Inerrancy and Faith

It is interesting how independent and differing sources can help to guide you to the same conclusion.  I recently finished the book Taking God at His Word by Kevin DeYoung on the suggestion of a friend and brother in Christ who was having members of his church read it.  After finishing the book and contemplating my review of it for this blog post, I found myself watching a great video on apologiatv featuring Dr. James White as he refuted critics on discerning how we can determine what does or does not belong in the Bible.  In fairness to Dr. White, you should listen to the video linked above.  I have oversimplified what was spoken there and it is indeed well worth listening to if you are one who believes the scriptures are "theopneustos" or "God breathed".  As he spoke during this interview, Dr. White explained that many of the young people who grow up in churches today are not taught the history of the church and the reality of how the Bible was preserved by God for His people.  Many of these young people go off to college believing that the bible simply fell out of heaven in a calf skin cover with verse and chapter references ready to go.  Once they get to college, these beliefs are challenged and easily dispelled by those who desire to make shipwreck of the faith.
I agree with Dr. White, it is imperative that we begin early on in the life of believers to not only teach them what the word of God says, but demonstrate how He has given us His word so that when they go out into the world--for we cannot remain in a cocoon separated from the world if we are to live out our mandate to make disciples and be witnesses--they are able to stand firm.

This leads me to my review of Taking God at His Word. While Dr. White is correct about the need to understand where the Bible comes from and how we have received it today, it is also important for us to understand that the Bible is actually the inspired, "God Breathed" word of God.  For me, this question is a dividing line for believers: "Is the Bible truly God's word?".  It is clear from reading DeYoung's book that if we cannot answer emphatically, "YES!" to that question, then we open the word of God--and by default our faith in it its promises--up to criticism and ourselves to doubt.

As far as books on topics like Biblical innerancy and theology go, this book is actually written in a manner that is easily understandable to the average person.  This does not mean that it is oversimplified or that it does not deal with weighty matters--it does.  What I mean is that it is short enough and simplified enough for the average church member to read and understand without turning into a year long research project.  I managed to read it in about 5 or 6 hours.  While simple and easy to read, it is filled with sound doctrine and scripture references to demonstrate that DeYoung is not just throwing out his own opinion about the Bible.  He spends time demonstrating that this is what the Bible actually teaches about God and His word.  It is in the strength and stability of God's promises on which we stand that we find comfort, grace, strength, counsel, and light.

So, if you are one who needs to be reminded that the truths contained in scripture are trustworthy or if you are one who questions the veracity of the Bible as just the writing of some old men who couldn't possibly have heard from God, this is a book you would do well to read.  DeYoung starts by explaining why we should read and take God at his word.  He begins with this scripture, "My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. (Psalm 119:167).  DeYoung then explains that Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and that 169 of the 176 verses in this psalm say something about love of God's word.  It is DeYoung's desire to have us, the reader, begin with this love poem of sorts from the psalmist about his love for God's word.  He wants us to read that psalm--and our Bibles--and have our hearts cry be "Yes! Yes!" as we read His words to us.  I think far too often I am on the other end of the spectrum, not that of the skeptic for I know His word is true, but that of "Ho Hum."  I take for granted that these are the very words of God to His people.  These words are a guide to the blind, a light unto my path, a love poem from the father to His children, a promise from He who never changes to save and preserve His people.

DeYoung moves from his desire to see us embrace the Bible with a "Yes! Yes!" passion to an explanation of how we can stand firm in our embracing of the scriptures.  Again, it is a book I would recommend to anyone who needs a refresher on why we hold tightly to His word.  It is my hearts cry that I would not neglect reading God's word and that in the reading of it I would find my heart stirred with the "Yes! Yes!" of one who knows the sweetness of the Father's love, kindness, and mercy.