A firm belief in 'Biblical'

In recent weeks I have noticed the term ‘Biblical’ being scoffed at. It may have been related to marriage, to church or to everyday living, but the use of ‘Biblical’ before these terms is mocked. So, what does ‘Biblical’ mean and why is their rising opposition to its use?

Let me begin with three basic truths:

‘Biblical’ – God’s Words

2 Timothy 3:16-27 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” All Scripture, meaning the entire Bible, is breathed out by God. Meaning, the words are not from Paul, David or Moses, the words come direct from God through various writers.

‘Biblical’ – Truth

In John 17:17 Jesus is praying to the Heavenly Father and states “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The words of God are truth. The Psalmist adds in Psalm 119:160 “The sum of your word is truth.” Put another way, everything in the Bible is truth – it is not a lie, it is not deception and it is not untrustworthy.

‘Biblical’ – Unchanging

We all change our minds; we all embellish our stories – not God. Numbers 23:19 “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.” God doesn’t lie, everything he says is truth. We find this promise in Titus 1:2 “which God, who never lies.” More than that, God cannot lie Hebrews 6:18 “in which it is impossible for God to lie.”

We therefore can say the word ‘Biblical’ means the words of God, that are always truthful, never a lie and are unchanging throughout time.

Take one of my initial examples:

‘Biblical Marriage’ – The words of God regarding marriage, honoured and obeyed, for His word is truth, never lying and unchanging throughout the generations.

I want you to see, I have put no spin on the matter. Using Scripture (the words of God) we can establish what the term ‘Biblical’ means, we don’t need to add anything to it. However, the question remains, why do so many oppose the use of the term? Here are 5 reasons (I am sure there are more!):

1. They don’t regard the Bible as final authority! – It’s simple really, if God’s word says its wrong, then it is wrong. If God’s word says it is right, then it is right. If God’s word says do it, then do it. If it says don’t do it, then don’t do it. Scripture is the final authority on all matters!

2. They don’t like what they read! – It was Francis Chan who said, “If I come to a part of the Bible I don’t like, don’t understand or think it is wrong, I assume I am in the wrong, not the Bible.” Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it should be ignored or worse disputed!

3. They have witnessed abuse under such a term! – Sadly, too many Christians have used the term ‘Biblical’ to justify abuse. If God’s word is truth, does not lie and is given to us to reveal more of who God is, then it cannot justify abuse. Be wary of tossing the Bible out because of another’s sin!

4. They have never read the Bible – It is striking how many Christians have never read the whole Bible! They hear other people’s opinions and establish views without even reading the words of God! Don’t take a person’s word at face value, go back to Scripture to find truth.

5. Society disagrees – The world says this… Modern day agrees this…It is offensive to current society… If your starting place is this world, then you are going to find the Bible hard to accept as a Christian. However, if you start with the Bible, you will find it is not the Bible that is warped, but this dark world!

So, what are we to do about the current rise in anti ‘Biblical’ views? Get back to the Bible!

Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

Psalm 119:16 – “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word”

Psalm 119:33 – “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.”

Psalm 119:49 – “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.”

Psalm 119:89 – “For ever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

All for Jesus

Pastor Ross Ferguson