On the surface it certainly is a compelling reason to take on board a church as being serious about what it’s about.
We are a Bible believing church.
Well that’s it then. Case closed. No arguments from anyone.
Oh but wait. What on earth is meant by that? It’s in the Bible – so what? There’s quite a lot in the Bible, how do I know what you’re referring to in the Bible should be applied in the way you’re applying it?
When you say you believe the Bible, you believe what about the Bible? That it is true? When you say it is true, the whole thing? And what do you mean by true? After all the collection of books is made of writings that are not historical accounts and the range of literary types to be found in it is so wide it is why the collection itself is regarded so highly as a masterpiece. So what does it mean to say it is true?
Also, what does it mean to believe something? Is that a mental thing? Does that affect behaviour at all on a corporate and individual level?
Unfortunately what tends to happen with the term being a Bible believer is that it is a cover-all that addresses so much that it addresses nothing at all. It’s not helpful. I appreciate there are some who claim to follow Jesus who dispute a great deal of the authority of scripture, but the answer to that is not to revert to such a general term that its application is open to such abuse. The Bible is important for so many reasons – and it is exactly because it is so important that it cannot be limited to something as simplistic as saying you believe it.
I suggest it might be more helpful to use following Jesus as the first port of call and then explaining the role understanding the Bible plays in that. And when referring to that using some helpful themes that run throughout scripture but also acknowledging that it is not a straightforward easy process. That is why seeing Christ in scripture is something that is illuminated by the Spirit rather than my own intellect, or the brilliance of my textual analysis.
If you love the whole Bible believing schtick, I only urge you to consider carefully what that means and how you apply that in your own understanding, the context of your church community who may not have the same impression. Crucially it is important to know how to convey that to those outside that context who you may want to enter that context.
Now you may return to enjoying the Bible.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C.L.J. Dryden
Life With CD 