There is a large disparity in thinking among religious people regarding how to view the Bible. Among those who self profess as Christians, some view the Bible as the product of ancient men who were plagued by superstition and fallibility. Others view the Bible as a simple declaration of love by God for man. While common in centuries past, few today consider the Bible God’s will for man, to be heeded, obeyed, and used as the guiding pattern for a life acceptable to Him.
The question for us: Are the competing views valid? It is a more complicated question in our time, when so many have changed their thinking about the concept of truth. The postmodern view of truth is that there is none. There is no absolute standard of what is right and wrong. There is only each person’s unique perspective, and each person’s view is equally valid. Such a concept of truth strains credulity, and yet is often accepted with little examination. It is the product of a culture that calls “evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
The traditional view of right and wrong is more tenable. Evil exists in the world. Some things are inherently wrong. There is no justification for racism, hate and murder. Most everyone acknowledges this to be so. To acknowledge this, then contend that the concept of right or wrong is self-determined, is to be inconsistent.
If one accepts the concept of a God who is good, and the concept that inherent good and evil exists, it logically follows that God would reveal what is good and what is bad to His creation. Further, that He would have expectations regarding how He wanted His creation to behave with regard to good and evil. This, in fact, is the self-description of the Bible. So, no view of the Bible can be considered consistent with the Bible’s self-declaration unless it acknowledges a divine standard of right and wrong, revealed in its pages. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
All that remains is to consider the proper response by man to the Bible. Consider the following verses, taken from Psalm 119:
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (1).
“With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from your commandments” (10).
“I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart” (32).
“So I shall keep Your law continually, forever and ever” (44).
“The proud have me in great derision, yet I do not turn aside from Your law” (51).
“I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (63).
It is clear from these passages that the Bible claims to contain God’s will for man, and that this will must be considered a pattern for our obedience. If what the Bible says about itself is true, then our standing with God depends upon heeding and submitting to it.
The only valid view of the Bible for those who purport to be Christians is that it is God’s inerrant will for man. To obey it is to please God, to disobey it is to anger Him.
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