The Uniqueness Of The Bible?
55-2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Read the Context: 2Timothy 3
Ponder:
? What is "all Scripture?"
? What does "breathed out by God mean?"
? How varied and extensive is the "profitability" of Scripture?
? What does it take for a man of God to be "complete, equipped for every good work?"
jne: Of all the people in world history we, of the 21st Century, should realize the significance of "information." We are not only surrounded by it but are immersed in what has been called "The Information Age." But we should also recognize the many different kinds of information that constantly engulfs us.
The word "Bible" basically means "book, of authority." Thus we have hunters bibles, computer bibles, etc. And of course there are many different "scriptures" used by many different religions. But clearly the word "scripture" in this verse refers to the Bible texts of the Jews and Christians, the Old and New Testaments.
This verse, by the description of the Book being "breathed out by God" gives absolutely unique and authoritative authenticity to the Bible. This authenticity is not just claimed but is demonstrated by historical, grammatical, internal and external corroborating evidence. But it is also demonstrated by the effect it has on those who believe and obey it. The Bible teaches, reproves, corrects, and trains as it produces "people of God," who are "complete, equipped for every good work." The Bible accomplishes these things because it is not simply the ideas and advice of fellow humans but is truthful counsel from the heart and mind of the True God of all.