"God inspired, moved, sovereignly acted in history to preserve His Word and to identify it... It was all Him working, using the tools He chose, as He always does in History."
In the centuries before Christ came in the flesh, He used His chosen people = the Hebrews = the Jews = Israel, assembled around their priests, prophets, kings. In the centuries since, and until He comes again, He is using His Church = the People of God assembled around their bishops.
” In the centuries before Christ came in the flesh, He used His chosen people = the Hebrews = the Jews = Israel, assembled around their priests, prophets, kings. In the centuries since, and until He comes again, He is using His Church = the People of God assembled around their bishops.”
Sure! Agreed. HE did it.
He also used Baalam’s ass. It shows nothing will stop Him from getting his message through - even when people He choose won’t cooperate. He is sovereign.
Under the argument made around here, because God used a group of people, only they can read and interpret the words. If so, the Roman church had better defer interpretation of 2/3 of Scripture to Jewish leaders, and one very small portion to Baalam’s ass. I don’t see that happening.
It is more accurate to thank God for His provsion, treasure it, and study to show yourself approved, as He commands. Interpretation by believers is an important part of that.