What is wrong with the Bible?

The clamor about how wrong the Bible is, never stops.  It will only stop when the devil is permanently removed, 

‘Then the devil, who deceived them [the nations] was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.  They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.’  Revelation 20:10

What do the critics have to say about the Bible?  Lots and lots.  One wonders why the Bible hinders them since they do not believe it.  Those who believe the Bible are not a threat to either society or their specific nation.  Yet God’s enemies never sleep. 

There is, however, one ‘hostile witness’ to the truth of the Bible.  Satan who was in God’s service became a rebel.  He set up his own kingdom from where he influences people to resist, smear and spread fake news about the Bible.  The Bible reveals how the devil deceived Eve with one question, 

‘Did God really say?’  Genesis 3:1

This specific question is the devil’s standard ‘weapon’ against the Bible, God’s Word.   

He teaches his followers to ask questions like, 

• Is Jesus really God?
• Will there really be a New Jerusalem of that size?
• Is there really life after death?
• Are the 66 books of the Bible really God’s Word?

The answer in all cases is the affirmative.  How do we know the Bible is true?  If the Bible was not the truth, there would be no reason for the devil to attack and insult it.  Then the Bible is just a book with no specific relevance.  Yet history records attacks on the Bible through the ages. 

What is wrong with the Bible?

The Bible is not a book that promotes terrorism, coups against governments, lawlessness against the state and fellow citizens.  It does not promote murder, rape, theft, corruption, et cetera.  Yet the attitude of a part of society is very obvious, or subtle.  It says: stay away from the Bible because it is a dangerous, a  very very dangerous book with a horrible message and content. 

The Bible is a free choice book: believe or leave!  Nobody is forced to believe it.  Yet the war against it never stops.  Think of our modern world.  There are many non-believers, skeptics, atheists and others who attack the Bible.  China persecutes Christians and does its best to get rid of the Bible and replace it with their own version.  In many other countries, through the ages, the Bible was burned, banned and brandished as evil.  Yet it has no violent message (unless you distort Scripture as so many enemies of God like to do).  In spite of all that the Bible does not flinch.  It is written, 

‘The Word of the Lord stands forever.’  1 Peter 1:26

Why believe the Bible critics?

Many voices in our time call for the rejection of the Bible.  They maintain that it is only a human document.  Are these critics of the Bible qualified to give an opinion?  Let’s see what a qualified Bible theologian says.

#  The opinion of a Bible expert

Dick Wilson was one of the older generation theologians who still loved the Lord.  He was at home in some 45 languages and dialects to prove the accuracy of the Old Testament. ¹  He said:

• ‘…I contend that our text of the Old Testament is presumptively correct, that its meaning is on the whole clear and trustworthy, and that we can as theists [people who believe in one God] and Christians conscientiously and reasonably believe that the Old Testament as we have it is what it purports to be and what Christ and the apostles thought it to be, and what all churches have always declared it to be — the Word of God and the infallible rule of faith and practice.’ ²
• ‘…we are scientifically certain that we have substantially the same text that was in the possession of Christ and the apostles and, so far as anybody knows, the same as that written by the original composers of the Old Testament documents.’ ³
• ‘In conclusion, let me reiterate my conviction that no-one knows enough that the true text of the Old Testament in its true interpretation is not true.’ ⁴ 

# The Old and New Testaments are a unit

Dick Wilson concentrated mainly on the Old Testament.  Yet the Old and the New Testaments form a unit.  The following quotes demonstrate it.

• Acts 4:25, ‘You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David…..’
• “For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have become your Father?’”  This quote in Hebrews 1:5 comes from Psalm 2:7.
• Romans 9:17a:  ‘For the Scripture says to Pharaoh….’  It comes from Exodus 9:12-16 where God told Moses to go to Pharaoh with His message.
• ‘Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah….’ Romans 11:2-3 refers to 1 Kings 19:10,14.

In the examples we see how the Old and New Testaments are connected.

Conclusion

Whatever the critics claim, it is way more advantageous to trust the Lord and study Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit.  There are too many voices that want to lead us astray and destroy our future hope:  ‘…Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ ⁵

References

1. D Wilson,  A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament, Moody Press, 1959, p 22
2. Ibid  p 9  
3. Ibid  p 10
4. Ibid  p 13
5. Revelation 21:3