Recently I have faced much opposition on my belief that every word of the Bible is true. I have heard people say, “I believe the New Testament but the Old Testaments story are too far fetched. I think of them as allegory.” Okay, I had to look that word up. Allegory, a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Another person told me, “It is your place to doubt and question the Bible. You should never take it at face-value.”.
Hmm, I stand in my belief that it is all true. Let’s look at the allegoric approach of the Old Testament. So if the person that told me this believes half of the Bible to be true yet struggles with the Old Testament being “stories” instead of truth, I need to determine if this is a bad thing. So it is my understanding that allegories are not truths but stories to teach a message. Let’s say for example, Jonah being in the whale’s belly for three days. This person feels that it’s an example or story of how we can become trapped when we turn away from God. I feel that as well, but truly we are told this happened because Jonah refused to follow God’s plan. Jonah made a conscious decision not to do as God told him.
I haven’t been trapped in the belly of a whale because that really isn’t conducive to living in a metroplex with no oceans nearby. I also don’t like being in the ocean either. I do feel that we hear stories of people trapped in caves, without food, water, or means of communications to call for help and have survived. What about Alan Ralston that cut his own arm off to survive? https://www.voanews.com/arts-culture/127-hours-tells-true-story-mans-determination-survive-after-hiking-accident We hear their stories of coming out of the impossible just like Jonah did. Am I to say that a man couldn’t survive being in a whale’s belly and be regurgitated alive? No, because some things I am unable to wrap my mind around and understand. I believe this story because of my faith and understanding God’s infinite power.
There are many things I don’t understand or haven’t seen that I know to be true. I have never seen a billion dollars but know it exists. We don’t know how baby eels are made because they have never been seen them mating or giving birth yet eels exist. We don’t see air yet it keeps us alive. We can feel the wind on our faces or hear it in our ears yet not see it. Am I to say a man didn’t get swallowed by a whale and survive, I think not.
Now let’s look at the man who wants me to question and doubt the Bible to prove it is true. He states that since the Bible was not written by one man in a timely fashion it has to be distorted and not factual. God inspired prophets with His words and wisdom.
2 Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Also, there were no television, electronics, or “fake news” that we have today eliminating many distractions. Women did not read or write and it was important for the correct telling of the Old Testament through word of mouth and many times throughout the day. Prayers were recited and remembered. If you asked me what I remember from being 25 years old, I would probably say, “Nothing much.”. Nothing eventful happened that year for me. Now, ask me what happened when I was 29 and I will tell you a complete story. I became pregnant and enjoy nine beautiful months of pregnancy ending in the birth of my beautiful daughter. That year was impactful for me and remains vividly in my memory. I imagine those walking in the time of Jesus remember this time very impactfully too.
We do have evidence the Bible is truthful because we have many manuscripts that are proven to be copied accurately. The New Testament is incredibly accurate with minor differences that does not change Christians beliefs.
The Archaeological Study Bible shows archeological proof that the Bible show historical reality of what is written in it. This book has over 2,000 pages of archeological documentation supporting the Bible.
We also need to remember it can be shown that the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – present an accurate record of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus even tells us in John 10:35, “the Scripture cannot be broken”.
John 10:34-35: Jesus answered, “It is written in your law that God said, ‘I said you are gods.’ This Scripture called those people gods—the people who received God’s message. And Scripture is always true.“
You may disagree with me and I respect that but I will still stand in my faith and trust in God’s Word, the Bible. May God bless you this day. My love and gratitude-LoLo
gratefulgratitude.net 