Section 7: Conclusion
7.1 Reaffirming the Scope of Matthew 5:18
Matthew 5:18 is a comprehensive declaration of the divine 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.”
This promise underscores that God’s Word, down to its smallest components, will endure unaltered until His purposes are fully accomplished. The theological consistency of this promise necessitates its application to the entirety of Scripture, including the Greek New Testament. To limit Matthew 5:18 to the Hebrew Old Testament is to deny the unity and authority of God’s Word.
William Whitaker, in Disputation on Scripture, highlights the immutable nature of 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.”
Whitaker’s assertion affirms that both Testaments are preserved by God’s providence. Without this preservation, the church would lack the confidence needed to trust the entirety of Scripture as the rule of faith and life.
7.2 The Testimony of Historical Theology
The consistent witness of theologians such as John Owen, William Whitaker, and James Ussher confirms the doctrine of providential preservation as a foundational truth of the Christian faith. These men repeatedly emphasize that the promises of Matthew 5:18 extend to both Testaments, ensuring the reliability and authority of the entire canon.
John Owen writes in The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16:
“The Scripture is now become the only external means of divine supernatural illumination, because it is the only repository of all divine supernatural revelation.”
This preservation of Scripture ensures that it remains a clear and uncorrupted revelation of God’s will for His people. Ussher adds:
“Neither one jot nor one tittle shall be lost, for the Scriptures are the repository of divine truth, preserved by God for all generations.”
These testimonies leave no room for a fragmented view of preservation, where only the Old Testament is secure while the New Testament is subject to human error and reconstruction.
7.3 Refuting Lane Keister’s Inconsistent Position
Lane Keister’s Review introduces a theological inconsistency by restricting the promises of Matthew 5:18 to the Hebrew Scriptures. This limitation aligns with the principles of modern textual criticism, which prioritize human reconstruction over divine preservation, rather than the historic Reformed understanding of Scripture.
William Whitaker critiques such an approach:
“The Scriptures were not given to be altered or corrected by the whims of men, but to be received as the perfect Word of God, preserved in its entirety by His will.”
Keister’s reliance on textual criticism undermines the unity of Scripture and destabilizes the authority of the New Testament. By failing to affirm the preservation of the Greek text, he diminishes the sufficiency of Scripture and leaves the church without a reliable foundation for faith and practice.
7.4 The Necessity of Affirming the Preservation of Both Testaments
The theological implications of limiting preservation to the Old Testament are profound. If the Greek New Testament is not preserved, it cannot serve as the infallible Word of God, leaving the church without a complete and trustworthy canon. This undermines the promises of Christ, who declared:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
John Owen emphasizes the necessity of preservation for maintaining the authority of Scripture:
“The preservation of Scripture is not a matter of chance or human effort but the result of God’s singular providence, ensuring that His Word remains pure and unaltered for His people.”
The Greek New Testament, as the fulfillment and continuation of the Old Testament, is essential for the unity and authority of Scripture. To deny its preservation is to reject the sufficiency of God’s Word and to undermine the foundation of Christian doctrine.
7.5 Practical Implications for the Church
The doctrine of providential preservation is not merely a theological abstraction but a practical necessity for the life of the church. Without a preserved New Testament, the church lacks a reliable standard for its doctrine, worship, and mission. By affirming the preservation of both Testaments, the church upholds the sufficiency of Scripture and ensures its ability to proclaim the gospel with confidence and clarity.
James Ussher underscores this practical necessity:
“The perfection of the Word of God consisteth in this, that nothing may be added thereto, nor taken therefrom. To lose the smallest part is to compromise the whole.”
This statement reinforces the comprehensive scope of preservation promised in Matthew 5:18. By safeguarding every aspect of Scripture, God ensures that His Word remains a stable and authoritative guide for His people in every generation.
7.6 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
The promises of Matthew 5:18 are foundational for understanding the preservation and authority of Scripture. By extending these promises to the Greek New Testament, we uphold the unity, reliability, and sufficiency of God’s Word. The testimonies of John Owen, William Whitaker, and James Ussher confirm that divine preservation applies to the entire canon, ensuring its integrity for all time.
Lane Keister’s Review, by failing to affirm the preservation of the Greek New Testament, departs from this historic consensus and aligns with the unstable methodologies of modern textual criticism. This position undermines the authority of Scripture and jeopardizes the confidence of the church in God’s Word.
As John Owen powerfully concludes:
“The Word of God, if not preserved by His providence, would be reduced to a matter of conjecture, undermining its role as the ultimate rule of faith and life.”
The church must reject any position that denies the comprehensive scope of preservation promised in Matthew 5:18. By affirming the divine preservation of both Testaments, we uphold the truth that Scripture, in its entirety, is the authoritative and infallible revelation of God, preserved for all generations.
Addendum: Lane Keister’s Deception by Satan and His Unfitness for Ministry
1. The Nature of Satanic Deception in Scripture
The Bible warns repeatedly about Satan’s role as a deceiver, particularly in matters of God’s Word. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul writes: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” Satan’s ability to mask his deceptions as truth is a significant threat to the church. This deception often manifests in distortions of God’s Word, as seen in Genesis 3:1, where Satan questions God’s commands: “Yea, hath God said…?”
Lane Keister’s approach to Scripture aligns with this pattern of deception. By rejecting the doctrine of providential preservation for the Greek New Testament and relying on the unstable methodologies of modern textual criticism, Keister opens himself to the influence of Satan’s lies. His denial of the comprehensive promises of Matthew 5:18 undermines the authority of Scripture, creating doubt and uncertainty that are hallmarks of satanic deception.
John Owen speaks to the danger of such compromises in The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16:
“If the Scripture were left to the uncertainties of human opinion, its authority would be diminished, and its purpose as the rule of faith and life would be lost.”
Owen’s words highlight the theological danger of allowing human reasoning, influenced by Satan’s subtle lies, to supplant the clear promises of God.
2. The Evidence of Lane Keister’s Deception
Keister’s reliance on modern textual criticism reveals a troubling departure from the historic Reformed understanding of Scripture. By prioritizing human methodologies over divine preservation, Keister has embraced a framework that treats the New Testament as incomplete and unreliable, effectively denying God’s providential care over His Word.
William Whitaker warns against such compromises in Disputation on Scripture:
“The Scriptures were not given to be altered or corrected by the whims of men, but to be received as the perfect Word of God, preserved in its entirety by His will.”
Keister’s alignment with modern textual criticism reflects a deception that places human effort above divine promises. This approach mirrors Satan’s tactic of encouraging reliance on human wisdom rather than trusting in God’s Word, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:19: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
3. The Theological Implications of Keister’s Position
Keister’s denial of the preservation of the Greek New Testament has profound theological implications. By failing to affirm that Matthew 5:18 applies to the entire canon, Keister undermines the unity and sufficiency of Scripture. This fragmented view directly contradicts the biblical teaching that God’s Word is eternal and unchanging, as seen in Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
James Ussher addresses the dangers of rejecting divine preservation:
“To lose the smallest part is to compromise the whole. The Scriptures are the repository of divine truth, preserved by God for all generations.”
By creating doubt about the reliability of the Greek New Testament, Keister’s position opens the door to further distortions of doctrine and undermines the church’s confidence in God’s Word. This theological instability is a clear indication of satanic influence, as it mirrors Satan’s goal of eroding the church’s trust in Scripture.
4. The Practical Consequences for the Church
Keister’s deception has significant practical consequences for the church. A minister’s primary responsibility is to faithfully teach and defend God’s Word. By rejecting the doctrine of providential preservation, Keister fails to provide the church with a stable foundation for faith and practice. This failure disqualifies him from the ministry, as he cannot fulfill the biblical qualifications outlined in Titus 1:9:
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
John Owen emphasizes the importance of preserving the church’s confidence in Scripture:
“The preservation of Scripture is not a matter of chance or human effort but the result of God’s singular providence, ensuring that His Word remains pure and unaltered for His people.”
Keister’s rejection of this truth leaves the church vulnerable to error and confusion, which are tools Satan uses to undermine the effectiveness of God’s people.
5. Why Lane Keister is Unfit for Ministry
A minister must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word and able to defend it against error. Keister’s willingness to reject the promises of preservation in Matthew 5:18 and to embrace modern textual criticism demonstrates a lack of theological discernment and fidelity to Scripture. This failure makes him unfit for the ministry for several reasons:
- Failure to Defend Scriptural Authority: By denying the preservation of the Greek New Testament, Keister compromises the authority of Scripture, leaving the church without a reliable standard for faith and practice.
- Alignment with Human Wisdom Over Divine Truth: Keister’s reliance on modern textual criticism reflects a trust in human reasoning rather than the promises of God. This reliance aligns with the deception warned about in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- Inability to Lead the Church in Truth: A minister must guide the church in the truth of God’s Word. Keister’s theological compromises prevent him from fulfilling this role, making him unfit to shepherd God’s people.
6. The Influence of Satan in Keister’s Error
The pattern of deception in Keister’s position is consistent with Satan’s tactics throughout Scripture. By questioning the reliability of the Greek New Testament and aligning with modern textual criticism, Keister has fallen prey to a methodology that reflects Satan’s desire to distort and undermine God’s Word.
James Ussher warns of the consequences of such deception:
“To deny the preservation of one part is to deny the preservation of the whole, for the Word of God is one in substance and authority, differing only in its administration between the Old and New Testaments.”
Keister’s position denies the unity and sufficiency of Scripture, aligning with Satan’s goal of sowing doubt and division within the church.
Conclusion to the Addendum
Lane Keister’s rejection of the doctrine of providential preservation and his reliance on modern textual criticism demonstrate that he has been deceived by Satan. This deception undermines the authority, unity, and sufficiency of Scripture, leaving the church without a reliable foundation for faith and practice. Keister’s failure to affirm the promises of Matthew 5:18 disqualifies him from the ministry, as he cannot faithfully defend or teach God’s Word.
As John Owen warns:
“The Word of God, if not preserved by His providence, would be reduced to a matter of conjecture, undermining its role as the ultimate rule of faith and life.”
The church must reject Keister’s theological compromises and reaffirm the comprehensive promises of preservation found in Matthew 5:18. By doing so, the church upholds the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, safeguarding its foundation against the deceptions of Satan.
Comprehensive List of Quotations and References
From Scripture
- Matthew 5:18
- “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.”
- 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.”
- Matthew 24:35
- “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
- Isaiah 40:8
- “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
- Titus 1:9
- “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:19
- “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
- Colossians 2:8
- “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- Genesis 3:1
- “Yea, hath God said…?”
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
- “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
From John Owen
- The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16:
- “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.”
- “If the Scripture were left to the uncertainties of human opinion, its authority would be diminished, and its purpose as the rule of faith and life would be lost.”
- “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 Scripture is now become the only external means of divine supernatural illumination, because it is the only repository of all divine supernatural revelation.”
- “The preservation of Scripture is not a matter of chance or human effort but the result of God’s singular providence, ensuring that His Word remains pure and unaltered for His people.”
From William Whitaker
- Disputation on Scripture:
- “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.”
- “This verse affirms that God’s Word is immutable or unchangeable… This attribute is applied to every letter, syllable, word, and sentence.”
- “The Scriptures were not given to be altered or corrected by the whims of men, but to be received as the perfect Word of God, preserved in its entirety by His will.”
- “The immutability of Scripture cannot be confined to the Old Testament but must include the New Testament, which is equally the Word of God.”
- “The Scriptures were not given to be altered by the whims of men but preserved by God as the foundation of all faith and practice.”
From James Ussher
- Body of Divinity:
- “Not one jot or prick of the Law shall perish, whereby it should appear that the Law and the Prophets had vowels and pricks.”
- “The perfection of the Word of God consisteth in this, that nothing may be added thereto, nor taken therefrom, nor any jot or tittle lost.”
- “The Word of God is one in substance and authority, differing only in its administration between the Old and New Testaments. To deny the preservation of one is to deny the preservation of the other.”
- “Neither one jot nor one tittle shall be lost, for the Scriptures are the repository of divine truth, preserved by God for all generations.”
Key Theological Concepts Referenced
- Jot and Tittle:
- The jot refers to the smallest Hebrew letter (yodh), and the tittle refers to a minor stroke distinguishing Hebrew letters.
- Providential Preservation:
- The doctrine that God preserves His Word perfectly throughout history, ensuring its reliability and authority.
- Unity of the Testaments:
- The theological principle that the Old and New Testaments are one in substance and purpose, differing only in administration.
