Week Thirty-One, 2018

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

The book written by Cullen Schippe and Chuck Stetson, The Bible and Its Influence, continues to make headway among educational circles. It still strikes me as contradictory that some schools require reading of other religious books as a part of a well-rounded education, but ban even possession or clubs that study the Bible, as it is considered a proselytizing, neanderthalic and unrealistic fictional literature. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Bible is not a book about religion. It is God’s word to His people about how to live their life. The Bible has influenced the shaping of Western civilization. Throughout recorded history wars have been waged and still are today.

The Bible is a book like no other. The sacred text can arguably be considered the most influential book ever published.

“The influence of the Bible is worldwide,” wrote Arthur Pink, the Christian evangelist. “Its mighty power has affected every department of human activity. The contents of the Scriptures have supplied themes for the greatest poets, artists and musicians which the world has yet produced, and have been the mightiest factor of all in shaping moral progress.

How can anyone understand Handel’s Messiah without understanding how it interfaces with the Bible?

The Bible is influential because it is the world’s bestselling book, breaking all records known to man. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, since 1815 the Bible has sold approximately 2.5 billion copies and has been translated into more than 2,200 languages.

The Bible is especially influential in American society. In the 2012 State of the Bible report released by the American Bible Society found that In America, 85% of households own a Bible. The majority of Americans believe the Bible provides answers on how to live a meaningful life. The Bible is important for appreciating culture, history and politics. It is important for the visual arts, literature and history. The influence of the Bible on society has been important throughout history.

The Bible is the model for and subject of more art and thought than those of us who live within its influence, consciously or unconsciously, will ever know.

Consensus Does Not Determine Morality:

Legalization of same-sex marriage is now supported by most religious groups according to a study released on May 1st by the Public Religion Research Institute. The survey was based on more than 40,000 responses collected during 2017. It found that 61% of Americans now support same-sex marriage. Only 31% oppose it. The support is the strongest among politically liberal groups such as Jews (77%) and Unitarians (97%). Those identified as unaffiliated approved at 80%.

Jana Reiss, reporting for the Religious News Service writes, “What is more surprising is how quickly support for same-sex marriage has grown among religious groups that are more politically diverse. Two-thirds of Catholics, Orthodox Christians and white mainline Protestants now say they are in favor.”

“Majorities of Americans in most states support same-sex marriage,” observed Reiss, “with the exceptions all located in the South. Even in the handful of states that do not have more than 50 percent support for same-sex marriage, they also don’t have 50 percent opposition; Alabama is now the only state where a majority of residents say they oppose same-sex marriage.”

I do wonder about the accuracy of the survey. But regardless, I know this. Morality is not determined by consensus. For those who truly respect the Bible, we know that the majority can be and often is wrong.

People forget that God has revealed His standard of morality and regulations regarding marriage in the Bible. While laws may be enacted by governments giving people the right to engage in immoral practices, no human legislature can nullify what God has authorized. The apostle Paul admonished Christians to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18). Furthermore, he warned “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God”(1 Cor 6:9-10).

Approval by religious organizations and their members does not change God’s Word or sanctify sinful behavior. If we are going to make progress in the pursuit of holiness, we must aim to live according to the precepts of Scripture–not according to the culture, even the Christian culture, around us.”

Be advised that “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 competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) When it comes to moral choices may our beliefs and convictions be rooted in Scripture, not culture or popular consensus.–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.

If you are not doing what you are passionate about, be passionate for what you are doing. John Rivers

Wars are not won by evacuation. Churchill

Man leads a wedding but God creates a marriage. Ken Whitten

The Lord never tells us to do anything without telling us how.

There will be a day when I write my laws on your heart. Jeremiah 31:30