CAN WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE LITERALLY?

 

     A friend once told me that I take the Bible far too literally. And YES, I do take the Bible literally, but I can do so only because I do not try to apply it all. The Bible was never meant to all be applied at the same time. It can’t be, or it is contradictory. For example, Gen 17:9-14 and Galatians 6:15; or Ex 31:13-15 and Colossians 2:16 .

     The trick is to know with accuracy what part of the Bible does apply to the age in which we are. Then what a relief! Then we can really take God at His word, and actually believe what He says, because our part fits our circumstances and makes sense. There is no need to interpret or spiritualize God’s word when we know that although it is all for our learning, only a part of it is to and about us today. Which part is that?

     Most of the Bible is by Jews, to Jews and about Israel. There is only one section in which there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. (Rom 10:12) That is Paul’s letters, Romans through Philemon. That is where we are.

Historically, we live after Jesus ascended and offered the kingdom of heaven on earth to Israel through Peter (Acts 2&3), and before He returns in power to set up that kingdom. (Mat 24; Rev 19). His wrath, called the great tribulation, which goes along with His return, has been delayed for some 2000 years while God makes a different offer to the world apart from Israel. (Rom 9:22-24; Eph 3:1-6)

     What is that offer? Eternal life with God is free to anyone who depends solely on Christ’s deaths to pay for their sin. (Rom 3:22-25; 6:23; II Cor 5:19-21; Eph 2:8,9 with 1:7) No good works, no religion, nothing else can erase our sin which stands between us and God. (Rom 3:10,23)

     There are a lot of other offers and promises in the Bible that God is not making to us today, so we had better “Study …rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Tim 2:15) The “full assurance of understanding” that results is a true treasure. (Col 2:2,3)