While there are many who would agree that the Bible is
God’s Word, some want to define what that means in their own way. Cults may
accept the Bible, but want to add other writings that are on the same level
with it. Various denominations may want to add the traditions of the church as
an equal authority. Others might want to ignore parts of the Bible because they
are “outdated” or “don’t speak to our modern society.” You can find many ways that
the Word of God is given proper lip service, but essentially rejected in
practice.
There is another way that we can “add to” or “subtract
from” the Word of God without going so far in our doctrine, however. If we fail
to learn, understand, and apply the whole Bible to our lives, we effectively take
away from its authority. By choosing which passages we want to accept and
simply ignoring those we don’t, we have placed ourselves above the Word.
One example of this kind of selective acceptance of
Scripture is found with many “prosperity gospel” teachers. They emphasize the
promises of the Bible regarding health, wealth, and success, while downplaying
or even skipping over passages that teach about trials and tribulation. In the
end, they have created a new Bible, and taken Biblical teaching out of the Word
as surely as Thomas
Jefferson’s scissors.
Accepting the full authority of Scripture doesn’t mean
that we all will agree on every point. Christians have historically disputed
doctrines like predestination and the end times. All sides in these disputes,
however, recognize that they have to account for the whole of Biblical
teaching. You can’t make a good case for a point of doctrine by choosing a few
texts and not addressing the rest. I believe we will continue to debate many
points within the church, but that those involved will do so with a proper
understanding of what the Bible is and where its authority comes from.
As we read and study the Bible, we need to come to it as
God’s authoritative Word. We may find parts of the Bible that are confusing to
us at first, and maybe even some teachings that we wish weren’t there. There
will be some passages we love to study, while others may be a real challenge to
us. We need to accept all the Bible teaches, and understand the focus on Jesus
as Lord and Savior, if we want it to unleash its power in our life.
Sometimes we might find that the most challenging
passages aren’t the ones hard to understand, but those that we can comprehend
but that tell us we need to change our lives. For example, the wonderful good
news of Jesus starts with bad news: we’re sinners, separated from God, and we
can’t help ourselves. People don’t like to be told they’re both evil and
helpless. Without that tough foundation, though, there is no gospel, no story
of how Christ came to take our place and how through faith in Him we are made
right with God. You may find other teachings just a uncomfortable, but remind
yourself whose Word you are reading. Then ask for the power to make the changes
the Word commands.
People naturally want to make themselves the ultimate
authority for their own lives. The Bible has a name for this; it’s called sin,
putting yourself in God’s place. As we humble ourselves to approach God’s
revelation, placing ourselves under its authority and seeking to understand its
teachings better, we can overcome that desire and find our place in God’s
family and kingdom.
