I heard the old-time preacher speak
Without one reference to the Greek,
“This precious Book within my hand
Is God’s own word on which I stand.”
And then the scholars came along
And said the preacher had it wrong:
“Conflations here, rescissions there,
And scribal errors everywhere.”
A book “essentially correct,”
But not in every last respect.
“A ‘fairly certain’ word,” they say,
“To light our path and guide our way.”
Then in despair I bowed my head.
“We have no word of God,” I said.
“If some of this old Book is wrong,
Pray tell, what else does not belong?”
Will still more manuscripts be found
To make us go another round?
Correcting, changing, taking out;
Creating questions, fear and doubt?
Must more discoveries come to light
Before we finally get it right?
Will precious doctrines fade away
Because of what the scholars say?
How many “errors” must we purge
Because of what the scholars urge?
How many versions must we make?
How many changes can we take?
How will we ever know we’re through —
That we possess a scripture true?
If man must find God’s word, my friend,
When will the changes ever end?
Then to the Book again I fled
To find out what my Father said.
“Forever settled… never fade” —
This promise God the Spirit made.
A thousand generations hence —
That seems a pretty strong defense.
A “perfect Book?” Then it must be
Man can’t improve what God gave me.
We have a Book completely true,
Instructing us in all we do.
Preserved by God, not found by men,
Inscribed by God the Spirit’s pen.
If God or scholars you must choose,
Be sure the “experts” always lose.
Don’t give to them a second look;
Just keep believing this old Book
Psalm 12:6-7, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
Psalm 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Jeremiah 23:29-30, “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.”
Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
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