Hello everyone and welcome back to Deeper Waters where we are diving into the ocean of truth! We’re spending our time looking at Christian Sound Bites now. Tonight, I’m going to take a look at the line given by many a Christian who says “I just believe what the Bible says!”
We’ve all seen this happen before. Suppose you and a fellow Christian are debating eschatology. You make an argument and your opponent responds by saying “I just believe what the Bible says”
That can sound good. That can sound holy. It gives the impression that nothing more can be said. The exact opposite is true.
To begin with, if you are a Christian, the Bible should matter to you. If you are told that your opinion goes against the Bible and you can be shown that, then that should be enough for you to change it. However, in a debate like this, it is not a question of “Should we believe what the Bible says?” That’s agreed on. The question is “What does it say?”
The position is also not holy. It’s prideful. When you use this, you are automatically telling your opponent without reason that they do not believe what the Bible says as opposed to you who does. Upon what grounds do you get to make a charge that you are the holy one and your brother or sister the one living in rebellion?
This is just a cop-out and it’s one of the worst kinds too. It’s a cop-out to holiness. Holiness is important, but it is not meant to be used as a weapon. In fact, if you truly have holiness, you would not want to use it that way. You would want to, if you believe you’re right, rationally convince your fellow Christian to see the error of their ways.
In reality also, something can be said to this. When you are told this, you can say “Yes. That is a fine and noble thing to do. Would you care to go to the text with me and demonstrate that that is what the text says?” After all, the person is begging the main question assuming that that is what the text says. You could even grant that if you are shown that that is what the text says that you will freely change your mind.
None of us like to be shown up. This is a reply intended to make it seem as if you haven’t been shown up and are acting “spiritual” instead. Why not admit you are wrong? To paraphrase one of my friends, maybe we should all be more open to what the Bible could say and rather than have to commit ritual suicide, be willing to admit the other side could have a point.
We wouldn’t accept it if an atheist gave a cop-out of a similar nature in a debate. Why would we want to pull one on a fellow Christian? It would be better to study and learn more about the opponent’s view, rather than to build up the sin of pride in your life.
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