Note:  This is one article in a series which build on one another.  It would be helpful to the reader’s understanding to scroll back and review the previous articles in this series.

A key to identifying neo-orthodoxy is its view of the written word of God.  While neo-orthodoxy speaks the language of Scripture, it does not endorse what the Bible says about itself.  In it’s intellectual prowess neo-orthodoxy discredits the words of the Lord Himself (See Part III). 

The neo-orthodox remedy for it’s destruction of Christ’s credibility is to divorce the historical Christ from the “Word or Logos” of John 1.   The “Word or Logos” of John 1, detached from Scripture, becomes the Christ of one’s imagination.  

The Lord Jesus Christ warned that many would come in His name. The Christ of neo-orthodoxy cannot be the Christ of Scripture, because neo-orthodoxy’s Christ does not, by their own admittance, require the foundation and anchor of Scripture.  

Without the foundation and anchor of Scripture, anyone can make a Christ to their own liking.

It is clear in John 1 that the “Word or Logos” is God; “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” John 1:1. 

It is also clear that the “Word or Logos” is Jesus Christ; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth” John 1:12.  This is not the detached from Scripture Christ of the neo-orthodox; this is the Emmanuel of Matthew 1 “….which being interpreted is, God with us.”

It is clear throughout the Gospels that Jesus Christ endorsed the authority of the written word.  He quoted the Old Testament over and over again.  He resisted Satan’s attacks by rebuking the devil at each temptation with the declaration; “It is written…., it is written,….it is written!”  

Jesus Christ expounded the Old Testament repeatedly to the multitudes as He taught them.  He re-affirmed all of the Ten Commandments but one.  He constantly referred to the OT prophecies concerning Himself.  The Lord continued to expound the OT passages from Moses, the prophets, and all the Scripture concerning Himself, after His resurrection.  

“These (the Scriptures) are they which testify of me” He declared, “and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” 

Can a man declare his love for Christ in one breath and in the next breath deny His very words?  

• Let the Lord be the judge:  “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:” John 14:23 & 24a. 
• Let the written word be the judge: “And this is love that we walk after his commandments.  This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.  This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ………..Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 6&7, 9-11.
• See also John 3:18, John 14:15, John 15:10, & I John 5:1-5.