believing in the power of God’s Word, I have some doubts about that exact process. Here’s why:
- As I’ve been discussing recently, God’s Word was not originally delivered in book form, not originally distributed to the masses in book form as it is today. Therefore, that cannot have been God’s original plan. It could be a way for people to come to the truth, but it’s certainly not intended to be the most important way. In fact, this whole idea didn’t spring up until the last few centuries, when printed Bibles were readily available.
- The Bible never makes the claim that everyone can just read it and understand it. As troubling as that sounds, it’s true. Faith in biblical times was not built around people sitting at home reading God’s Word. They had to come together to do it. And they didn’t have trouble with the idea that someone would need to explain it.Look at Nehemiah 8, when Ezra stood and read the Book of the Law to the people following their return from exile. Notice that the Levites were explaining the meaning as Ezra read: “Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:7-9 ESV)Look also at the eunuch’s words in Acts 8: “So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30-31 ESV) Philip didn’t reprimand him saying: “Of course you can understand. Anyone can.” He taught him.
- I cannot think of even one example in the Bible where evangelism is done by giving someone a Bible. Again, look at Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch had the Bible in his hand, yet Philip was sent to teach him. I believe in the Bible and the power of the Bible. I just don’t see where God says, “Hand out these books and people will become Christians.”
God works through people and through relationships. He always sent a prophet. He didn’t just hand Moses a book. Jesus wrote no book. People need God’s Word, but “Bible-only” evangelism isn’t God’s way.
Very good, Tim. We have tried to take the personal, hands-on, face-to-face encounter out of evangelism. Can’t be done, not completely. One of the great, influencing factors for building faith in someone is the transformed character of the one doing the teaching and leading. Good post.
Words spoken by God always bear fruit in a powerful way; (Genesis: And God said, “Let there be…..” ). When we speak words in the Name of the Lord and believe He is Able, they are powerful and have a result (sooner or later). The tongue/words bear fruit for Life or Death. Actions (in words, attitudes, and behaviors) of faith or complete trust in God need to be demonstrated so people can see (our peace, love, joy, humility, nonjudgmental attitude) and learn from hearing our personal testimony of our relationship with Jesus Christ and our Creator. Passion for the Lord and the fruit of the Spirit is contagious.
I am amazed at the point that we still look back. By that i mean no one seems to want to look outside the box when it comes to God’s message.
Maybe, he wants us to look forward. Forward to space travel and understanding the universe. How he has given us this great machine we call the human body and we still have people living 3 score and 7. Science is on the verge of some amazing discoveries. Technology, is exploding, new frontiers are at the edge of our galaxy. The string theory,
Hubble telescope sending back pictures that are breath taking. All these things God has given us to engage in, discovering his magnificent universe. Do you really think he wants us to go over the same old things that so many have gone over, so many times before us. What’s the point? No matter how many times you go over it, chat about it
argue about it, does anything really change? Looking back changes nothing, its in the past. Looking forward we are able to change, make changes that effect lives of others and our own…..in my opinion
From 1st thru 8th grade my class memorized 2 passages from the bible every day. For years I was not close with my church and I assumed I forgot most of what I had learned. But with family and time the word and thoses passages became so alive and so much a part of me that I realized God blessed us all in that school. Never underestimate His power and that of his word and what it may do through you for others. tw
I find it odd that this is apparently not obvious to everyone. God has always taught thru people. Even Christ came from God in the form of man to teach us, to show us our connection to God.
I know many folks work long and diligently printing and packing and shipping Bibles all over the world. In many cases smuggling them into countries which have banded the book. And kudos to them for their effort and faith.
But bottom line that I see just at the moment is that God is God. He does not need us. He has no need of our praise, our works or our faith.
This is a one way relationship. God gives to us period. There is nothing we can do nor say nor think that can add one iota to his existence.
He gives, we receive. That’s it. I think it’s often hard for us to think this way because in this world we are always taught that everything is a deal. In this world there is always give and take.
But God is not of this world, he follows no rules that we have set down. If “The Lord God Almighty” had a middle name it might be enigma.
Even at his going off party Christ told the disciples that another would be sent “a comforter” to be with them. Again. “Personal contact”.
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess. Be a bit of a wait if we had to wait for everyone to read the Bible (even those willing and able to do so). We are also making more of us everyday. Not much chance of catching up with the whole lot of the human race no matter how hard we might try.
Please read my Dad’s blog. http://www.cowart.info/blog/
This is an ongoing post of what I think of as a pretty normal Christians life in a diary.