"The Bible Is a Critic

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"the Word of God . . . is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 

While the word "discern," frequently occurs in the Bible this is the only reference in which the peculiar Greek word Kritikos, from which is derived our English word critic, is used. The adjective used signifies that which relates to judging, fit for, or skilled in, judging; hence critical. The Bible is critical of our thoughts and intents, meaning, it's authority to discriminate and pass judgment on our thoughts and feelings. Because of the nature of the Bible the idea of it as our critic carries the promise of criticism which is just and deserved. 

Presumptuous men call themselves critics of the Bible and sit in judgment upon it. They forget that the Bible is the infallible critic of their actions. We recognize that Biblical Criticism is of two kinds. There are those devout Hebrew and Greek scholars who bow before the authority of Scripture and who, with much patience and prayer, search the ancient manuscripts in order to give us, as nearly as possible, the actual words used by the inspired writers of old. How we praise God for the painstaking labors of such scholars! Ours is a debt of gratitude which can never be adequately repaid for many translations before us. 

The other kind of critics are those who represent what is known as Destructive Criticism. Their activities are unlawful and fraught with the most soul-ruining and God dishonoring consequences. These so-called Higher Critics endeavor to give us a revised and improved Bible. Rejecting divine inspiration, these unworthy critics doubt the accuracy of the Bible, strike out passages as being uninspired and leave us with nothing better than a piece of patched-up forgery. Such false handlers of Scripture never reveal any of its treasures nor inspire us to grasp more firmly any of its truths. How blessed we are when we refuse to sit in judgment upon the Bible, but accepting it as a holy critic, submit to its mysterious, soul-searching power!" 

Herbert Lockyer, from page 103 of his book, All the Promises of the Bible


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I'm a Christian saved by God, by His Sovereign grace. I want to encourage all to read, to hear, to believe, and to feed upon the only Words in all the world that are truly spirit and life, living and active; to know the One True God: God the Father, His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; Who has graciously given us the Holy Scriptures
“All Scripture is God-breathed..."
2 Timothy 3:16–17; cf., John 3:31-36; John 6:63; John 14:26; John 17:3, 17; Romans 1:1-6, 16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Hebrews 4:12-13. As for the commentaries I post and refer to; with much gratitude, as they have done for me, it is my hope and prayer that they serve to edify all who read them.

Shalom, beccaj
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