How Do I Accept the Bible When It Says…?

I have had a couple of people ask me this sort of question lately.  This becomes an issue when they come across something in the Bible that strikes them as contradictory with what the Bible teaches elsewhere or as contradictory with their own experiences and “knowledge”.

First, let me say that while I am strongly committed to knowing what you believe and why you believe it, I do think it is right and good and proper and wise for us to accept the totality of the Bible’s infallibility without understanding, studying, or even reading it all.  Of course we should seek to understand it all by reading and studying, but I do not think that we have to have it all figured out before we accept it all as true.  I believe we can and should give the Bible the benefit of the doubt.

For example, if someone told me that my mom was cheating on my dad, I would reject it out right.  I would not be quick to believe them.  In fact, I would defend her honor vigorously.  Why?  Because she has earned it.  She has proven herself faithful to my dad and her family and her Lord for decades and decades.  So it would be disloyal, mean, and illogical for me to accept such an allegation about her considering all that I know of her already.

However, afterward, because of the seriousness of such an accusation, I would investigate and probe and make doubly sure that I was correct in my defense of my mother (all without doubting).

This is the second point: I do not think that our unshakeable and confident acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God means that we never should investigate it, especially when we encounter a difficult passage for us.

Diving deep into the faithful work of credible scholars does not negate my belief in the inerrancy, infallibility, authority, or trustworthiness of Scripture.  In fact, I am able to dive deep precisely because of my belief in it.  I am not scared that I will find something that will destroy my faith.  I am confident that God has produced and preserved His Word so well that nothing will ever be able to irredicate His Eternal Word!