Yesterday while doing some research for a project I’m working on I came across a study that the Barna Group did back in 2009 regarding how different generations view the Bible and how much they know about the Bible. Some of the findings were honestly better than I expected while some were shockingly low. However, one in particular confirmed something I have been hearing a lot lately. When asked if they believe the Bible is the “actual word of God” that “should be taken literally, word for word” only 26% answered in the affirmative. Grouped with that finding were also the following:
- Do you believe the Bible is the “inspired word of God, no errors, some verses are meant to be symbolic?” – 30% answered in the affirmative.
- Do you believe the Bible is the “inspired word of God, has some factual or historical errors?” – 18% answered in the affirmative.
- Do you believe the Bible is “not inspired by God, tells how writers understood ways, principles of God?” – 11% answered in the affirmative.
- Do you believe the Bible is “just another book of teachings written by men containing stories and advice?” – 11% answered in the affirmative.
Okay, the small percentage on those last three was a little encouraging, but still only a quarter of all adults believed the Bible is inspired and should be taken at its word? How has such an ungodly attitude developed in our land? Who is to blame? Many suspects could be mentioned who would be quite obvious (atheists, agnostics, secular progressives, etc.) but I venture to say much of the blame falls at the feet of some preachers!
Now, it is true that we cannot take the blame away from free-will people who have of their own volition come to that conclusion. We each will be held accountable for what we believe and what we do and casting the blame elsewhere will not change that fact (2 Corinthians 5:10). However, when preachers read a verse of scripture and say, “I know this says ___________, but that’s not what it means…” what is influencing those 26% to come to that conclusion is quite obvious.
Just as an example, there is a particular denominational preacher I often listen to on Sunday morning as we are getting ready for worship that one week was preaching on the need to call upon the name of the Lord in order to be saved. That is a perfectly legitimate and needed subject as Paul addressed it in Romans 10:13. However, in the course of making his point that calling on the name of the Lord is as simple as saying the “sinner’s prayer” I was surprised when he began to read from Acts 22:16. In that verse Ananias told Saul of Tarsus, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” However, as soon as he read it he gave a disclaiming statement by saying, “Now I know that verse says Saul was told to be baptized in conjunction to calling on the name of the Lord, but that’s not what it means!” It was at that point I had to restrain myself from throwing my remote through my television. It doesn’t mean what? Perish the thought that God in His infinite wisdom would be able to reveal truth to man in such an understandable way that he could read it and take it at face value! And to add insult to injury, some of these same preachers will stand up and in bemoaning the lack of respect for Bible authority in our land cast the blame on the secular progressives among us when they are the real problem!
To combat this notion Paul wrote regarding God’s written revelation that “when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). That’s all it takes; one simple verse to combat a world of ignorant error. What does the Bible mean? It means was it says and says what it means. The only question that remains is are we willing to believe it and obey it?
-Andy Brewer