Why should we believe that – as Jesus our Lord and
Savior – that the Bible is the mouth of God. In From the Mouth of God Sinclair
Ferguson, a former minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Colombia, South
Carolina and a former professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological
Seminary in Philadelphia, answers this question. His book is highly relevant especially in a
day when a growing number of people, although calling them-selves Evangelicals,
question whether the Bible is the infallible and inerrant Word of God.
With regards to the fact the books of the Bible were
written by human authors Ferguson point to the fact undoubtedly the human writers
of Scripture were conscious that they were expressing their own words as they
wrote. Btu at the same time they were under the sovereign direction of the
Spirit. God prepared the human writes of the Bible with regards of all aspects
of their lives to express his Word in their words.
Both the Old Testaments prophets and New Testament
apostles were aware they what they preached and what was written by them was
not merely an expression of their witness to the God of Israel and Jesus
Christ. They believed that what they said and wrote was to be heard and read as
God’s Word.
We can trust the Bible as God mouth. But how must we
apply the Bible in our lives. Ferguson gives several keys for reading and
applying the Bible in the right way. We should read passages and text of the
Bible in their context and understand how to read different kinds of genre. All
important is to realize that both the Old Testament and the New Testament point
us to Jesus Christ.
The Bible is given that we as fallen creatures may be
reconciled with our Creator through Him. Ferguson rightly urges that is
im-portant to read the whole Bible. He advises to read every year the entire
Bible. He also says it can be very helpful to read just a whole book of the
Bible in one of two sittings. I heartily agree. How can the Bible shape our
lives when we do not know its content?!
The book of Ferguson is well written and easily to
follow also for them who do not have English as their native language. I
heartily recommend it. May the Lord use it to teach is to honor and obey Him.
Sinclair Ferguson, From the Mouth of God: Trusting, Reading, and Applying the Bible, The Banner of Truth, Edinburgh 2014; ISBN 978-1-84871-242-3; pb. 209 pp., price £7,50.
Sinclair Ferguson, From the Mouth of God: Trusting, Reading, and Applying the Bible, The Banner of Truth, Edinburgh 2014; ISBN 978-1-84871-242-3; pb. 209 pp., price £7,50.