I was at a family funeral this past weekend and got to sit with some old friends and new acquaintances. As we caught up with the people we knew, I engaged the couple across the table – they were the parents of one of the daughters-in-law of the man who died. We exchanged pleasantries, asking the usual questions when the woman of the couple asked me what I did for a living. I told her, and she said, “Is it a bible-believing church?” There were so many responses that went through my mind (most of them pretty snarky), but the occasion didn’t call for that, so I said, “As much as any other church.” Here eyebrows shot up in surprise, so I followed up with, “I think there are a lot of things in the Bible you and I absolutely don’t believe in – like slavery.” That’s where we left it, for the sake of everyone else at the table.
I find this concept – Bible-Believing Churches – to be confusing and frustrating and humorous, all at the same time. Any person who has ever read the entire Bible would have to see the obvious problems with making the claim that they believe the entire thing 100%. From angels and people producing giants in Genesis to Abraham raping and impregnating Hagar and then leaving her and Ishmael in the wilderness to die to the Apostle Paul (or someone writing in his name) telling slaves to be happy in their enslavement to the apocalyptic ravings of John – and so much in between, the Bible is filled with contradictions and so-called God induced mayhem from beginning to end. It is also filled with inspired, beautiful stories and lessons that could help us to change the world if we let them. To treat the Bible like some kind of book of magic that can cure anything is to not take it seriously.
There are no churches or people who have ever or will ever follow the Bible 100%. We all pick and choose parts of it to believe; some of us admit that while others don’t. I don’t think women should keep silent in church, but I do believe that Jesus cured illnesses. I don’t think the world was created in one or six 24-hour days, but I do believe that the greatest commandment is to love one another. I don’t believe in Armageddon, but I do believe that the Kingdom of God will be realized someday. When it comes to the Bible, I will side with Jesus; the only rules that matter are the ones that come down to loving God, neighbor, and self. All the law and the prophets, He said, hang on these (Mt. 22:40).
So, please, if you want to say you are a Bible-Believing Christian, go right ahead and live your delusion. I will honestly admit that I believe much of what the Bible says, but not all of it. I have Jesus on my side for this one, and that’s good enough for me.
Prayer – Guide us, God, with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can understand a little more who You are every day. Amen.
Today’s art is of Jesus by Dirk Walker.