The Bible

The Bible is one of the bestselling books of all time. Many people around the world buy it and read it in various languages and in different translations such as the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV) and the New King James Version (NKJV). The Bible is, in addition to being a bestseller, also a controversial book. Some take issue with its stands against homosexuality and transgenderism. Others try to make a Biblical case for evolution and still others try to point to specific passages that they claim tell exactly when world will end. Why do  all these people have problems with the Bible? The basic reason for this is unbelief, a lack of faith that what Scripture says is true. The leaders of such cults as the Mormons, for instance, hold the teachings of their leaders in higher esteem than they do the Bible, which they believe has errors. Worse still, many today regard the Bible to be outmoded and out of touch with today’s world, just like it was an issue of National Geographic published in the 1970’s. These views contradict the Scriptures themselves which teach such things as as a six-day creation in which God spoke everything into existence, a view which supports people being made only male and female (especially in the marriage state), and the fact that we don’t know when exactly  the world will end. These passages include: Psalm 33:6,9: “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth… for he spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast”. Genesis 1:27b”male and female created he them” and Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”.  Many things in this world change. New scientific discoveries are made and old beliefs about the way the world works are proven false. Nations such as the Soviet Union, that existed 40 or 50 years ago no longer exist today. God’s word, however, is everlasting and never changes. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever”(Isaiah 40:8). Every part of this word is relevant to our lives today just as it was appropriate to those who lived  100 years ago and just as it will be to those who will live 100 years from now. “All scripture is given by inspriation of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works”(II Timothy 3:16,17).  God gives us all the instruction, admonition and comfort that we need in His word. May we read and cherish the Bible as God’s word to us today!

Kevin Rau