This article, originally published at Suite101.Com deals with the meaning of "Scriptures" on the one hand, and "Word of God" in the other. While it is correct to say that "Scriptures is Word of God" it is incorrect to say that "Word of God is Scriptures." The author explains this using three passages from the new testament.
During one Theology class with our college freshmen, I asked one student what the Bible is. Without hesitating, he answered: "The Word of God." Turning to another, I asked: "But what is the Word of God?" This one looked at me and said: "The Bible."
To say that the Bible is the Word of God is valid especially in the light of the conviction that the Church regards Scriptures not as a human word, but as what it really is, the Word of God (CCC n. 104, cf. DV 24 quoting 1 Thess. 2:13). But to say "Word of God is Scriptures/Bible" becomes problematic especially in the light of the following texts:
Jn. 1:1-5.10-18. This is the opening hymn of the Gospel of John and contains this Gospel's basic conviction about the Word of God. It should be easy to point out that here Word of God cannot be identified with the Sacred Scriptures since the hymn sings of the "Word of God" that "became flesh and made his dwelling among us
