God’s word is under attack today like no other time in history. The number of churches that handle the sword (cover term for Bible, for all my military friends) correctly is dwindling. Preachers use it to push their own agenda, rather than letting it push their agenda. I constantly hear non-believers decry the bible as brutal, evil, homophobic, a bunch of fairy tales, and false. And rather than investigating the truth of the Bible for themselves, even Christians try to explain away the “unpopular” or convicting passages by all kinds of very creative and illogical means. I hear people say that there are many different ways to interpret the Bible, so why should anyone insist that a certain doctrine or teaching must be interpreted a certain way? Now, granted there are certain matters of personal discretion that the Bible affords, such as drinking. We shouldn’t ostracize other believers for drinking or not drinking but just encourage them to hold to their own personal convictions from the Lord (Romans 14). Some matters of doctrine can be divisive (not the Bible’s fault but our own) if Christians aren’t careful to treat one another with love and keep things in reasonable perspective. However, the Word is very clear on all of the major teachings and should be used as a unifying source, rather than one of division. If the Bible is not taken seriously in America, supposed by many to be a Christian nation, and isn’t even held closely to by Christians, how do you suppose it is viewed in other parts of the world or by non-believers? Christians must realize that without God’s Word this world is hopeless. There would be no instruction from our creator in how we should live, govern, treat one another, and there would be no hope for anything beyond this cruel death-stricken world. Maybe if we treated the Bible how it should be treated--by doing what it says—others would recognize it as the beacon of hope that it is.
Luke 6:49
(NIV)
49 “But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
I readily admit that there are very difficult passages of scripture to interpret, but I have never come across a passage or verse that I could not find a reasonable, well researched explanation for. I see people throw out Old Testament verses from Leviticus or Numbers that at first glance can be very confusing or even disturbing to our 21st Century American worldview. I want to touch on the 3 main categories of Bible challenges that I see thrown at us today. As I am granted time, I hope to cover the following topics in individual blog posts:
Old Testament Laws
Contradictions
Miracles and Scientific/Historical Inaccuracies
I want to be fair and not pick the low hanging fruit, so if you have had difficulty with a challenging passage, topic or teaching, feel free to suggest a topic in the comment box below or on Facebook if we are friends. Same goes for my atheist/skeptic friends out there! I don’t have all the answers, but I know I can find them.
I also hope to write a post on the evidence I hold to in knowing that the Bible is true, God’s word, and the only source of truth and hope for this world.
I pray that He will strengthen our trust in Him, and that we would show others the reason for the hope we have in Him. Above all, I pray we would hear His word and obey it, placing our hope firmly on Him as our Rock and solid foundation.
And remember:
Hebrews 4:12
(NIV)
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
