Grudem's "Sytematic Theology" | Chapter 2: The Word of God

The phrase “the Word of God” refers to:

  1. The Son of God, Jesus Christ (John 1:1; Rev. 19:13)
  2. Speech by GodGod’s words come in several forms:
  1. God’s decrees
    • God’s decrees cause events to happen or come into being (Gen. 1:3, 24; Ps. 33:6)
    • God’s decree includes the continuing existence of all things (Heb. 1:3)
  2. God’s words of personal address
    • God sometimes communicates with people on earth by speaking directly to them (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:16-19; Ex. 20:1-3; Matt. 3:17)
    • The words of God’s personal address in Scripture are also “human” words
    • The fact that these words are spoken in human language does not limit their divine character or authority
    • God’s words of personal address are uncommon, even in Scripture
  3. God’s words as speech through human lips
    • Frequently in Scripture, God raises up prophets through who he speaks (Jer. 1:7, 9; Ex. 4:12; Num. 22:38; 1 Sam. 15:3, 18, 23; 1 Kings 20:36; 2 Chron. 20:20; 25:15–16; Isa. 30:12–14; Jer. 6:10–12; 36:29–31)
    • God’s words spoken through human lips were considered to be just as authoritative and just as true as God’s words of personal address (Deut. 18:18-22; Ezek. 13:1-7)
    • God’s words as spoken through human lips ceased to be given when the New Testament can was completed
  4. God’s words in written form (the Bible)
    • The written form of God’s words are found in:
      • The Ten Commandments (Ex. 31:18; 32:15; 34:1, 28)
      • The writings of Moses (Deut. 31:9-13; 31:24-26) and Joshua (Josh. 24-26)
      • The writings of prophets (Isa. 30:8; Jer. 30:2; cf. 36:2–4, 27–31; 51:60)
      • The writings of his disciples (John 14:26; cf. 16:12–13)
      • The writings of Paul (1 Cor. 14:37; cf. 2 Peter 3:2)
    • These words are still considered to be God’s own words, even though they are written down mostly by human beings and always in human language, and are absolutely authoritative and absolutely true (1 Cor. 14:37; Jer. 36:29-31)
    • There are several benefits from writing down God’s words:
      • It is a much more accurate preservation of God’s words for subsequent generations (cf. Deut. 31:12-13)
      • The opportunity for repeated inspection of words that that are written down permits careful study and discussion, which leads to better understanding and more complete obedience
      • God’s words in writing are accessible to many more people than they are when preserved merely through memory and oral repetition
Notes from Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine"

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