Is the Bible Culturally Out of Step? (Preached Sept. 16, 2012)

Anyone who hasn’t heard it is encouraged to listen to Kevin’s message from this past Sunday. This blog begins a weekly practice of publishing additional thoughts about the message and asking the important question: how does this message encourage us to live life in God this week?

My guess is that we feel differently about the Bible’s authority at different times in our lives. “Love is patient, love is kind” from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians sure seems right when it is read as an authoritative word at weddings. And “honor your mother and father” from the Ten Commandments has given many children (apparently including our pastor!) cause for resentment against the Bible quoted so authoritatively by our parents. We respect the Bible’s authority. But then sometimes, maybe when we feel the Bible is just “picking on us,” we aren’t so sure.

In the Scripture text on Sunday, we saw how Jesus referred authoritatively to Scripture to explain his view of the truth to others during a disagreement. For Jesus, Scripture was a constant guide – never irrelevant or misguided – but always leading him into deeper union with his Father. It was used for building up his own life in God and those of others, and never used merely to win an argument. The one Son of God became human and learned to think, speak, pray, make decisions, to live, and even to die from Scripture.Henry Ward Beecher once said:

“Sink the Bible to the bottom of the ocean, and still man’s obligations to God would be unchanged.  He would have the same path to tread, only his lamp and guide would be gone; the same voyage to make, but his chart and compass would be overboard!”  

This journey is to become like Jesus Christ. The Bible is beyond valuable not only for teaching us the ways of Jesus Christ, but also in showing us the good news – that Jesus’ eternal life does not get into us through greater exertion or discipline on our part. Through faith, we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit brings this new life in us to a firm maturity – a Christian, a little Christ, at last! Only the Bible tells this to us. Other books will tell you how to be a better cook, a better manager of time, a better communicator. But if we are living to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (forever!), it will only be because the Bible has had authority in our lives.

Reflection Questions:

Where does your faith feel most vulnerable to outside attacks? Is there a book you read, or a friend you speak to in order to find reassurance?

How does your faith help to shape the culture – the humor, the rules, the relationships, the sharing of responsibilities – in your home or at your job?

What steps are you currently taking to answer some of the questions you have about the Bible and the Christian faith?