Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/29/2009

Question
Greetings,
Does the Bible contain both explicit and implicit statements--and if so are both considered to be the words of God?

Answer
EXPLICIT—

1. In some areas of life, God’s Word sets out explicit guidelines and directions, and we do well to follow them.

2. The Bible is explicit in reporting that miracles occurred in bygone days—miraculous healings, resurrections, and the like—yet it is just as explicit in explaining that such miracles no longer take place.

3. For instance--it has long been acknowledged that the Bible’s description of Egyptian slavery is accurate. The book Moses—A Life reports: “The biblical account of the oppression of the Israelites appears to be corroborated in one often-reproduced tomb painting from ancient Egypt in which the making of mud bricks by a gang of slaves is depicted in explicit detail.”

4. Compared to the some 600 laws given to ancient Israel, there are comparatively few explicit commands regulating Christian life. Hence, many matters are left to individual conscience.

5. One of the few explicit instructions given for Christians is to continue observing the Memorial of Christ’s death. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Colossians 2:16, 17)

6. In contrast to all the contradictory hypotheses and theories of men, the Bible appeals to reason through its explicit, harmonious account of the origin of mankind and its carefully documented history of God’s chosen people.

IMPLICIT—

The basic truths of God’s Word are not complicated. Jesus said: “I publicly praise you, Father, . . . because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes.” (Matthew 11:25) God has caused his purposes to be revealed to those with sincere and humble hearts. (1 Corinthians 1:26-28) Thus, simplicity is a key feature of Bible truth.

Fishermen and tax collectors got the sense of Jesus’ teaching, while highly educated religious leaders did not. Also Jesus further said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.” (John 6:44)

Romans 12:1) & Mark 12:30) “You must love God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ Paul speaks of such whole-souled service as a sacrifice. That expression contains an implicit warning. Under the Mosaic Law, a sacrifice that was blemished was rejected by God. (Leviticus 22:18-20) Similarly, if a Christian’s spiritual sacrifice is tainted in some way, it will be rejected by God.

In conclusion--

God’s written Word to humankind was written by some 40 human secretaries over a period of 16 centuries, but God himself actively directed the writing by his spirit. Thus the entire bible is inspired by God.

A large portion of the record is made up of actual pronouncements made by God and details as to the teachings and activities of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In these we find statements of God’s requirements for his servants and what he will do to bring his grand purpose for the earth to completion.

To deepen our appreciation for these things, God also preserved in the Bible a record demonstrating what happens when individuals and nations listen to God and work in harmony with his purpose, as well as the outcome when they go their own way. By means of this reliable historical record Jehovah acquaints us with his dealings with humankind and thus with his own marvellous personality.

2 Timothy 3;16,17—“ ALL scripture is inspired of God” (the explicit & the implicit)

All the best
Brenda