A Question To Ponder

I want to start with a caveat. This post is not directed towards anyone in particular, but rather towards leaders and scholars (self-proclaimed Christians) who have questioned the validity of Scripture and confirmed in their own hearts that the presentation of Scripture (especially the Old Testament) is, indeed, invalid. They do not necessarily question salvation, but rather the historicity of the Bible (which, in my opinion, questions salvation).

Some of these people question whether or not the Israel of the OT existed. Some question that God would have Israel (for those who do believe in ancient Israel) slaughter men, women, and children in His name. Some question the creation account with the intention of promoting evolution (apparently forgetting or ignoring Jesus’ own assertion of creation in Matt. 19:4-6). Some question the accuracy of every historical account, advocating that these accounts are exaggerated. Some question the validity of these historical accounts because they seem close to other Ancient Near Eastern texts. Rather than believe that all people were knowledgeable about certain worldwide events (like the flood, for instance, since everyone born after the flood came from Noah’s family), they choose to believe that Israel actually borrowed this information. They were just like any other nation, and their God (or rather, god) was like any other god. Some question the validity of miracles because they are not scientifically proven.

These somebodies aren’t just somebodies (note that I write “some” not “all” leaders and scholars). They are professors with multiple degrees. They are preachers over congregations of all sizes. They are authors of popular books. It is to these somebodies that I propose this simple question:

“If you question the validity of the Scriptures, and it is these same Scriptures that you rely upon for your knowledge and hope of salvation, are you not, indeed, questioning the validity of your own salvation?”

To all other believers, I want to remind us all of Paul’s words to the Ephesians:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors (or ministers) and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 NASB; italics added for an alternate translation)

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal