CATCH PHRASE #2

Another popular saying I’ve heard over the years is…

“Call Bible things by Bible names.”  

This is a self-defeating statement.  How can one call Bible things by Bible names when the term “Bible” is not even in the Bible?  Have we not by using the term “Bible” called a Bible thing by a name not found in it?  The word “Bible” came from the seaport town named Byblos from ancient Phoenicia in what is modern day Lebanon.  The Greeks took the name of the city as their word for “book” from which was later derived “Bible”.

Does anyone else find it odd that the term “Bible” is not found in the Bible?  So I strive to use the term “Scriptures” in lieu of “Bible”.   

How is it that terms not found in the Scriptures are used to describe such important doctrines that the Scriptures convey?   As much as possible I strive to let the Scriptures interpret and define itself.   I think it wise to strive to stay away from man-made terms as much as possible yet I confess that having grown up in the church and having heard such terms as these so often it is a challenge to refrain from slipping up and using them myself.    

I’m not advocating leaving a fellowship of believers with those who use such terms but I do encourage all to consider striving to use terms found in the Scriptures as much as possible over other man-made terms.  Why muddy the waters?  Let the Scriptures interpret themselves and use the terms its uses as much as possible.  This may take some effort and self-correcting over time to accomplish since we have had such terms ingrained in our consciousness by our traditions and customs for generations.   Perhaps this could be the start of a restoration of terms towards more Scriptural accuracy.

Perhaps this popular phrase should be revised to say,

“Call Scripture things by Scripture names."                                                                                        

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

                         -2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)