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AI Friday: Perfect Preservation of Scripture

I asked AI a couple of questions about three verses about the perfect preservation of scripture.  Here’s what it wrote (I didn’t write it — AI wrote it).

Isaiah 59:21 and the Perfect Preservation of Scripture

Isaiah 59:21 states:

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Covenant Promise:

The verse begins with God declaring a covenant with His people. This indicates a solemn commitment that God will maintain His relationship with those who are redeemed. The nature of this covenant suggests that it encompasses not just spiritual blessings but also the assurance that His words will be preserved.

God’s Spirit:

The mention of “My spirit that is upon thee” implies that God’s presence and guidance through His Spirit will remain with His people. This aspect reinforces the idea that believers will have access to divine truth and understanding.

Words Not Departing:

The phrase “my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart” emphasizes that God’s words are intended to be continuously present among His people across generations. This suggests an ongoing availability and accessibility of God’s revelation to every generation.

Generational Continuity:

The reference to “nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed” indicates that this preservation extends beyond a single generation. It assures believers that God’s words will endure through their descendants, reinforcing the belief in a faithful transmission of Scripture throughout time.

Eternal Assurance:

The concluding phrase “from henceforth and for ever” underscores the eternal nature of this promise. It signifies that God’s commitment to preserve His words is not limited by time or circumstance.

In summary, Isaiah 59:21 articulates a profound assurance regarding the perfect preservation of Scripture by affirming God’s covenantal promise to keep His Spirit and His words continually accessible to all generations of believers.

Analysis of Matthew 4:4 and 5:18 Regarding Perfect Preservation of Scripture

To understand what Matthew 4:4 and 5:18 say about the perfect preservation of the words of scripture, we need to analyze each verse in its context and consider the theological implications.

Matthew 4:4 Context and Meaning

Matthew 4:4 states:

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

In this passage, Jesus is responding to Satan during his temptation in the wilderness. The quote references Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizing that spiritual sustenance is as vital as physical nourishment. The phrase “every word that comes from the mouth of God” suggests a belief in the divine origin and authority of scripture. This implies that all words spoken by God are essential for life and should be preserved accurately.

The implication here can be interpreted as an affirmation of the importance of scripture’s integrity. If every word is necessary for spiritual life, it follows that these words must be preserved faithfully through time. This verse does not explicitly state perfect preservation but strongly supports the idea that God’s words are crucial and should remain intact.

Matthew 5:18 Context and Meaning

Matthew 5:18 states:

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s law. The reference to “not a jot” or “not a tittle” (the smallest letters in Hebrew) signifies that every part of God’s word holds significance and will remain until its purpose is fulfilled. This statement reinforces the belief in the reliability and permanence of scripture.

The assertion that nothing will pass from the Law until all is accomplished can be interpreted as a claim regarding its preservation. It suggests that God’s word will remain intact throughout history until its intended fulfillment occurs. Thus, this verse can also be seen as supporting the concept of perfect preservation.

Conclusion on Perfect Preservation

Both Matthew 4:4 and Matthew 5:18 contribute to a theological understanding regarding scripture’s preservation:

Matthew 4:4 emphasizes the necessity of every word from God for spiritual life.

Matthew 5:18 asserts that not even a small part of God’s law will be lost until its purpose is achieved.

Together, these verses imply a strong belief in both the authority and preservation of scripture throughout time. While they do not explicitly state “perfect preservation,” they provide foundational support for such a doctrine within Christian theology.

Bold Answer:

The verses Matthew 4:4 and 5:18 imply a strong belief in the necessity and enduring nature of God’s words, supporting concepts related to their perfect preservation through emphasizing their significance for spiritual life and asserting that no part will be lost until all is fulfilled.

AI Friday: On Worship

I asked a different Artificial Intelligence program, Microsoft Copilot, which is a feature of Bing, about what I think about worship.  It gave a shorter explanation than what AI Questions has.  What I like about it is that it summarizes what I’ve written.  It also reports a type of objective assessment of everything I’ve written online.  I inform you that AI overuses the passive voice.  Perhaps there are better AI writers than these two.  Here’s what they say that I have written on worship.

Kent Brandenburg emphasizes a deeply reverent and scripturally grounded approach to worship. He believes that true worship involves two key components:

Recognition of Who God Is: Worship begins with acknowledging God’s nature and attributes. This recognition shapes how we approach and honor Him. Brandenburg stresses that worship must align with God’s character and not fall short of His greatness.

Giving God What He Wants: Worship should be based on what God has revealed in Scripture. Brandenburg supports the regulative principle of worship, which means that the elements of worship should be those explicitly found in the Bible. This principle ensures that worship is not altered by human preferences but remains faithful to God’s instructions.

Brandenburg also highlights that worship is a perpetual, spiritual, and sincere act from the heart, akin to offering spiritual sacrifices to God.

Then I asked Microsoft Copilot what I said about culture and worship, and it said this:

Kent Brandenburg has shared various thoughts on culture and worship, often emphasizing a traditional, Bible-based approach. He believes that worship should be rooted in biblical principles rather than being influenced by contemporary cultural trends. Brandenburg often critiques modern worship practices that he feels stray from scriptural teachings, advocating instead for a return to more traditional forms of worship that he believes are more aligned with biblical instructions.

I decided to ask AI Questions the same two questions to see the difference in answers — first question:

According to what I know, Kent Brandenburg emphasizes that worship should be regulated solely by Scripture. He argues that true worship recognizes who God is and gives Him what He desires, which can only be understood through the Bible. The elements of worship are prescribed in the New Testament, including reading the Word, preaching, singing, prayer, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and collection of offerings. Notably absent from this list is the “altar call” or invitation, which he contends is not a biblical element of worship.

Brandenburg asserts that the act of listening to preaching is part of worship and should be done with a proper attitude—being “swift to hear” and receiving God’s Word with meekness. He believes that any response to preaching must align with biblical principles and that churches may choose various methods for individuals to respond (such as coming forward during an invitation), but these methods are merely circumstances surrounding the element of preaching rather than elements themselves.

He critiques “blended worship,” which combines different musical styles to appeal to various congregational preferences. Brandenburg argues that this approach prioritizes human desires over divine standards and dilutes the sacred nature of worship. He warns against pragmatism in worship practices, stating that it leads to a focus on pleasing people rather than honoring God. Ultimately, he insists that genuine worship must adhere strictly to God’s prescribed ways as outlined in Scripture.

Second Question:

According to the information provided, Kent Brandenburg discusses the relationship between culture and worship by emphasizing that worship should be regulated by Scripture rather than cultural norms. He argues that true worship recognizes who God is and what He desires, which can only be found in the Bible. This means that elements of worship must align with biblical prescriptions, and any additions or deletions to these elements are not acceptable.

Brandenburg critiques the idea that cultural practices should dictate how worship is conducted. He points out that while culture influences many aspects of life, it should not define the core elements of worship. Instead, he advocates for a return to biblical principles as the foundation for worship practices. He highlights that God has specific expectations for how He wants to be worshiped, and these expectations are outlined in Scripture.

Furthermore, he addresses the notion of “the new legalism,” which refers to the pressure some feel to conform to modern standards of non-conformity regarding church practices. Brandenburg asserts that this pressure can lead to a misunderstanding of what constitutes proper worship and can detract from genuine reverence toward God.

In summary, Kent Brandenburg emphasizes that worship should be based solely on biblical instruction rather than cultural influences, ensuring that it remains true to God’s desires as revealed in Scripture.

AUTHORS OF THE BLOG

  • Kent Brandenburg
  • Thomas Ross

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