Is the Bible about Truth?

In my last blog, I set out my belief that it was God who caused the Bible to be written. He did this in order to explain something of Himself, his method of dealing with men (and women), and to use it as a vehicle through which He can speak to us individually (even if I do not understand how this works).

Towards the end of this blog, I said that there was one element that I had left out. I pointed out that I did not use the word “Truth”. I added that the Bible is used to support various contradictory views and doctrines.

What are we to make of the fact that God inserts stories in the Bible that provoke disagreement (English newspapers would say “controversy”).

Consider the story of Adam and Eve in the early Chapters of Genesis, right at the beginning of the Bible. Was the world was created in seven days, and Adam and Eve the first people, or is it an allegory? I chose this this example because it arouses debate in some places, but is less contentious than it once was. (I have decided that I do not have an opinion on this, but can imagine either to be true.)

Closer to home, the differences in doctrine within the protestant Church concerning Baptism (child or adult) is a matter of conviction to Church-going insiders and completely baffling to outsiders. What is clear is that any one party will be able to demonstrate that their belief is consistent with the Bible and can be derived from it.

More contentious at the present time is the matter of women priests and bishops. This is a serious practical matter. If it can be put as a matter of “Sides” (like a football match), one “Side” looks to the literal writings of the Bible and the other “Side” would say that the Bible should be interpreted in the light of modern day practice and custom. (A bit more complicated than that, I know, but it will do for an 800 word blog). Again, as a practical matter and moving away from the main plot, the outside world looks on and regards the whole thing as slightly bizarre.

Whether it is “Adam and Eve”, “Infant or Adult Baptism” or “Women Priests”, “Pre-destination or Freewill” (to mention another question) or any other belief, they are discussed by the respective parties as matters of Truth. I use the word “Truth” with a pinch of irony. It is inherent in the way that we approach questions to look for the “Truth”. When we have found the “Truth”, we regard its opposite as “Not True”. (I share Martin Mosse’s view on this point – see footnote). Whether or not this is a “Western” or cultural thing, I do not know.

As if to reinforce this approach, we think of Truth as being “Carved in Stone”. One can use this expression to describe the fact that a “Truth” is eternal and unchanging. However, we often use it to express the sentiment that there is no disagreement to be had with this.

The Bible is not a series of individually true statements, which stand alone and are eternally applicable. It is not a book of beliefs and doctrines. Neither is it a book of rules and regulations, whose main purpose is to tell us what we must do and what others must do.

It is something more personal than all these things. It is a vehicle through which God speaks to us about Himself and ourselves. In John 5.39, Jesus says that the Bible speaks about Him. Click here for Link.

It speaks to us personally about God, as well as our relationship to God and our response to Him. In our concern for Truth and correct doctrine, we can easily lose sight of the fact that, if this existence of ours has any eternal meaning, then it is primarily about our own standing and relationship before God. We will not be judged on whether or not we have correct doctrine or know the “Truth”, but whether we have listened to God’s voice in our daily lives.

Finally, I refer you to Martin Mosse’s website “Brainwaves”. http://www.brainwaves.org.uk/ “Brainwaves” is a series of articles and papers, on both religious and secular topics, designed to encourage people to approach questions from alternative points of view to those conventionally followed.

In January 2009, he wrote a paper, Healing of the Church. (click on link)  

Amongst other themes, he considers some of the apparently conflicting views of the Catholic and Protestant church. This is in itself an interesting theme. What readers might also find interesting, as I did, is the proposition that opposites might both be true.

God gave us the Bible – Key Belief Number 10

This entry starts with a bold and unsubstantiated assertion. God gave us the Bible. It is often described as the “Word of God” and amongst Christians, this is one of the less disputed statements.

Exactly what the expression “Word of God” means is altogether another question, but that it is inspired by God is generally not disputed.

Amongst non-Christians, and non-religious people, the opposite is true. It is just a book. It might be regarded as a moral and good book, or on the other hand, as something designed to mislead people away from their own self-directed destiny.

However, I doubt that most non-Christians have even read the Bible. It is, after all, a very long book. (Actually, many Christians have not read the whole of Bible. Although I do not know what the percentage is, my expectation is that it is more than 50 per cent). My version of the Bible is 1,885 pages. That is a lot of pages, especially if you are really not very interested in the subject matter (and much of it is very puzzling).

It is not my intention to debate these views. That has already been done better by others, and I do not suppose that I can add anything to this. The purpose of this Key Belief 10 is for me to describe my views (without, I should add, having to justify them).

Firstly, God tells us about Himself through the Bible. We can understand something of His Power just by looking at the world and what we know of the Universe, but the Bible tells something about the character of God. This can also be a puzzle, as the Old and the New Testaments describe different aspects of God’s character that can appear to be in contradiction. But we’ll leave that question for the moment.

Secondly, the Bible teaches us about God’s dealing with men, both individually and collectively. The Old Testament, in particular, is almost one long story of God’s dealings with the People of Israel and how cared for them, despite their faithlessness towards Him. Some of these dealings are fairly harsh, and certainly uncompromising. The New Testament, however, emphasises God’s love for his People, and shows God reaching out to individuals.

For example, if we read Isaiah 36 – 39, we can see God’s dealing with King Hezekiah, when he laid a problem before God. Click for Link   (This whole story is one of the great stories of the Old Testament and I could not resist including it).

These two statements are fine, as far as they go. However, they could both be taken in an academic sense. One could study the Bible and write theses and academic papers (both of which are worthy tasks) or just acquire knowledge.  But is this not enough?

This leads me to my third statement that the Bible is intended to speak to our hearts, as well as our minds. (I use the word “heart” very loosely here). The Bible is intended to show us how we should respond and behave personally towards God, and in doing so, to change us. It was given as a vehicle for God to speak to us individually. I am not sure whether this is an undisputed statement or not and I certainly do not know how God speaks to us in this way.

Fourthly, through the Bible (and the New Testament, particular), God teaches us how we are to behave towards each other. One famous example is the story of the Good Samaritan (Go to the bottom of the class if you do not know this). Luke 10.29 - 37. Click forLink

Lastly, and therefore fifthly, the writers of the Bible frequently encourage us to read and absorb the stories and writings of the Bible. Its teaching should become embedded in our minds and souls. In Joshua 1.7 - 9 [Click for Link]  (Joshua is the 6^th Book in the Bible), God encourages Joshua, the newly appointed leader of the people of Israel, to read, learn and meditate on the “Book of the Law” (for “Then you will be prosperous and successful….)

As an afterthought, you may realise that I have left out one element in all this. Over the centuries, the Bible has been used to support a multitude of statements and doctrines, by different parts and sections of the Church. Many of these are contradictory. I do not intend in this blog to discuss how these views and opinions are to be reconciled. However, if I can get my head around the subject, I will have an attempt at this in a later blog.