When we speak of the Word of God, what do we mean? And how can we know that the books in our Bible are the books God intended us to have? These questions matter because we are assigning enormous authority to Scripture. If these words are to shape our beliefs, choices, and lives, we should have confidence that what we possess really is the Word God has given us.
The Word of God
The Word of God first refers to a person. Revelation 19:13 calls Jesus Christ “The Word of God,” and John begins his Gospel with the remarkable statement, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Later John tells us, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Jesus is therefore the supreme revelation of God. If you want to know what the Father is like, look at the Son. In His person, words, and works, Jesus reveals the character and purposes of God.
But Scripture also speaks of the Word of God as God’s speech. We see this in several forms.
First, there are God’s decrees. God speaks, and things happen. In Genesis 1:3, God says, “Let there be light,” and light comes into being. Psalm 33:6 tells us that the heavens were made by the word of the Lord. God’s words do not merely communicate information; they accomplish His purposes.
Second, God speaks through personal address. He spoke directly to Adam and Eve in the garden. He spoke to Israel when He gave the commandments. At the baptism of Jesus, the Father declared from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). When God speaks, His words carry absolute authority.
Third, God speaks through human beings. In the Old Testament, He raised up prophets to communicate His words. In the New Testament, He gave authority to the apostles. God told Moses that He would put His words into the mouth of His prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18). To claim falsely to speak for God was therefore a serious matter.
Finally, God gave His words in written form. This is especially important for us because the written Scriptures provide a permanent and accessible record of God’s revelation.
The Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone. Moses later wrote down God’s laws, and other prophets were commanded to record what God revealed to them. These writings could be preserved, copied, examined, studied, and passed from one generation to another.
This is why the written Word is so important to us today.
Living by the Word
Scripture is not simply information to be studied. God intends His Word to transform the way we see reality and the way we live.
Our culture constantly presents us with a story about what is real, important, and desirable. We absorb these messages almost without realizing it. If we are not careful, we begin to adopt the assumptions of the surrounding culture simply because we hear them repeatedly.
The Word of God offers us another story. This is why we must become people who are steeped in Scripture. Joshua was told to meditate on the book of the law “day and night” (Joshua 1:8). Psalm 1 similarly describes the blessed person as one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on it continually. We need this because spiritual truth is surprisingly easy to forget. An insight that seems powerful today may fade within a few days. Our minds therefore need continual renewal.
This does not mean that we must become spiritual marathon runners overnight. Begin simply. Read a passage carefully. Carry a verse with you through the day. Memorize a text and return to it when your mind is free. Ask why the author placed a particular statement where he did. Learn to practice the presence of God throughout the day rather than limiting your awareness of Him to a short devotional time.
As Deuteronomy 32:47 says of God’s words, “It is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life.”
The Canon of Scripture
This brings us to another question: Which writings actually belong in Scripture?
The word canon refers to the collection of books that belong in the Bible. The Old Testament canon developed historically as God revealed His Word through His appointed servants. It began with Moses. God then authorized others to add further revelation. Joshua “wrote these words in the book of the law of God” (Joshua 24:26). Samuel also recorded words from God. Jeremiah was commanded to write the words God had spoken to him. Thus, the Old Testament canon grew as God continued to reveal Himself through His prophets.
This process came to an end during the fifth century BC. The final Old Testament prophets included Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Later Jewish writings indicate an awareness that the prophetic voice had ceased and that the people were waiting for another prophet.
This is important when we consider the books commonly called the Apocrypha. These books were known to the Jewish people and can be valuable for understanding history and language. But they were not regarded by the Jews as having the same authority as the Hebrew Scriptures. They did not claim the same prophetic authority, and the New Testament writers did not treat them as Scripture. Jesus and the New Testament authors repeatedly appealed to the Old Testament as authoritative. There are hundreds of quotations and references to the Old Testament in the New Testament, yet the Apocrypha is never cited as divinely authoritative Scripture.
There are therefore four important reasons for distinguishing the thirty-nine books of our Old Testament from the Apocrypha. The apocryphal books do not claim the same prophetic authority; the Jewish people did not receive them as the Word of God; Jesus and the New Testament writers did not treat them as Scripture; and some of their teachings are inconsistent with the rest of biblical revelation.
This does not mean that these writings have no value. They can be useful historical resources. But usefulness and divine authority are not the same thing.
An Open Heart and an Open Bible
Why does all of this matter?
It matters because we need confidence that the Bible we hold contains the revelation God intended His people to receive. We are not dealing merely with interesting ancient literature. We are dealing with words that reveal who God is, who we are, and how we are called to live. Francis Schaeffer summarized the matter well: God is there, and He is not silent.
Our response, then, should be both intellectual and personal. We should examine the Scriptures carefully and have good reasons for trusting them. But we must also allow them to examine us. The best thing we can do is show up with an open heart and an open Bible. When you open the Scriptures, open yourself to God as well. Ask the Spirit of God to illuminate His Word and expose the places where your thinking needs to change. Read not merely to acquire information but to encounter truth, renew your mind, and become increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.
You do not need to be a Bible scholar to begin. You simply need to come attentively, consistently, and expectantly.
God has spoken. Our privilege is to listen.
To explore this topic more deeply and discover how to thoughtfully answer the questions below, subscribe to Ken Boa Reflections on Substack.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Jesus as the living Word of God deepen the way you approach the written Word of God?
- If God has chosen to communicate His truth through human words, what does this suggest about the attention and authority you should give to Scripture in your daily life?
- What gives you confidence that the books included in the canon of Scripture are the writings God intended His people to receive as His authoritative Word?
- In what area of your life is God’s Word presently calling you to move beyond simply knowing the truth to trusting and obeying it?
