Not too long ago, the unsuspecting Christian culture was rocked by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code in 2006. Again, we will see talk shows inundated with want-to-be scholars of the maligned ‘Jesus Seminar’ and other ignorant mouthpieces with a public platform planting seeds of doubt in uneducated Christians. Enter “Angels & Demons”.
Yes the 2nd installment of an attempt to “shake Christianity” has been made. And it has failed even before it’s debut. I say we can learn from this.
What can we as Christians learn from these types of movies and attacks on the one true religion? Simple.
Put It In Perspective
I arrived at a conclusion after all the nonsense and chatter of The Da Vinci Code. Regardless how believable someone could make this propaganda sound legit, from here until Jesus comes, it will be in the FICTION section of every bookstore in the world. So before your BP starts climbing, remember that.
Know Your Role
As I’m sure the title of this post may have taken you by surprise, it’s true. You do not have to defend the Bible. Trust me, the Bible can completely stand on its own. I like it put this way by one of the greatest preachers ever…
"Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself." –Charles Spurgeon
We are not called to defend the Bible. However, where Christians, even pastors, get into trouble is they neglect a very important piece of Scripture that specifically instructs on such occasions we may encounter. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to make a reasoned response or the Greek word “apologia” to give an account for the hope that lies within us.
In other words, as Christians we should be ready to explain at any given moment 1) what we believe and 2) why we believe it. It can be put no more plainly than this passage of Scripture:
16For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- 18and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. -- 2 Peter 1:16-21
Folks it doesn’t get any plainer than that. You can read a great post about that here. So that’s why they told me to read my Bible all those years! :-)
JS
Posts
I like the Charles Spurgeon quote that you used and I understand what it says, and I understand how it relates to the topic, but I don't understand why?
If someone asks you what you believe, you have an answer for them. If they ask you why you believe in the bible, is the answer simply I believe in God the Father, Christ his son and the book of law he left for us, through his inspired writers?
RcLou86
December 26, 2009 11:03 PM
Great question. When we use that quote from Spurgeon, it's a reference to the authenticity of the Bible. I could sit here all afternoon giving statistics and factoids, but the Bible can stand on it's own. My point in this post was that we don't have to defend the Bible, however, our faith is a different matter. That is the "Why" that you're referring to.
To that I would say this, "I believe the Bible because... It is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and they claim to be divine rather than human in origin."
That was put in layman's terms by an incredible preacher, Voddie Baucham. However, it comes directly from 2 Peter 1:16-21.
Rather than me rehashing it all, you can find his entire post here: http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Entries/2007/10/31_Why_I_Choose_to_Believe_the_Bible.html
Also, here is a link to a great sermon of his on this very topic "Why I Choose To Believe The Bible"...here's the link to the page with the audio of the sermon and a transcript... http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=530914253
Remember this. Although apologetics have their place in helping us defend our faith, the only way to bring the lost to salvation is the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and cannot be reduced to 4 questions that so many try to walk a lost person through like a puppet and popishly pronounce them saved and allow them to walk away justified in their sin thinking they are saved.
JS
Jaycen
December 28, 2009 12:49 PM