A More Sure Word

Epistemic Theology Part 2

If the Bible is authoritative, and I am not a schizophrenic, then there can be no disparity between my experience and the scriptures. If there is a difference, the problem must lie in how much thought I have applied to my experience.

Please understand that I’m not saying that we believe the Bible because we understand it. Far from it. Might as well say we believe in God because we understand Him. Rather, if we believe the Bible, and we see a disparity between the bible and our experience, the problem must be in your understanding. If you can’t believe whether an experience you had was real, you’ve got bigger fish to fry than whether you believe the Bible. You’ve got to go back to ole Rene Descartes and decide whether anything exists at all.

If you’ll notice, what I’ve been digging at has been whether or not the scriptures are authoritative, not whether they are true. People often get confused and go off trying to prove that the bible is true, meaning whether it is factually correct. That question is kind of irrelevant.

I have a lot of books in my house that are, to the best of my knowledge, factually correct. I have Will and Ariel Durant’s The Story of Civilization, one of the most revered history series. I have several biographies – including an autobiography by my grandfather. I even have a translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which I believe to be factual in its representation of what the scrolls say. But I don’t expect any of these books to dictate to me how to live my life. Being factually correct is a very good thing, but it doesn’t necessarily give authority. That authority comes from somewhere else.

Being factual is a good thing. If the books of the bible were historically inaccurate, it would put grave doubts in my mind as to whether it had any authority. But, while being factual is necessary, it isn’t sufficient. The linch-pin is the question of whether or not the Bible is, in fact, the Word of God. So how do I know if a particular collection of words is the word of God?

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French