“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17
I’m a voracious reader. Give me a good business book and I’ll have it read in just a few hours while traveling. However, when I’m asked, “What’s your favorite book of all time?” I won’t hesitate to tell you, “The Bible.” This answer is often met with an eye-roll, a skeptical smirk, or even an outright and audible, “REALLY?!” I get it. It’s the stock answer politicians give when searching out the Christian vote.
But, my answer is valid and honest. I’m not trying to impress anyone. In fact, I realize that when I give this answer, some may look at me as being old fashioned at best and ignorant at worst. I mean, is the Bible even relevant in today’s world with its archaic laws and dated practices?
As proof of this argument, people often point to Leviticus and it’s long lists of dos and don’ts and think that reference alone eliminates the voracity of the entire book. My answer is, yes, while the Bible is historical in nature and tells of an ancient time, people, and world, and while it recounts customs that are no longer practiced or advised, it still remains my user manual in today’s world and I’ll tell you why.
The Bible is just as applicable and significant today as when it was written. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we’re told that the book is “God-Breathed,” an actual, living testament of God’s plan for the human race, which never changes, no matter how much time passes.
I once heard it put this way, “At the heart and core of Christ’s teaching, as recorded in the Bible, is the need for change—deep, personal, relevant, transformation into a better person and society—and the path to it.” My question is, “How can that message ever be irrelevant?”
When people say, “The Bible no longer fits our culture,” I say, “No, our culture no longer fits in the Bible. It has systematically rejected the principles and advice of the Bible,” which is evident every single time you turn on the news or read articles in the newspaper or on the internet.
So, while my answer may not be extremely popular, I stand by my argument. Our world needs the Bible now, more than ever. The foundation on which Christianity stands is the truth taught by Christ and his apostles, which is faithfully recorded in the New Testament. Humans cannot change the essence of something God created and expect relevancy. We need to go back to the basics and the truth, which are both laid quite bare in the Bible.
The Bible IS relevant. It is true, meaningful, life-transforming, and it gives credible answers even, and especially, in today’s world.
