What about the Bible?

It’s popular in some circles to claim that the Bible is not necessarily the Word of God. In fact, there is an army of social media influencers who would love to convince you that the Bible isn’t just false, but that it’s downright evil. Rather than viewing it as the authoritative message from God for people, they see the Bible as an antiquated library of books that we can examine like ancient relics. The Bible becomes more like a spiritual travel journal than the inspired Word of God by which we should live our lives.

When I first heard of these new (to me at least) ways of reading and understanding the Bible, my view of Scripture as the Word of God was what I was taught at my private Christian schools, in my evangelical churches, and by my Bible-believing parents. But was this belief nothing but a blind leap of faith?

If the Bible is reliable, then I have good reason to believe that what it records Jesus saying and teaching is accurate. And according to the four Gospels, Jesus has quite a bit to say about Scripture. In fact, Jesus quoted from the Old Testament many times, calling it the very word of God.

When Jesus was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, he, as the Creator of the universe, could have called a legion of angels to his side to banish the devil. Instead, Jesus chose to fight using the authority of the Scriptures. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, he said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4, ESV).

Over and over again, Jesus stated explicitly that Scripture is the very Word of God. One example is when the Pharisees were trying to trip him up in Matthew 15. He answered by referencing several commands from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, saying, “For God commanded . . .” (verse 4, ESV).

As followers of Jesus, we should understand Scripture the way Jesus understood it. Jesus clearly taught that it is God’s inspired Word . . . with the authority to inform and correct our behavior.

As Scripture was a shield and refuge for Jesus, let’s follow in his footsteps by praying Psalm 119:114, ESV:

Father,

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Amen.