Authority of Bible

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Why are we doing a series on the attributes of God's Word? Because it is God' Word! The bible is the ultimate criterion or authority we look to in ethics and Christian decision making, as well as interpreting His creation.What I want to focus on this time is the authority of God's written Word.

 Scripture has unique authority because it is God's Word. Divine authorship is the primary reason the bible is authoritative. The Westminster Confession of Faith states:
The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church,; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word Of God. (WCF 1.4)

Its authority is absolute because God's authority is absolute, and Scripture is His personal word to us. It is normative in that it tells us what to do and what not to do...in order to flesh out what loving God and others looks like. Influential evangelical theologians have been downplaying the significance of the normative role of Scripture as well as its inerrancy. These are brilliant men, but they apparently fell asleep in basic logic class...commit more fallacies than you can shake a stick at.

God's authority is His right to tell His creatures what they must do, and not do.7,000 times in the English bible God is referred to as Lord--Jesus tells us that our response to His Lordship is expressed, in large measure, in our bowing before the authority of His Word (John 14:15). God's control is about might; authority is about right. God made us (Gen. 1-3, heck, the WHOLE bible!!)-therefore He has the lawful right to give us norms to govern our behavior. The authority of the Bible is connected with God's Lordship, and HIS absolute authority over us. Let me mention three aspects of God's (and His written Word) absolute authority.

God's authority is absolute...means that we should not doubt or question it. In Romans 4:16-22 Paul says that Abraham did not waver in his belief in God's promise--even though both he and Sarah were way past the age of having children.Nonetheless, Abraham clung to God's authoritative Word, and so should we.

Second, the absoluteness of God's authority means that His Lordship transcends all other loyalties. We are to love our parents, but we are to love and honor Him more (Matt. 10:34-38)

Third, the absoluteness of God's authority means that it covers all of human life. Paul says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) God has the rightful authority to govern all areas of human life. (we will elaborate on this next time regarding the comprehensiveness of scripture)

Application 1  Regarding paranormal phenomena, we must not doubt or waver in our conviction that it is demonic. No matter how convincing it appears otherwise, we must walk by faith, and not by sight--as Abraham did.

Application 2 The paranormal community is what sociologists call a "plausibility structure"...providing peer pressure which makes demonic deception appear exceptionally plausible. But our loyalty to Christ transcends whatever our friends may think.

Application 3 The absolute authority of God's Word has jurisdiction over all people and over all areas of human life...including what we believe. (as we saw last time) In what you believe about paranormal phenomena, and how you respond to it, are you earnestly trying to glorify God? God's rule over us through His Word is totalitarian. He rules every aspect of our lives,and He wants His Lordship recognized in every nook and cranny of our lives...and of the entire planet. Obviously, His Lordship is totalitarian in a good way--He desires to extend the blessing of His presence throughout the Earth and in every aspect of human life.

Common Demon and Angel Myths (Part 1)

By Lisa Grace

All beliefs held by the author are from a Holy Scripture (Bible) point of view as it is the ultimate authority on how the supernatural world works.

1. The one that bothers me the most is when people pray to angels. Nowhere in the Holy Scriptures does it say we should pray to anyone other than God. There are many Biblical proofs for the triune aspect of God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We commonly pray the "Lords' Prayer" (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2),  Jesus also says to pray in His name: John 14:13, John 15:16, John 16:23 & 26)

We are not to pray to angels or any man, which is a violation of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2 - 20:5). When I hear people praying to anyone other than the Father, Son or Holy Spirit, it breaks my heart. We have no need of intercessors, and elevates these intercessors to the level of God, the only one worthy of prayer.

We can ask God to send His angels, but there is no need reason to pray to them. They follow His command only.

2. Demons and angels cannot be killed. In cases of "hauntings" or possession, we can ask/force them to move on. But not everyone can. Only those who believe and meet certain requirements can drive out demons. With many of the movies coming out lately, it may lead you to believe they can be destroyed, by man, but they can't. (1 Cor 6:3, Rev 19:20, Rev 20).

See Angel Myths (Part 2)

Ghost Hunting as a Hobby

By Lisa Grace

All the TV shows focusing on the paranormal are a mixed blessing. In one way they confirm to those having supernatural experiences that they are not crazy. On the other hand, it makes getting “help” that much harder as most who want to investigate are doing nothing more than playing with fire, and not interested in curing the problem at all.

Most demons and evil angels are bound to earth and condemned to wandering it. That means when you do drive them out, they go somewhere else. You can have little or no control where they can go.

Demons cannot be driven out by just anyone. Demons can and do possess people which is why “ghost hunting” is dangerous. They can and do attach to those who are curious. Curiosity interacting with them, shows you are “open”, which is basically giving them an invitation to attach for further and future interaction.

Many “pretend” to have been human. It makes them appear less threatening.

Once you know there is a demon present, what should be done?

Go to your local Holy Scripture believing church, and have them direct you to a professional non-publicity seeking pastor who can help rid you of these creatures. There is usually more than one.

If you are not a true believer in Jesus Christ, there is a possibility they will return and bring stronger ones back with them. Even the scriptures say, “The demons believe and tremble.”

Unless you have accepted Him as your personal Savior, you are not safe; and even if you have, you can still be attacked.

The paranormal should be recognized, but it is not something to play with. As the saying goes, “Those that play with fire tend to get burned.”