Recently on a Wide Awakes post, Dean (blueworm of TodaysDemocracy.com) talked about the Christian Bible. His post inspired quite a bit of discussion which, generally, remained civil and on-topic. I would like to respond to his post, using some of the comments I made as a starting point. However, I want to be very clear on my worldview, and my position on others’ points of view.
I am an evangelical Christian. I believe that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God, perfect in the original manuscripts. I believe that God has preserved His Word so that, in most of the translations we have today, His Word is preserved in its original meaning and context, and is the ultimate guide for belief and action for every person on earth.
I do not believe that people who disagree are automatically non-conservative, un-American, non-persons deserving of condemnation, ridicule and scorn. (That was a warning to any trolls who might happen to pass by.) As a Christian, it is my biblical belief that every person is created in the image of God, and is deserving of respect and courtesy, even if, biblically speaking, I consider them wrong. Keep that in mind.
All right, then. Onward:
In recent years, bible-believing Christians have become inured to the attack on their worldview by the media and public education and the ACLU. Although this country was founded on religious freedom, and respect for personal liberty, Christians in this century have been attacked, ridiculed, and impugned in the court of public opinion. We have been associated with Islamic fundamentalists, quasi-Christian cults, and a theocratic agenda.
I submit to you that these views are extremist and far from the “norm” of the Christian mainstream. Although many Christians hold to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, we do not insist that everyone conform to those precepts. Biblical Christians do not submit themselves to false doctrines of “Prosperity Theology” or cults of personality or other unbiblical heresies. We do not condone conversion by force, for that is no conversion at all. We believe that every person is accountable to his own conscience, and will be judged by that conscience after death. We believe that we must be honest and call sin by its proper name, and yet that we must cherish each sinner me we meet - after all, we, too are sinners ourselves. We believe in moral standards not only because they honor God, but because following the Ten Commandments to the best of our ability leads to a strong country, law-abiding citizens, and better health. We believe that there was one true Theocracy, and that another true Theocracy will not be re-established on this earth, short of the Lord’s return.
The Bible itself is an incredible book with wide influence on three major religions of the world - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It has inspired poets and artists, scientists and politicians, philosophers and theologians for thousands of years - Shakespeare, Dante, C.S. Lewis, Milton, Dickens, Tolkein, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, Wesley, Livingston, Newton, Pascal, Einstein, Galileo, Wilberforce, Lincoln, Washington, Reagan, Graham, Behe, Anselm, Aquinas, Kierkegaard, Moody, Webster, Penn, Edwards, Bunyan -- and I’m just naming off the top of my head.
This Book, as you may know, is actually a collection of sixty-six different books, written by different authors on different continents, over a span of approximately 2,000 years. And yet, despite all that, it is a wonderfully integrated tale of a holy God, a sinful humanity, and an ultimate solution. This Book has the greatest stories (the life of the Christ, Jonah and the Big Fish, David and Goliath, Paul and Peter's escapes from prison, the Battle at the end of the world), the most sublime poetry (Song of Solomon; Psalms 23, 91, 121, 139; Job 38 and 39), practical philosophy and theology (Romans, Galatians), good advice (Proverbs, 1 and 2 Timothy), history (Genesis, Exodus, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Acts), love stories (Ruth, David and Bathsheba, Christ and His bride), villains (Judas, Pharaoh, Anti-Christ, Satan), heroes (David, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Rahab, Stephen the Martyr, Peter, John, Paul - and the greatest Hero of all, Jesus the Christ)… The Book is inexhaustible for uplifting examples, adventure, intrigue, and for all the seasons in the life of a man (or woman).
The Bible also has ample archaeological proof backing up its historical claims. No other book in the world is required to go through the scrutiny that the Bible’s critics have forced upon it, and no other book has come through the criticism so well. Here is a small sample of what's available: Wondering about the Christ’s death, burial and resurrection? Look at The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel. What about the accuracy of the Biblical text, as compared to the original documents? Read The NEW Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. How about the New Testament in particular? Read The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg. For an excellent collection of various sources and references, actually, Josh McDowell’s book is essential. In other words, there is a lot of research out there which too many people don’t even try to review. I highly recommend authors like Gary Habermas, Henry Morris, Norman Geisler, R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Charles Spurgeon, and Francis Schaeffer for good information on the Bible and theology. I also came across an article in the Weekly Standard (HT to Third World Country) about Bible Illiteracy in America which is well worth the read.
How about the influence the Bible has on people’s lives? Dr. Martin Luther King was a Bible-believing Christian - and he changed the world through the civil rights movement. One of our greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, didn’t begin as a Christian, but became one while he was in office. Nevertheless, throughout his life, he gave honor and respect to the Word of God and let it guide his actions. Another great man influential in abolishing slavery was an Englishman named William Wilberforce. He was elected to the British House of Commons at 21 years of age, and fought for the next forty-five years to outlaw slavery in England.
Dr. Billy Graham is a Bible believer, too, and more people have heard the Word about God’s grace and forgiveness than ever before, spoken in Dr. Graham’s voice. What about his son, Franklin Graham? Franklin’s belief in the tenants of God’s word have led him to found Samaritan’s Purse, a ministry which goes everywhere to show the face of Jesus in the form of a helping hand. Consider Mother Theresa’s life of self-sacrifice and joy in service: where did her courage and dedication come from? It wouldn’t have happened without God’s Word in her life. John Newton was pretty much a criminal in his youth: involved in the slave trade, a profane and undisciplined man. And yet, through the hand of God, his life changed and he went on to write many beloved hymns, including “Amazing Grace.” Charles Colson, one of President Nixon’s advisors and convicted in the Watergate scandal, found Christ one night and started Prison Fellowship.
There are so many more examples out there that I could never name them all. Chances are, someone close to you has been changed for the good by the words written in this Book. Yes, there are many instances of those words being twisted and perverted - but that is the shadow, and not the light. Imperfect people try to tear down, subvert, and destroy this Book about the love of God for all people, even those who revile Him. Fortunately, we have His promise that His Word will not return void, and that it will stand true throughout eternity. The Bible has been translated into more languages, been published more often, and read by more people than any other book in the world. Ever. There is no continent it hasn’t been to, there is no country that does not feel its presence. Therefore, at the end of days, people from every tongue, tribe and nation will be represented at the Throne of God, because of the presence and the power of His Word.
Perhaps I have given some insight as to why Christians in particular so love the Bible, and that we are not unreasonable to do so. We are a family with many faults and dysfunctions, yes - but the Word we love and the God Who gave it to us are perfect and holy, and should not be measured by our failures. Rather, the Bible should be held up as the testimony of grace and love that the Lord God Almighty has shown to His people since the beginning of His creation.
[crossposted to the Wide Awakes] Thanks for letting me know about the broken link. Fixed now!
