Microsoft Word - ChristianityNotReligionBkMSS.doc

(WallPaper) #1

(biblion), it is not a reference to the totality of the bound-
book that we call the Bible. We need to be honest enough
to admit that!
Some common Biblical examples will serve to
demonstrate the point I have been making:
Romans 10: 17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and
hearing by the word of Christ." "Word of Christ" in this
text does not refer to Bible knowledge. The context has to
do with the verbalized proclamation of the gospel.
Galatians 6:6 - "let the one who is taught the word share
all good things with him who teaches." The "word" is not a
reference to Bible doctrine or narratives, but refers to the
gospel.
Ephesians 6:17 - "the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God." How often have we heard the Bible referred
to as the "word of God" and the "sword of the Spirit"? This
verse is not referring to a bound-book, but to the
personalized word of God which God speaks to the
Christian.
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ richly dwell
within you..." Paul is not saying, "let the words of the
Bible" dwell in you. The parallel passage in Ephesians 5:18

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