“Direct my steps by Your word …” (Ps 119:133, NKJ)
We live in a time where the status of the Bible is, to a large degree, being questioned, even by believers. The most recent synod meeting of the Dutch Reformed Church was, in my opinion, not actually about the status of gay people within the church; rather it was a debate at the deepest level about the status of the Word of God. In our postmodern time there are few scholars (even theologians) who in any way believe that there is an Absolute Truth. This results in many people being very confused about the legitimacy of Biblical Truth. (This is also because they very often do not know how the Bible asks to be read.)
Most people consider the Bible to be merely a historical document in which the history of mankind has been recorded and written up, indeed from the (limited) perspective and happenings of a specific nation, the Jews, who God apparently chose to reveal Himself to. They maintain that it is interspersed with a variety of genres, such as different narratives (stories) and comparisons, poetry (psalms), wise sayings (proverbs) and dramatic prophetic interludes which makes it very interesting, but, it remains to them a dated historical document.
Many of the Old Testament writings appear to be rather preposterous, they argue, because who in our modern society would agree that their daughter can be sold as a slave (Ex 21:7); that no work can be done on a Saturday (Ex 35:2); that people who are disabled, or too thin, or who have deformed genitals, or who have a hunchback, are forbidden from bringing offers to God (Lev 21:17-21); that a man or woman who has been unfaithful should be stoned to death (Lev 20:10), rebellious children too (Deut 21:18-21); that you may not eat pork chops or garlic snails (Lev 11:7 & 11); that you may not plant watermelons and pumpkin in the same piece of land; and that you may not wear a silk shirt and cotton underwear at the same time (Lev 19:19)? Yet, it is all in the Bible as strict requirements, black on white. Who gives you the right to pick and choose what you want to obey, the critics of the Bible will, rightfully, say.
Due to ignorance and especially due to mixing the old and new covenants, people often have a grossly incorrect understanding of the Bible and use what is considered ridiculous to discredit it.
Clearly, many people mock spiritual things purely because they do not understand them (2 Pet 2:12; Jude 1:10). Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18 that the Bible is often foolishness for those who are perishing, but for us who are saved, it is the power of God. But, in order to experience it as the power of God, it is essential that you understand PRECISELY what the Bible is.
- Sela: Try to motivate why the Bible is important for you as believer.
- Read: 1 Sam 3; Ps 119:56-120 ; Acts 28
- Memorise: 1 Sam 3:7; Ps 119:105
- Going deeper: Use Handbook to the Bible by P&D Alexander (eds) to verify for yourself factual knowledge as well as the history of the Word of God.