Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/9/2006

Question
Pastor

When you say that every word of the Bible is God-breathed, does this mean that you can, or that all of us should be able to, understand it literally? Aren't there passages that are baffling (if beautiful)? I'm thinking, of course, about passages such as "Now we see through a glass, darkly"

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Answer
Hi Rafey,

Thanks for this great question.  Our ability to understand the Bible in no way diminishes the truth of the Bible.  Every word of scripture is inspired which means literally "God-Breathed"

2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Since every word is true, and should be taken normally rather than symbolically, it stands to reason that our finite minds will not understand every word uttered by an infinite God.

Isaiah 55:8-11

  8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 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.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don