Assaults on the Bible

Psalm 19:7-14

Introduction

1.      The emphasis of Jesus on Scripture

2.      The emphasis of the apostles on Scripture

3.      The emphasis in the Reformation on Scripture

4.      The emphasis in our history on Scripture

5.      Attacks on the Bible are attacks on the foundation of our faith  

Discussion

1.      “Miracles are impossible because they contradict science”

a.       The stories concerning Daniel, Jonah, Elijah and others are rejected as myths

b.      The Exodus “never happened”

c.       Jesus was not raised from the dead according to these “self proclaimed experts”  

2.      “Books have been lost and books have been added”

a.       Earlier there were contentions that Moses did not give the law and the apostles did not write the New Testament

b.      Now there are claims that there were other books rejected because the church did not approve what they said  

3.      “The Bible is out of step with the times”

a.       For these people, they still believe that the Bible is God’s book, but its “outdated and antiquated precepts” are no longer applicable to a modern generation – the assumptions that underlie this view

                                                            i.      God could not have anticipated our times

                                                          ii.      Morals change

b.      The roles of men and women, as set forth in the Bible, are no longer relevant for an “enlightened” society – the assumptions that underlie this view

                                                            i.      The Bible was produced by a patriarchal society for a patriarchal society

                                                          ii.      The Bible represents a view that says men are superior to women

c.       Homosexuality is simply an “alternative” life style – the assumptions that underlie this view

                                                            i.      People are different and there is nothing wrong with expressing those differences in the way we act

                                                          ii.      The Bible prohibitions do not apply

d.      “Worship needs to reflect the music of our age” – the assumptions that underlie this view

                                                            i.      There were not many choices available to first century Christians

                                                          ii.       Worship is improved by adding modern elements

                                                        iii.      God has no objections to additions to worship  

4.      “The Bible is subject to various interpretations and all are equally valid”

a.       People often claim, “That is just your interpretation!”

b.      It is assumed that people cannot come to a common understanding of what is meant in the Bible, and therefore, one interpretation is just as good as another – assumption:  everybody is right and nobody is wrong

c.       Every treaty and every contract assumes that people can come to a common understanding of what is in the document  

Conclusion

1.       The Bible has withstood the assaults

2.      It is still the book to define right and wrong

3.      It is still the book to show us what lies beyond death

4.      It is still the book to show us the way