Why Adhere? - (Part 2) Because the Bible is Dependable

There have been many debates on whether the Bible is dependable, historically or scientifically, but since our knowledge of science has been growing constantly over the last 2000+ years, you would think that what we as humans have learned in the past should be able to help us in our pursuit of proving the validity of the Bible, and decide whether the world evolved, or was created. Such is the case. As we have found that the universe does not revolve around the Earth, and we have gone deeper and deeper into space, we are able to make rational judgments off of that knowledge, such as, this great span of space is way too complex to have come out of nothing, and the Bible must be correct! That is what we should do as Christians, we should be out in the fields of science, advancing our knowledge of this fabulous world that we are stewards of for God.

When the Bible is shown to be in sync with science, people have two choices: receive the Bible for what it is, God's word, or discard that portion of science-that-fits-with-the-Bible as irreverent. Often when someone chooses the latter, they will go farther than ignoring evidence, or ignoring the person who discovered that evidence and try to find some scrap of evidence that shows just the opposite of what contradicts their presuppositions, and glorify it as solid proof (The Nebraska man, for example). When you come across someone like that, someone who will just not listen, there is not much that you can do to influence that person. They have a blind eye towards the Bible, and their problem is rooted in the heart. They should be loved and prayed for just as any non-believer. But sometimes people will look at all that the Bible teaches and their eyes will be opened, and they will be able to see how the Bible fits everything together so perfectly, and because of that, they will become Christians.

But sometimes it is appropriate to give some examples of how the Bible fits together so seamlessly, if it will be edifying to the person. Some examples might be the prophecy of Tyre, or the intricacy of the hummingbird, or the giraffe, seashells, the position of the sun in relation to the Earth, the position of the moon in relation to the Earth, the absurdity of evolution, or a religion that contradicts itself or allows it's people to lie to infidels.

Just remember that the goal is not to win the argument. The goal is to win souls for Christ, and to give Him all the recognition.

Why Adhere to the Bible? - (Part 1) Because it's God's Word

Because the Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Tim 3:16), it provides us with something that we can not get anywhere else, it gives us God's perspective on things.
This world contains a wealth of information, and our library's are stuffed full of books on science and theology and stuff, but only God can speak to us with absolute certainty about eternity and the future. Though much can be learned of God through nature, we need to go to the Bible daily, and study it long and hard in order to gain this knowledge, but we should never just skim it and kind of “read” it in our spare time. We need to devote the greater part of our memory and time to the studying and application of the the only divinely inspired word, and ask for God's direction in those pursuits.
The Bible also tells us about God, and of His characteristics, and His feelings toward a certain action. Without that knowledge that is stored in the Bible, we are blind to all He has said and done for us.

Most people will say that because the Bible was put to paper by finite humans that it can not be excellent enough to be the word of God. Or because the Bible was written way back in the “Bible times” and they didn't know that much back then, it couldn't be applicable to us today. Some people will bring up the example of Luke 10:4: “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.” Does this mean that missionary's are supposed to go barefoot? Is it still valid in a shoe-wearing world? How literally should we take this passage? Those are very good questions, and people run into questions like them all the time. Now you probably don't think that we should all go barefoot, but let's look at the following questions: Is this verse entirely custom, entirely principle, partly principle-partly custom, or partly principle? Whenever you are looking for the answer, it is important to always take an exegetical approach, and ask God for the wisdom to understand His scriptures.

There's a reason why the Bible is the worlds best seller. Adhere to that book and the Writer of that book!

The Importance of Knowing the Scriptures - Hermeneutics

Reading the Bible is important, but often we interpret what we read in the wrong way. When this happens we can not make an accurate defense of the Scriptures. Likewise, we can take verses out of context, or use them the way we see fit, imposing our own beliefs upon the scriptures, and not looking for the meaning of that passage. That is what the devil wants. If he can help it, no one will know the true meaning of the scripture. To prevent this, we go into hermeneutics: "the art of finding the meaning of an author's words and phrases." (Webster Dictionary)
One of the components of the above practice is going back to the original language(s) that the Bible was written in. Once we go back to that language (Hebrew or Aramaic for Old Testament, Greek for New Testament) we can find out how each word could be translated.

Example: John 21:15
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?'
"Yes, Lord," he said, 'you know that I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'"
The love that Jesus talked about and the love that Simon Peter talked about came from different Greek words, they were not talking about the same love!

Example #2: Ezekiel 26:6 KJV vs. NIV
"Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’" (KJV)

"And her settlements on the mainland will be ravaged by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (NIV)

Do you see the importance?

Application:
Next time you read a controversial passage, or an interesting or perhaps thought provoking verse, go to a Bible commentary such as Calvin's Commentary and they should give you the background for that verse along with some explanation. Or better yet, get a Greek New Testament, and a Hebrew/Aramaic Old Testament, and learn some new languages! But whatever you do, don't be selfish in your Bible readings, give God all the glory.
The Adherent