The Fatal Consequences of Denying God’s Providential Preservation
Introduction
This series of posts is a direct response to the claims made by Lane Keister in his Chapter-by-Chapter Review of Why I Preach from the Received Text. In his review, Keister presents a position that undermines the doctrine of providential preservation and severely restricts the scope of Christ’s promises in Matthew 5:18. His arguments hinge on a fragmented understanding of Scripture, limiting the promises of preservation to the Hebrew Old Testament while denying their application to the Greek New Testament.
Keister writes in his review:
“The promise of preservation in Matthew 5:18 pertains to the Old Testament Scriptures, not to the Greek New Testament, which is not directly referenced in this passage.”
This interpretation reveals a foundational error. By denying the preservation of the Greek New Testament, Keister not only fractures the unity of Scripture but also relegates the New Testament to a secondary and unstable status. This position is logically untenable and theologically heretical, as it implies that the Greek New Testament is not Scripture in the same sense as the Hebrew Old Testament. Such a claim contradicts the historic Reformed doctrine of Scripture and directly opposes the testimony of theologians like John Owen, William Whitaker, and James Ussher.
If the Greek New Testament is not preserved as the Word of God, then it cannot serve as the infallible rule of faith and practice for the church. This logical consequence of Keister’s position leads to a denial of the New Testament’s divine authority, aligning his arguments with the heresies of Arianism and modern textual criticism, which similarly undermine the sufficiency and reliability of Scripture.
As William Whitaker warns in his Disputation on Scripture:
“The immutability of Scripture cannot be confined to the Old Testament but must include the New Testament, which is equally the Word of God.”
This series will demonstrate how Keister’s interpretation of Matthew 5:18 is inconsistent with biblical theology and historical Reformed thought. It will explore the implications of his view, which ultimately denies the unity and sufficiency of Scripture, and call attention to the danger of treating the New Testament as an unreliable or incomplete text.
By exposing the theological and logical flaws in Keister’s position, this series aims to reaffirm the comprehensive promises of preservation found in Matthew 5:18. These promises apply equally to the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament, safeguarding the entirety of God’s Word for all generations. Anything less is a denial of Scripture’s authority, reliability, and divine origin.
Section 1: The Theological Weight of Matthew 5:18
1.1 The Words of Christ: Divine Preservation in Detail
Matthew 5:18 stands as one of the clearest declarations of God’s intent to preserve His Word. Christ’s words are both definitive and comprehensive: “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.” Here, Christ identifies the meticulous nature of Scripture’s preservation, using jot and tittle to represent the smallest components of the written text. The jot, or yodh, is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, while the tittle refers to a minute stroke that differentiates one Hebrew letter from another. By invoking these terms, Christ emphasizes that no part of Scripture, not even its smallest details, will be lost.
James Ussher, in Body of Divinity, underscores this precision:
“Not one jot or prick of the Law shall perish, whereby it should appear that the Law and the Prophets had vowels and pricks.”
This statement aligns with Christ’s teaching and illustrates the theological foundation for the doctrine of providential preservation. The divine care that extends to every letter of the Hebrew Scriptures demonstrates that God’s commitment to His Word is total. It is inconceivable that such meticulous preservation would not also apply to the Greek New Testament, which is equally inspired and authoritative.
1.2 Preservation and Fulfillment in God’s Redemptive Plan
Christ’s statement in Matthew 5:18 connects the preservation of Scripture to its ultimate purpose: “Till all be fulfilled.” This eschatological perspective ties the integrity of the text to the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. The Scriptures, as the revelation of God’s will, are preserved intact so that they may fully accomplish their divine purpose.
John Owen elaborates on this idea in The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16:
“The Word of God differeth from all other pretended revelations as the wheat doth from the chaff. It is our duty to try and sift the wheat from the chaff, or we may not evidently discern the one from the other.”
Owen’s analogy highlights the divine origin and enduring purity of Scripture. Unlike human writings, which are subject to corruption, God’s Word is preserved in its entirety. This preservation ensures that Scripture remains distinct from all other texts and continues to fulfill its role as the authoritative guide for faith and life.
To limit the promise of preservation in Matthew 5:18 to the Hebrew Old Testament would be to deny the comprehensive scope of Christ’s declaration. The New Testament, as the fulfillment and continuation of the Old Testament, must also be included in this promise. Without the preservation of the Greek New Testament, the church would lack a reliable and authoritative witness to the gospel.
1.3 Logical and Theological Necessity of Applying Matthew 5:18 to the New Testament
The integrity of the New Testament is inseparable from the promises of Matthew 5:18. If the Greek New Testament is not preserved with the same precision as the Hebrew Old Testament, then its authority and reliability are undermined. This presents a theological inconsistency: how can the New Testament, which fulfills and completes the Old Testament, lack the same divine guarantees of preservation?
William Whitaker, in Disputation on Scripture, addresses this issue:
“The Scriptures, whether written in Hebrew or Greek, are alike the Word of God, and their authority depends not on the church, but on the testimony of God who hath preserved them.”
Whitaker’s argument demonstrates that divine preservation extends to all Scripture, regardless of its language. By excluding the Greek New Testament from this promise, one introduces a fragmentation in the canon that is both illogical and theologically untenable. The New Testament must be preserved to the same degree as the Old Testament, or its status as Scripture is compromised.
1.4 The New Testament’s Role in the Canon of Scripture
The New Testament is not a separate or secondary revelation but the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Christ Himself affirms this in Matthew 5:17: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” This continuity between the Testaments underscores their unity as parts of a single divine revelation. The New Testament’s role as the completion of God’s redemptive work demands that it be preserved with the same care as the Old Testament.
John Owen emphasizes the importance of Scripture’s preservation for its role as divine revelation:
“The Scripture is now become the only external means of divine supernatural illumination, because it is the only repository of all divine supernatural revelation.”
If the Greek New Testament is not preserved, the church is left without a complete and reliable repository of God’s revelation. This undermines the sufficiency of Scripture and opens the door to endless textual uncertainty. The doctrine of providential preservation, as articulated in Matthew 5:18, ensures that the New Testament is as trustworthy as the Old Testament, providing a firm foundation for the church’s faith and practice.
1.5 Historical Testimony to Preservation
The doctrine of providential preservation is not a modern innovation but a historic belief affirmed by theologians throughout church history. James Ussher, William Whitaker, and John Owen all recognized the necessity of applying the promises of preservation to both Testaments.
Ussher writes:
“Neither one jot nor one tittle shall be lost.”
This statement affirms that the smallest details of Scripture are preserved, a principle that must apply to both the Hebrew and Greek texts. Whitaker similarly asserts:
“The immutability of Scripture cannot be confined to the Old Testament but must include the New Testament, which is equally the Word of God.”
These testimonies highlight the theological consistency of applying Matthew 5:18 to the entire canon. To exclude the New Testament from this promise is to depart from the historic understanding of Scripture as the divinely preserved Word of God.
Conclusion to Section 1
Matthew 5:18 provides a clear and comprehensive statement on the preservation of Scripture, affirming that not even the smallest part will pass away until all is fulfilled. This promise applies equally to the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament, ensuring the integrity and authority of the entire canon.
As the writings of Ussher, Whitaker, and Owen demonstrate, the doctrine of providential preservation is essential for maintaining the unity and reliability of Scripture. To limit preservation to the Old Testament is to undermine the theological foundation of the New Testament and to jeopardize the church’s confidence in God’s Word. By affirming the application of Matthew 5:18 to both Testaments, we uphold the truth that Scripture, in its entirety, is the divinely preserved and authoritative revelation of God.
Section 2: Matthew 5:18 as a Text of Preservation
2.1 The Words of Christ: A Declaration of Preservation
Matthew 5:18 is one of the most direct and profound statements concerning the preservation of Scripture:
“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.”
Here, Christ makes an unmistakable assertion about the enduring nature of God’s Word, explicitly referencing the smallest components of the Hebrew text. The jot refers to the Hebrew letter yodh, the smallest letter in the alphabet, while the tittle denotes a small stroke or mark that distinguishes one letter from another. These terms highlight that the preservation of Scripture is meticulous, encompassing even the most minute details.
James Ussher, in Body of Divinity, echoes Christ’s emphasis on the precision of divine preservation:
“Not one jot or prick of the Law shall perish, whereby it should appear that the Law and the Prophets had vowels and pricks.”
This precision is not incidental; it is a reflection of the divine nature of Scripture. If even the smallest marks are preserved, then the entirety of Scripture—its words, sentences, and meaning—must be safeguarded with equal care. The significance of this statement lies not only in its affirmation of the Hebrew text’s preservation but also in its broader theological implications for the New Testament.
2.2 Understanding the Scope of Preservation
The promise in Matthew 5:18 extends beyond the Hebrew Scriptures to include the Greek New Testament. Christ’s teaching about the enduring nature of God’s Word is not restricted to the Old Testament but encompasses the entire canon. The New Testament, as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, shares the same divine origin and authority. To deny that the Greek New Testament is preserved with the same precision as the Hebrew text is to undermine the unity of Scripture.
William Whitaker, in Disputation on Scripture, affirms this inclusive view of preservation:
“The Scriptures, whether written in Hebrew or Greek, are alike the Word of God, and their authority depends not on the church, but on the testimony of God who hath preserved them.”
Whitaker’s insight is critical for understanding the scope of Matthew 5:18. The divine promise of preservation must apply equally to both Testaments because both are equally inspired and authoritative. Without this consistency, the New Testament’s reliability is called into question, leaving the church without a trustworthy foundation for its doctrine and practice.
2.3 The Significance of “Jot and Tittle”
The reference to jot and tittle in Matthew 5:18 underscores the meticulous nature of divine preservation. These terms represent the smallest elements of the written text, emphasizing that God’s care extends to every detail. This principle is not merely theoretical but has practical implications for how the church understands and handles Scripture.
John Owen, in The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16, highlights the importance of this precision:
“The Word of God differeth from all other writings not only in the matter and subject of it, but also in the manner of its preservation, which is by the singular providence of God.”
Owen’s statement reinforces the idea that Scripture is unique, not only in its content but also in its preservation. This divine preservation ensures that God’s Word remains intact and unaltered, providing the church with an unchanging standard of truth.
2.4 Connecting Preservation to Fulfillment
The phrase “till all be fulfilled” in Matthew 5:18 connects the preservation of Scripture to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This eschatological framework underscores the purpose of preservation: to ensure that God’s Word remains available and reliable until all His promises and purposes are accomplished.
James Ussher, in Body of Divinity, ties preservation to the broader context of God’s sovereignty:
“Neither one jot nor one tittle shall be lost, for the perfection of the Word of God consisteth in this, that nothing may be added thereto, nor taken therefrom.”
This perfection is not limited to the Hebrew Scriptures but extends to the entire canon, including the Greek New Testament. By preserving every aspect of Scripture, God ensures that His revelation remains a trustworthy witness to His covenant promises.
2.5 The New Testament as a Fulfillment and Continuation
The New Testament fulfills and expands upon the Old Testament, completing God’s revelation to humanity. Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:17-18 establishes the continuity between the Testaments:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
This fulfillment does not negate the Old Testament but affirms its authority while introducing the New Testament as the continuation of God’s redemptive work. John Owen addresses the necessity of this unity:
“The covenant of grace is one and the same, in its substance and efficacy, in both Testaments, differing only in the outward administration of it.”
The unity of the Testaments demands that the promises of preservation in Matthew 5:18 apply to both. The Greek New Testament, as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, must be preserved with the same care, ensuring its reliability and authority.
2.6 Practical Implications for the Church
The promise of preservation in Matthew 5:18 has profound implications for the church. If the Greek New Testament is not preserved with the same precision as the Hebrew Old Testament, the church’s confidence in Scripture is undermined. The doctrine of providential preservation ensures that God’s Word remains intact, providing a firm foundation for faith and practice.
William Whitaker emphasizes the necessity of this preservation:
“The immutability of Scripture cannot be confined to the Old Testament but must include the New Testament, which is equally the Word of God.”
This immutability is essential for the church’s mission. Without a preserved text, the church would lack the means to faithfully proclaim the gospel and defend the truth. The divine promise in Matthew 5:18 guarantees that Scripture, in its entirety, remains a reliable and authoritative witness to God’s will.
Conclusion to Section 2
Matthew 5:18 is a definitive statement on the preservation of Scripture, affirming that even the smallest details are safeguarded by divine providence. This promise applies not only to the Hebrew Old Testament but also to the Greek New Testament, ensuring the unity and reliability of the entire canon. The teachings of Ussher, Whitaker, and Owen reinforce this truth, demonstrating that the preservation of Scripture is both comprehensive and meticulous.
By extending the promises of Matthew 5:18 to the Greek New Testament, we uphold the integrity of God’s Word and affirm its role as the foundation of the church’s faith and practice. This understanding is essential for maintaining the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in every age.
