HAVE PARTS OF THE BIBLE BEEN LOST?
By Mark Roberts
The teachings of the book of Mormon claim that many
"precious parts" of the Bible have been lost (1 Nephi 13:29).
This is cited as one of the main reasons that latter day
revelation is needed -- the Bible lacks some things (apparently)
that we need to know.
I categorically deny this to be so. I believe the
Bible to be inerrant even as we have it today. By inerrancy I
mean that the Bible message as we have it today is not disturbed
or materially changed. This position does not mean that
typographical and/or copyist errors have not crept into the
text. But I most certainly would affirm that many "precious
parts" of the Bible have NOT been lost. Why?
1. To affirm that the Bible has been corrupted and
parts lost destroys God. The Lord went to all this trouble of
inspiring and writing the Bible. Yet, we are told, He was
somehow unable to protect it and over time big chunks of it
disappeared. What kind of God is this? And we are supposed to
believe that such a weakling God can raise His Son from the dead?
2. To affirm that the Bible has been corrupted and
parts lost makes God a liar. God promises us that His word is
indestructible: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but
of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as
the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof
falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And
this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1
Peter 1:23-25).
According to the teachings of some, the word of the
Lord did not abide forever. In fact, it was so temporary that it
had to be re-given to Joseph Smith! Did God lie?
3. To affirm that the Bible has been corrupted and
parts lost makes the entire Bible useless. The Bible promises
that it contains all things necessary to life and godliness (2
Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:15-16). However, this is manifestly not
so if parts have been lost or the document has become corrupted.
But who can tell what has been lost? Further, who can tell what
has been corrupted? Turn to any passage and attempt to apply its
teachings to someone and could they not well say, "That part
wasn't even in there originally -- that is just a corruption."
Which portion of the Bible would be exempt from such a charge,
and why? Of what possible value can the Bible be? Let us lay it
aside and get on with studying a more perfect guide! Let us not
let sentimentality cause us to have even one bit of interest in
a book that is less than complete.
For these reasons, and others, I believe one cannot
rationally continue to believe in (1) the God of the Bible, and
(2) the Bible itself if one holds the Latter Day Saints position
that it has been corrupted and parts of it lost. This places the
Bible (and those who believe in its inerrancy) diametrically
opposed to the Book of Mormon forever. Therefore, we should
study the evidences that both present that they came from God
and come to decision. We must decide to follow the Bible and lay
aside the Book of Mormon, or vice versa for we cannot follow
both!
The Bible is the best attested book from antiquity
and we can rest assured that we have, by God's providence, the
complete Word of God so we can know God, His Son and His will
for our life in order to be saved. (For more evidence supporting
this claim, see the tract, "Can You Trust the Bible?")
Thank you for your time and consideration of this
vital study. God's Word can change your life fo the better!
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