The Word of God

Makestraightpaths.com examines the teachings of the religious group variously known as “the Family,” “The Family International,” the “Children of God,” or the “Family of Love,” and evaluates these teachings from a Christian perspective.

This page is one of a series examining the position of the Bible in Family theology.

The Word of God

The ‘Word of God’ is a familiar term to all Christians, and is usually taken to be more or less synonymous with the Bible. Members of the Family readily affirm that the Bible is God’s Word, but this does not mean they are in agreement with the churches. There are in fact enormous differences between the meaning of the ‘Word’ in the Family and the 'Word of God' in mainstream Christianity.

Reading the ‘Word’ in the Family is strongly emphasised. In fact, since the beginning of the Family there have often been attempts to regulate the amount of time that members had to spend ‘in the Word.’ Family members are encouraged to study and memorise the Word.

At the very beginning, the 'Word' was the Bible, no more and no less. However, it did not take many years for the Family definition of the ‘Word of God’ to expand to include the writings of the founder of the Family (Berg/Dad). Later, the Word came to include the writings of his successor (Zerby/Maria) as well as ‘prophecies’ - officially judged to have been anointed by God - given by Family members.

Therefore, a Family member may spend an hour or two reading official Family publications without touching a Bible, and be perfectly satisfied that s/he has been studying the Word of God. In fact, Family members would not be overly concerned if they went weeks or even months without reading their Bibles, as long as they were avidly studying Family publications.

It is not that the leaders of the Family have been deified, rather that their writings have been judged to have the same level of divine inspiration as the writings of the leaders of the early church, as recorded in the pages of the New Testament. That is, official Family publications are seen as carrying the same authority as the Bible.

Further, official Family writings are frequently given precedence over the writings in the Bible, as the Family teaches that there are portions of the Bible that cannot be properly understood without the benefit of their own publications. In other words, Family members use Family writings to understand the Bible, and even judge the Bible according to what Family publications say.

For example, in the New Testament Paul unambiguously condemns sexual relations between the unmarried, a teaching which contradicts official Family policy. However, the Family claims that their own writings covering this topic are the ‘Word of God’ as much as the Bible is and place their own publications on the same level as or even above the Bible. Then, using Family writings as a guide, they feel quite free to disregard Paul, and justify their sexual practices. The same holds true for other controversial Family doctrines.

The primary question that must be addressed, therefore, is not the biblical attitudes towards sex, salvation or spirit helpers. Before one examines the passages that talk about sex, it is imperative to learn what the Bible says about itself.

Specifically, does the Bible allow for other writings to also be considered the Word of God? According to the Bible, may one interpret the Bible using the ‘inspired’ writings of a modern day ‘prophet’ as a guide?

There is no question that Family members do see the Bible as God’s Word. However, it is also true that they see much of it as being outdated, or superseded by God’s ‘latest revelations’ coming through ‘prophets’ who are members of the Family.

This page examines these crucial issues. The implications of such an investigation are far-reaching. If, in fact, the Bible allows for other writings to be termed God’s ‘Word’ then one would need precise criteria whereby their authenticity could be determined. How would they be judged?

If, however, the Bible proclaims that it stands alone and above all other writings, then it is the Family publications that would need to be judged by the Bible, not the reverse. Instead of the current practice of using Berg/ Dad to interpret Paul, Family members would need to use Paul to judge Berg/ Dad. It seems that this would inevitably result in elimination of several core Family doctrines.

Dictionary definitions

WORD (excerpts)

The theological meaning of "word" within Scripture spans a wide theological spectrum. From the divine point of view, it consists of God revealing something about himself through his spoken word, which is ultimately and perfectly personified in his Son, Jesus Christ. In a broader sense, it designates Scripture itself. In contrast, the human word mirrors the human condition: it is limited, fallen, and dependent on divine intervention for restoration and sustenance.

The Word of God. The Old Testament. The concept of the word of God is a major Old Testament theme. It points out the absolute uniqueness of Israel's religion on the basis of personal contact with Yahweh the transcendent, sovereign, creator God.

It is the means by which God created all things. Genesis 1 firmly establishes God's supremacy over the whole of creation. God has created all things by his spoken word.

It unveils God to his creation. Though fully transcendent and incomparable deity, in giving his word to people, God reveals something of himself to them.

The close connection between God and his word means that the qualities attributed to God's word also describe God's own personal character.

It is supremely authoritative for all of creation. As God is supreme deity, his word bears supreme authority. The expression "the Lord has spoken" (Isa 24:3) signifies unrivaled authority. It is uncontestable. No power can overturn it or thwart it. God's word is authoritative for all of creation.

The New Testament. The New Testament reiterates the Old Testament depiction of the word of God as the divine means of creating and sustaining all things (Heb 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5-7), as divine revelation (Rom 3:2 ; 1 Peter 4:11), and as prophetic speech (Luke 3:2 ; 2 Peter 1:19). Hebrews 4:12-13 powerfully sums up its supreme authority as "living and active sharper than any double-edged sword, " able to expose even the most hidden thoughts before God.

But the New Testament significantly deepens the Old Testament in light of the incarnation. In view of Jesus' life and work, the word of God now especially refers to God's consummate message of salvation to all people, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, the New Testament richly describes the gospel as "the word"

Scripture. The word of God has also come to refer to Scripture itself. In the Old Testament, the words God had given Moses at Sinai became written law (Exod 24:3 ; Deut 4:10-14 ; 27:3 ; 31:24-29). The Ten Commandments were called "the word of the covenant" (Exod 34:27-28); all of God's revelation to Moses was called "the words [book] of the law" (Deut 28:58 ; 31:24 ; Joshua 8:34 ; 2 Kings 22:13), "word of the Lord" (2 Chron 34:21), and "word of truth" (Psalm 119:43).

By the New Testament era, the word of God as Scripture referred to the entire Old Testament, to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (cf. Matt 15:6 ; Mark 7:13 ; John 10:35). The idea of Scripture as being "God-breathed" (2 Tim 3:16) suggests that the entire Old Testament represents God's revealed word and holds supreme authority for faith and practice.

(from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

WORD OF GOD

The means by which God makes Himself known, declares His will, and brings about His purposes. The phrases such as word of God, and word of the Lord are applied to the commanding word of God that brought creation into existence <Genesis 1; 2 Pet. 3:5> and also destroyed that same world through the waters of the Flood <2 Pet. 3:6>; to God’s announcement of an impending or future act of judgment <Ex. 9:20-21; 1 Kin. 2:27>; to the word that declares God’s commitment and promises His blessing <Gen. 15:1,4>; and to a particular instruction from God <Josh. 8:27>.

The term word of God is also used of the Ten Commandments given from Mount Sinai <Deut. 5:5>; of the whole Mosaic Law <Is. 2:3>; of specific parts of the Old Testament <Rom. 9:6; 1 Tim. 4:5>; of a more personal communication from God <1 Sam. 3:21; 15:10>; of the directive of God that set in motion John the Baptist’s ministry <Luke 3:2>; of Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God <Luke 8:11>; of the gospel as preached in the early church <Acts 4:31>; and finally of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself <Rev. 19:13>.

God’s word is the primary means by which He is present and working in the world. He is not Himself part of this world, but He acts in it by means of His word. He becomes personally known through His word <1 Sam. 3:21>. His word is powerfully creative <Ezek. 37:4> and its purposes are irresistible <Is. 55:11; Jer. 23:29>. God’s word is totally dependable; it represents His permanent commitment <Is. 40:8>. When heard and responded to, His word meets deep needs in the human heart and provides joy, satisfaction, and confident direction which can be achieved in no other manner <Deut. 8:3; Ps. 119:162; Jer. 15:16>. God’s word has the power to penetrate all pretense and discern “the thoughts and intents of the heart” <Heb. 4:12>.

God’s speaking of His word reaches a culmination in the sending of His Son <John 1:1,14; Heb. 1:1-2>. All that is true of God's earlier word is supremely true of Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is, in a special way, the word of God as it makes known and brings into operation the reconciliation with God which is His purpose for mankind <2 Cor. 5:18-19>. So central is the gospel to the purpose of God in this world that the successful spread of the gospel is the growth of the word of God <Acts 12:24>.

Not only Jesus’ message, but also all that He is communicates God to us. He Himself is described as the word of God <John 1:1; Rev. 19:13>. Jesus brings the presence of God to a new level-- the personal presence of God in the world in a human life.

(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

THE BIBLE

The authority of the Bible is implied by its title, “the Word of God.” It is the written record of the Word of God which came to prophets, apostles, and other spokesmen, and which “became flesh” in Jesus Christ. Christians believe Jesus Christ was the Word of God in a unique sense. Through Jesus, God communicated the perfect revelation of Himself to mankind. For Christians the authority of the Bible is related to the authority of Christ. The Old Testament was the Bible that Jesus used-- the authority to which He made constant appeal and whose teachings He accepted and followed. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and led away to His execution, He submitted with the words, “The Scriptures must be fulfilled” <Mark 14:49>. He saw His mission in the world as a fulfillment of the predictions of the Old Testament.

In the New Testament writings, revelation and response came together in the person of Jesus Christ. On the one hand, Jesus was God’s perfect revelation of Himself-- He was the divine Word in human form. His works of mercy and power portrayed God in action, especially His supreme act of sacrifice to bring about “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” <Rom. 3:24>. His teaching expressed the mind of God.

(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

THE WORD

A theological phrase which expresses the absolute, eternal, and ultimate being of Jesus Christ <John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13>. The Old Testament spoke of the word of God as the divine agent in the creation of the universe: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made” <Ps. 33:6>. In the New Testament, the Gospel of John declared, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” <John 1:14>. Through the incarnation of Christ, God has come to dwell in our midst. Through the life and ministry of Jesus, a unique and final revelation of God has been given-- one superior to the revelation given through the law and the prophets. In Christ, the word of God, God’s plan and purpose for mankind is clearly revealed <2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:1-3>.

(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

The Word made flesh

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

NASU

The book of John was probably written in about 80-90 AD and fills in many details about the life of Jesus that the other three Gospels omit. It is the most theological of the four Gospels, containing lengthy sections discussing the nature of Christ, his relationship with his Father, the role of the the Holy Spirit, and so on. At the point that may originally have been the end of his book, John writes the precise reason why he put pen to paper.

John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. NASU

John wrote the Gospel so that his readers may believe in Jesus the Christ, and therefore be recipients of the saving grace of God.

The first 18 verses constitute the prologue to the book, and introduce many of the major themes that John would expound upon throughout the book as he recounted various incidents from Jesus' life.

Primarily, John sets forth Christ as eternal, pre-existent to his incarnation and at one with the Father throughout all eternity. He intentionally echoes the first verse of the Old Testament, which says that "in the beginning, God created" (Gen 1:1). Clearly, John wishes his readers to draw the conclusion that the Christ is eternal, far more than a mere man. Christ is both distinct from and one with the Father. He is "fully God" (John 1:1 NET), is inextricably linked to the creation of the world, and is cited as being the origin and source of life itself, and particularly, eternal life.

Not only is Christ fully God, he is also fully man. John sets out the incarnation in dramatic simplicity in verse 14, "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us." John is testifying here to the deity of the man Jesus whom he followed and to the humanity of the God he experienced. God became human, fully retaining his deity while taking on the characteristics of a mortal human body.

John said Christ is "with God", he "was God", he is the "light", and he is the "Word."

The Greek word is 'Logos' which may take on many different meanings, but here signifies "the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in the creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah and shone forth conspicuously from his words and deeds" (NT:3056, Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

Jesus Christ is the Word of God in human form.

John was to repeat this important truth in the opening paragraph to his first epistle, clearly setting out that the "Word of Life" became human in the form of Jesus Christ:

1 John 1:1-4

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life — 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us — 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

NASU

In the book of Revelations, also penned by John, Jesus Christ returns as the conquering Lord of the universe, whose "name is called the Word of God" (Rev 19:13 NASU).

Clearly, the expression "the Word of God" has far greater meaning than "the Bible." It is the Word that creates, sustains and destroys life, and it is the Word that became human in the person of Jesus Christ.

The relationship between Jesus, the Word, and the Bible may be expressed like this: Jesus is the physical expression of the Word, while the Bible is the written expression of the Word. Or to put it another way, God has revealed himself to humankind in two principle ways: in the incarnation of Jesus Christ and in the writings of the Scriptures.

It is with the second means of revelation that we are now concerned, that is, the written Word of God in the Scriptures.

It does not take much research into what the Bible says about itself to encounter the majesty of almighty God shining through his written word. The Bible unashamedly magnifies itself above all other books, declaring that it contains the inviolable, authoritative word of God himself.

It is also noteworthy that the Bible does not declare that similar authority may be granted to other writings. God's word in the Scriptures stands supreme.

The inspiration of the Word

“The Bible does not say that the writers were inspired. Paul does not say that. Peter does not say that. What is inspired is the Scripture. The men themselves were not inspired in the sense that they had some supernatural ability which they could use at any point to produce Scripture. The only time they were ever inspired was when God gave them His Word. The rest of the time they spoke independent of any inspiration. And so the Bible knows nothing technically of inspired men, only of inspired words, of God-breathed words. Not Isaiah, not David, not Paul, not John or any other biblical writer was inspired as a person so that he could write any scripture anytime he wanted to. No, there were only very special moments in their lives when they were given directly from God His word to write. And the rest of the time what they wrote was their own...was their own.
So, men were not inspired but Scripture is. God breathed into them and they wrote it down, word by word what God breathed into them. It was more than dictation. They weren't just listening to some voice and writing mechanically every word, it was flowing through their heart and their soul and their mind and their emotions and their experiences. But it came out every word the word of God. As God breathed into them the message and they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, they said it and some of them wrote it down. Miraculous, supernatural, inexplicable process that yields to us the Word of God…” (John Macarthur)

The written Word of God is eternal

On one occasion, Jesus rebuked some Pharisees who were scoffing at him, and declared that the Word of God – which they had been trying to manipulate – was totally irrevocable.

Luke 16:17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail. NASU

In other words, the word that God allowed to be recorded in the Bible – in this case the Old Testament Law – would remain even if the world was destroyed. In fact, Jesus said that the world would be destroyed, but the word of God would still remain.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. NKJV

The Word of God is eternal.

Psalm 119:89-91

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,

for all things serve you.

NIV

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. NKJV

The Word of God is perfect

In numerous places, the Bible declares that God's word is perfection.

Ps 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. NASU

The word "perfect" in the Hebrew means "complete" or "sound."

Ps 119:151-152
151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.
NASU

God's commandments are truth. The Bible is infallible in its overall meaning as well as inerrant in its usage of words, tenses, phrases and expressions.

The Bible versus other writings

It is very important here to note that these passages refer specifically to the Scriptures found in the Old and New Testaments. They do not refer to extra-biblical material, nor are they speaking generally about any message that might come from God. These passages refer specifically to the Law, that is, the Laws of Moses including the Ten Commandments, and the remainder of the Old Testament. The New Testament also calls itself Scripture (2 Peter 3:16).

In other words, the Bible very clearly proclaims about itself that it is the perfect and eternal Word of God. It makes no such claim about extra-biblical writings.

Up to this point, most Family members would probably agree. Family members certainly agree that the Bible is the Word of God and probably would also agree that it is eternal and perfect. However, the crucial point of difference is not regarding the Bible as such, but regarding Family writings, whether they may also be termed the 'Word of God,' on a par with the Bible.

The founder of the Family indeed made this claim about his own "inspired" writings.

However, there are a number of inevitable implications that arise when one allows extra-biblical material to be considered the Word of God, in addition to the Bible itself.

It is the Family's position that God continued speaking to humankind after the Bible was completed. In fact, the founder strongly condemned people who took the position that God became silent as soon as the Bible reached completion. There are, of course, plenty of scriptures that indicate that God would continue communicating with his people. However, there is an unfortunate error in this argument, an error which the founder either intentionally ignored or completely failed to see.

The 'Word of God' is different from God's guidance

As shown above, when the Bible refers to the Word of God, it is talking about God's revelation of his Word, his plan, his truth to all mankind. The Word of God in the Bible is God's self-revelation, written in human languages so that the world, and in particular, his own people may know God himself.

There are numerous expressions within the Bible for the Word of God, including 'Commandments,' 'Law,' 'Law and Prophets,' 'Scriptures' and so on. These all refer to the collection of documents that form one unified revelation. The Old and New Testaments combined are the Word of God in written form.

The Bible also says that God is a personal God, that He would teach and guide his people. This is the wonder of the giving of the Holy Spirit, for with this gift, God comes to dwell within the people who belong to Him.

Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came, He would be in believers as "rivers of living water" (John 7:38). He would "abide with" and "be in" his followers (John 14:17). Further, the Holy Spirit would "teach all things" (John 14:26), "testify about [Jesus]" (John 15:26), "convict" (John 16:8), "speak" (John 16:13) and so on.

However, the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God does not imply that God would indefinitely extend his self-revelation in the scriptures. The indisputable fact of God's ongoing communication with his people, due to his presence within them does not mean that each believer may become a conduit for a new chapter of the Bible. In other words, the 'Word of God' to the world is different from the 'Voice of God' in each believer.

The 'Word of God' is the revelation of God for all humankind, inscribed in written human language, upheld throughout the Bible as the ultimate, eternal, perfect truth about God himself, about humanity, the world, sin, salvation, and about the unfolding plan of God throughout history.

The 'Voice of God' to believers is God's personal presence within them in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit performs various functions within the believer, including guidance and teaching, providing strength for holiness, facilitating the gifts of the spirit and so on.

The 'Word of God' through Paul

The apostle Paul explained the gifts of the spirit in great detail, encouraging believers to allow the spirit of God to move in and through them. It is from Paul that we understand much about the gift of prophecy; it is the writings of Paul that motivate us to learn about God's ongoing personal communication with us.

Yet Paul taught that there was a vast difference between the 'Word of God' in the Scriptures and the voice of God coming through the gift of prophecy. Paul was aware, as were the writers of the other New Testament books, that they were penning the actual revealed Word of God. They were not merely transcribing prophecies they had received. This was something completely different.

Indeed, Paul made it very clear that any prophecy that anyone received was subservient to the Word of God that he, Paul himself was writing.

1 Cor 14:37-38
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
NASU

Gal 1:8-9
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
NASU

Paul warned his readers that the Word of God - including that which he himself set on paper - set the boundaries for all teaching. Do not, he cautioned "go beyond what is written!" (1Cor 4:6).

Prophecies, said Paul, were to "edify the church" (1Cor 14:4), but these prophecies were not to be regarded as the definitive Word of God for the church. In fact Paul instructed the church to "pass judgement" on the prophecies as they came (1Cor 14:29). God's 'Word' by contrast, is that which itself passes judgement upon the church.

Therefore, the opinion of the founder of the Family - that God's ongoing communication with believers proves that the Bible itself may be added to - is based on a fallacy, namely that such divine communication is the same as the 'Word of God' for all humankind. Clearly, this is not true.

Similarities between Old and New Testament prophets are irrelevant. The 'Word of God' is perfect and stands forever. Prophecies given by New Testament believers, as moved by the Holy Spirit, are to be judged by the church whether they are in accordance with the written scriptures in the Bible.

Allowing extra-biblical 'Word of God' implies the Bible is inadequate

Further, if we say that 'anointed' or 'inspired' Family publications are also the revealed Word of God, then we are also saying that the Bible is in some way inadequate. We are saying that the Bible is incomplete or insufficient, for if the Bible was adequate, sufficient and complete, then there would be no need for God to reveal more of His Word to humankind. When the founder of the Family claimed that his own 'inspired' writings were the 'Word of God,' he was making the brazen statement that the Bible was insufficient, inadequate, lacking, incomplete.

He was saying that the Bible is not perfect.

However, the Bible clearly maintains that it is perfect.

James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. NASU

The word 'perfect' in James 1:25 means "brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; perfect" (NT:5046, Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. NASU

The word 'perfect' in Psalm 19:7 means "complete, whole, entire, sound" (OT:8549, The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon).

The Bible is complete, adequate, sufficient, perfect. Human understanding of it may be incomplete, inadequate, insufficient and imperfect, but the Bible itself is complete.

Warnings about attempting to add to the Scriptures

God guards his Word jealously. In fact, there are severe warnings scattered throughout the Bible: no one is to attempt to add to the 'Word of God.' God claims total authorship of His Word; the right to give the Word is His and His alone.

Deut 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. NASU

Deut 12:32 "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. NASU

Prov 30:6 Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. NASU

Rev 22:18-19
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
NASU

On the one hand, these warnings apply specifically to the context in which they may be found. The verses in Deuteronomy and Proverbs are talking specifically about the Law of Moses, while the Revelations verses refer to the book of Revelations as a whole. Yet on the other hand, the inclusion of such severe warnings do not imply that additions may be made to other sections of the Bible. On the contrary, the fact that God warns people not to tamper with sections of His Word would imply that similar prohibitions apply elsewhere, rather than the reverse.

In fact, Paul said that anyone who added to his own teachings a contrary Gospel, he was cursed (Galatians 1:9, quoted above).

Conclusion

The 'Word of God' is an expression that signifies the very nature, power and plan of God himself. It has its expression in the person of Jesus Christ and in the scriptures that are recorded in the Old and New Testaments.

The Bible, therefore, is the revelation of the Word of God that God allowed to put into the form of a book. It is the revelation of God himself. As such, it claims absolute authority over all other writings, and declares that it and it alone may put forward the principles of truth.

The Bible is not merely a collection of writings about God by godly men. It is more than a collection of prophecies or inspired sermons. It is the self-declared expression of the truth that is God himself.

No other writing is on the same level as the Bible, no other holy book, no prophecy, no teaching. This point cannot be over-emphasised. In fact, it would be presumption in the extreme to put any other writing on the same level – no human author should ever dare to approach such a holy position.

While the Bible speaks of God's continual, ongoing presence within believers, and of his communication with them, this is vastly different from the revelation of the 'Word of God.' In fact, as soon as one claims that the Bible may be added to, through additional Word of God coming through prophecy, one is saying that the Bible is incomplete and therefore imperfect. The Bible categorically claims that the Bible is of God's own authorship and is perfect and entire.

The inescapable conclusion from the above is that Family writings may never be considered the 'Word of God.' This is a non-negotiable point. The Bible is the revelation of God, but Family writings are not.

The implications are serious:

Family members who spend their time studying GNs are not reading God's Word.
Teachings that depend on Family material for justification may safely be disregarded as being based on something less than the Word of God.
Family publications that call themselves the 'Word of God,' on a par with the Bible, should be discarded regardless of the content.
Family teachers who declare that their words are the 'Word of God' should be rejected, regardless of the content of their message.

Family publications are not the 'Word of God,' and can never be.