Let's Think About Preservation

This article is not written with the idea of trying to convince anyone to embrace my viewpoint. For a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. I realize the truth of the old adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” But I, like the old-timers, know you can give them a little salt and make them thirsty. I hope this essay does just that.

The purpose of The Journal, as most of you know, is to get people to think for themselves, to be independent thinkers, if you please. Paul tells us a man needs to be “fully persuaded in his own mind.” It is not learning something new that is so difficult, but unlearning the old. And so often pride, or position, keeps us from giving up the wrong for the right.

Think about it, all true Bible believers accept the fact God has preserved His Word. The question is, Where? When a young novice preacher asked a seasoned scholar this question, the old gentleman pointed to his book shelf and to a long row of translations, replying, “It’s in them.” But, an inquiring mind would wonder, who then is to decide what is, and what isn’t, the Word of God. If you leave it to individuals, even theologians, they all would come up with different opinions. Thus each would have their own private interpretation, which the Bible condemns. “Interpretations belong to God,” says Joseph. Not the Catholic Church or some evangelical Greek or Hebrew scholar.

God preserved the Living Word in one body, using human means, and He without error. He was not the closest thing to the Living Word of God; He was the authentic, 100%, Living Word of God.  

Therefore, we must ask ourselves the question, “Has God preserved His Written Word in one Book, having no error or any such thing?” Can there be a Book in the world that is its own interpreter, dictionary, and corrector of any human mistakes in the compiling of it (like a computer does)? I personally think so. And as Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book”

God promised to preserve His Words, not just His Word (Psalm 12:6-7). “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” If every Word is not God’s, then whose words are you putting your faith in?
Someone has said, “Inspiration without preservation is irrelevant.” Think about it!