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Why the Bible?

By Rev. Alan R. Wolcott

In a sentence, no man can really be called well-educated if he does
not know his Bible, nor badly educated if he does.
—Harold St. John

“Class, for tomorrow’s assignment I want you to read chapters 6-10.”

“Aargh!”

Many today regard reading the Bible the way my teenage son views his history assignments. Never mind that James Fennimore Cooper had a sensitive grasp of the issues of his day nor that The Last of the Mohicans is a literary classic, the assignment receives the same rigorous attention paid to keeping his living quarters tidy.

For many reading the Bible is equally user (un)friendly. At funerals, in “traditional” wedding vows, from the lips of Elmer Gantry types they’ve gleaned that the language of the Bible is at best Elizabethan, and more likely, truly foreign. Why should anyone care that David begat Solomon, and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat...? The events of the Bible all happened so long ago, how can they be relevant today? Unless you’re Jewish, fanatically into history or religion, or suffering from insomnia why would you want to read the Bible?

Several pointers are worth mentioning in reply.

First, as suggested in the quotation at the top of the page, there is no book that has shaped our culture the way the Bible has. To be ignorant of the Bible is to be ignorant of what a Good Samaritan is, why we celebrate Easter and Christmas, what makes Jerusalem sacred to Christians and Jews. Now, cultural awareness is good, but there are more important reasons.

The Bible claims to be God’s very words, written: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3.16 NIV). The implication is obvious and astonishing; what the Bible says, God says. If we want to know what God thinks about something from a moral and spiritual point of view we need simply to open a Bible. Further, the Bible purports to tell us, humans, of our origin, plight and God’s provision. It is specific enough to affirm in Genesis that we are not the product of time, chance and gratuitous motions of molecules. People were created, shaped by God to share his image and enjoy fellowship with him. Sadly, the Bible is compelled to describe our current situation as cut off from Eden. With the disobedience of our race sin contaminated all our relationships, estranging us from God, the world about us and one another. The Bible affirms that evil must be punished but in wrath God remembers mercy. The story of redemption is central to the plot line of the Bible. God redeems his people from bondage—in Egypt, in exile, in sin, and he does so at great cost to himself. Ultimately, the Bible tells us that renegade humankind was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. God has himself provided the remedy, the only means to reconcile heaven and earth. Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14.6 NIV).

Stated simply, the Bible sets itself forward as the comprehensive articulation of the plan of God for the salvation of his people. No, it does not say everything that could be said, nor touch on everything that might be questioned, nor solve every problem that it raises. But it does give us everything we need for life and godliness—that is for living a life in the fashion God intends for us, different as we are.

That it works has been attested by millions down through the centuries. People of virtually every nation, culture, color and both genders can attest that “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4.12 NIV). Honest critics concede that at points where the text can be tested, it has proven itself to be reliable and accurate in its affirmations and assertions.

Will it work for you?

The Bible can become a lamp for your feet and a light for your path (Psalm 119.105). But you must open it and use it. A good place to begin might be with Luke’s Gospel. The Christmas story is how it starts. You can find it by using the table of contents at the front of your Bible. And, unless you’re into Shakespeare, pick up a new translation—they read much more easily.

Forsooth!