The Bible is a collection of sacred writings central to Judaism and Christianity. The term “Holy” applied to the Bible frequently incites discussion, as it suggests perfection and infallibility—attributes usually not attributed to tangible objects. Jesus himself avoided the title, preferring to be called ‘Good,’ pointing at reserving ‘Holy’ solely for the divine.
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:16-17 NKJV).
In His human form, Jesus was not considered holy. He was without sin, but in His physical existence, He did not claim holiness, which is why He declined the “good” label. Often, it is the incorrect application of these terms that causes confusion in Christianity. According to the Bible, only the name of the Lord and the Holy Spirit are deemed worthy of reverence. When the Jews spoke disparagingly of Jesus, He cautioned them to be mindful of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV).
A pervasive issue facing humanity is the tendency to take things for granted, especially by holding physical objects in reverence. This is contrary to the divine guidance that discourages such practices. Objects deemed sacred are often considered inviolable. In Muslim countries, speaking disrespectfully about the Quran, held sacred, can be met with severe consequences.
The word “sacred” is a religious term, commonly treated as synonymous with “holy,” but it is not. Physical eyes cannot see what is holy, while sacred things are widely observable. Idol worshippers are known for turning any object into what can be revered and worshipped, thereby assigning the term sacred to physical objects. God is Holy, so the term “sacred” cannot be assigned to Him. Hence, the Israelites were instructed not to liken Him to anything tangible.
When considering the Bible, with sacred texts, challenges arise because it includes sections that may be incorrect, potentially due to translation errors. Unlike the direct words of Jesus, numerous scriptural elements, originating from fallible humans, cannot be assumed infallible. For instance, some of Paul’s teachings present grounds for debate.
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (1 Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV).
What Paul suggested seems noble and reasonable. However, claiming it to be a faithful saying might be an overstatement. He proceeds to outline the qualifications of a bishop, identified as a congregational leader. Comparing this to Jesus’ teachings, Paul’s assertion appears contradictory to what is stated in Matthew 23:8-12. Furthermore, considering Paul’s conduct before his conversion, it could be argued that God did not enforce the standard that Paul declares to be faithful and true. What criterion did God use to appoint Him as an apostle? In other words, there will always be room for critiquing Biblical content.
There is no definitive proof that Jesus employed the same standards as Paul’s suggestion when selecting his apostles. According to Matthew 23:8-12, Jesus alone has the authority to assign roles in His Church through the Holy Spirit, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. For example, the choice of Judas Iscariot, who seemingly did not meet Paul’s standards, was intentional. Jesus chose him knowingly, understanding that he would play the part of the betrayer.
The capacity to critique specific Scriptural references indicates that ‘holiness’ might not apply to the Bible. However, this does not mean it should be viewed as merely another secular text. Although the Scriptures can be considered sacred, it is crucial to acknowledge that they are not intrinsically holy. They can be understood through the Spirit, despite potential punctuation errors and translation inaccuracies. The Bible transmits God’s message, but a complete understanding of its contents requires the Spirit of God.
In the Roman Catholic Church, numerous objects are deemed sacred, including depictions of Mother Mary. The “Holy Trinity” concept is also embraced, despite its absence from an explicit Biblical foundation. The Bible cautions against false prophets and teachers within Christianity. To prevent deception, adherence to the original scriptures reflecting Jesus’ teachings is crucial. This encompasses baptizing new adherents in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Individuals baptized in this manner are accountable not to humans, but to a higher authority. However, Jesus excluded the Son when he warned against the possibility of blasphemy (Matthew 12:31-32).
Disagreements over Biblical texts arise from diverse perspectives. However, this does not imply that those who question are inherently more truthful than those who do not perceive such errors. It is crucial to recognize that our relationship with Scripture is not based on understanding alone, but includes grace. The true error lies in clinging to an interpretation after its flaws have been recognized. To grow in grace is to embrace new insights and adjust one’s beliefs accordingly.
The Word of God is the sustenance for Christians. Regular examination of the Scriptures and making adjustments as guided by the Spirit is commendable. A truth-seeking individual cannot continue with false beliefs. God may allow errors among those earnestly seeking to follow Jesus. The critical question is the action one takes upon discovering the truth. Pride may be the sole barrier to embracing new understanding. Paul’s thorn in the flesh testimony remains a vital guide to the proper mindset for a Christian.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-12 VKJV).
God’s regard for one’s proficiency in understanding the Scriptures is not the sole measure of spiritual insight. This is where many scholars stumble. A Christian’s identity is not contingent upon perfect comprehension of the Scriptures. One may surpass others through a readiness to learn, yet the pursuit of knowledge is unending, as full understanding is unattainable in this lifetime. The critical issue is the application of newfound knowledge. One might disregard it, feigning ignorance, or use it to vaunt over those less informed. Both behaviours are perilous; the former may stem from arrogance, and the latter can lead to conceit.
“Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NKJV).
This discussion aims to help the reader understand that not all traditional beliefs should be accepted as truth. True Christianity involves adhering to what is true and discarding what is false, irrespective of the origin of that truth. It is crucial to recognize that a Christian is accountable solely to God. Teachings from others must be measured against the teachings of Jesus, which serve as the sole criterion for accepting or rejecting knowledge from any source. If deemed true, it is embraced unquestioningly. Conversely, if it is found to be false, it is likewise dismissed without hesitation.
The fundamental truth is that there is comfort in following the majority. Yet, the Bible indicates that this can signify danger for Christians in this life. Human instinct often leads us to adopt the majority’s choices. Departing from the majority is one of the most challenging actions for humans. This challenge aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who calls for the renunciation of all things in this life to follow Him (Luke 14:25-28). This suggests being an outcast.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV).
If God’s name is Holy and His Spirit is Holy, it follows that the term “Holy” is applicable to Spiritual entities. However, if there is a need to grant reverence to objects in this world, the most appropriate term to use appears to be “sacred.” We will now take a bit of time exploring possible reasons why a human being, created in God’s image carries a different spirit. This should not be mistaken for the Holy Spirit and should also not be regarded as an evil spirit, necessarily.
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12 NKJV).
The spirit of man is denoted with a lowercase, while the Spirit of God has an uppercase. In the Book of Genesis, Adam’s story illustrates man’s fall from grace. The symbolic fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents a mix of both good and evil. Thus, within humanity, good and evil coexist. Being created in God’s image, which is a spiritual entity since God is Spirit, implies purity. However, having consumed the symbolic forbidden fruit led to man, made in God’s likeness, becoming tainted.
Every human being in this world exists in a state of confusion, harbouring both good and evil. According to 1 Corinthians 2:11, the good within man’s spirit allows him to receive the Spirit of God, transforming him or her into a begotten Son of God. The Spirit of God, like the spirit of man, is invisible. The distinction between the two spirits lies in their nature; one is Holy, and the other is unholy due to contamination by Satan.
Hence, the term “Holy” should only be associated with the divine. If Jesus had been Holy during His time with humanity, those who mistreated Him would not have endured. This is why Jesus made it clear in His dialogue with the Jews. His words made a clear distinction between the Holy and the unholy. The physical should never be confused with the Holy.
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV).
In summary, objects or concepts deemed worthy of reverence in this world should be referred to as sacred, rather than “Holy.” The designation “Holy” should be exclusively used for God, to whom the Holy Spirit belongs and is imparted to those cleansed by Jesus’ blood. The Holy Spirit cannot be received without the purifying power of Jesus’ blood. It might be relevant to note that Jesus did not discuss sacred matters in this life.
The term “sacred” is often linked with the world’s religions. Only in the Book of Genesis does God suggest that human life should be considered sacred (Genesis 9:6). Human life isn’t inherently holy but is deemed sacred in the context of God’s directive concerning the sin of bloodshed. The Bible can also be treated as sacred, only to those having not yet received the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, there is no limit to those having received the Holy Spirit, who are then identified as God’s Children. Understanding these things is crucial in appreciating the workings of God.
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