Online at Baptist discussion sites, I find a sad and constant drumbeat that tends to dull confidence in the Bible. Only the autographs are inspired, and we don’t have the autographs. From there every trail is followed to show differences in translations, differences in original language texts, anything that makes for intriguing and infinite debate. Like the Athenians, some new thing is constantly sought (Acts 17:21).
Perhaps we should take our cue from what the New Testament scriptures say about the Old Testament scriptures, rather than our much learning which may make us mad. The New Testament tell us that the scriptures were given by inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). The scriptures they had are authoritative and profitable, whether they were original copies or not (e.g. Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). Not knowing the Scriptures is to err (Matthew 22:29). They asked, what do the scriptures say (Romans 4:3). They began with the scriptures and preached (Acts 8:35). There is no worrying and debating with endless conjectures on whether only the autographs were inspired or whether they still existed. Our current common approach chips away at and undermines the scriptures.
Studying the scriptures to find the truth is honorable. Criticizing, not so much! Rather than looking at the scriptures to find fault, let us look in the mirror of God’s word to see our own faults (James 1:22-24).
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