The Bible: Who Could Ask for Anything More?

The theme of this year’s Answers for Women conference is Defend: Ready to Give an Answer. God calls each of His beloved children to share the hope He has given us through Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). Yet how can we share this hope when so many are questioning the very foundation of our faith and false stories abound about Christianity? How would you answer a friend asking if Jesus truly resurrected? How do you share the hope of heaven among all the stories of visits to heaven? Is the Bible even God’s true Word? Should we be involved in things like holy yoga and contemplative prayer? We want to equip you with answers.

Joining Marcia Montenegro at this year’s conference is Erin Benziger. Erin is a blogger on Do Not Be Surprised and podcast host and writer on Equipping Eve and will be speaking on the sufficiency of Scripture and some dangers of believing God “speaks” outside of Scripture. As I have talked with Erin and followed her ministries, I have been very impressed with her desire to biblically and lovingly confront error in the church. She was a favorite speaker at last year’s Answers for Women conference Discern, and based on the feedback she received from that presentation, she is addressing the following topic for Defend:

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God? Most Christians would rightly affirm that they do, and they should, because Scripture itself testifies to its divine authorship (Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and must necessarily reflect the character of its Author. The Apostle Peter described the Word this way:

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20–21 NAS)

The very character and origin of Scripture means that it is authoritative. God is the sovereign Creator of all, and therefore has authority over all things. His words are final and they stand for eternity (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:24–25). He has spoken fully and finally in His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2), and it is the closed canon of Scripture that reveals Jesus Christ to us.

Erin Benziger

Scripture is the means by which God speaks to men. It is how we come to know the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Contained in the 66 books of the Bible, we find all that the Christian needs to know pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). God, in His goodness, provided this written revelation of Himself so that there would be no misunderstanding as to who He is or what He has said. The Bible is a gracious gift from a loving God! Who could ask for anything more?

Yet, sadly, there are many who profess Christianity who do ask for more. They extol the validity of extrabiblical revelation through voices, visions, dreams, or nudges. These claims must be soberly examined, as they challenge the very teaching of Scripture itself.

Those who make such claims may say that their private revelation is not as authoritative as the Bible; however, does God ever speak with less authority? When the sovereign God of the universe speaks, His words must carry the full weight of His deity. These claims to outside, private revelation contradict the Bible’s own teaching that it is the full and final Word of God (cf. Hebrews 1:1–2; Revelation 22:18–19). Do we dare to call God a liar? Further, by seeking revelation beyond what has been given to us in the written Word, we deny the sufficiency of that Word. When we do this, we are telling God that His inerrant, infallible, inspired Word is not enough. May we never dismiss His Word with such sinful flippancy!

When we gather at Answers for Women 2017, we will examine what the Bible says about itself and its own sufficiency, and we will critically examine some claims to extrabiblical revelation that have been made by popular Bible teachers. We will ask God to speak to us and He will . . . through His perfect, holy, written Word.

Erin has a real heart for women and their witness, and I’m excited to hear her speak. We need to understand that God has given us everything we need for life in His Word.

Register today to take advantage of the early bird price (ends February 1), and remember the price includes lunch on Saturday, free admission to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter for the attendee, and 20% off admission for accompanying spouse and children. This year’s conference will be held at Florence Baptist Church (20 minutes from the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter) because we’ve outgrown Legacy Hall at the Creation Museum—what a wonderful problem! Be sure to download the bulletin insert on the event website to advertise the conference at your church.

Keep fighting the good fight of the faith!