In the history of the western world for nearly two millennia, while often
neglected, frequently suppressed, and tragically contradicted by the lives
of many who claimed to believe it, the Bible was commonly held to be God’s
Word to man and one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. And
some form or expression of the Scriptural propositions have perennially been
a vital part of the cultural consensus.
Since the end of World War II Biblical truth has been openly
questioned, widely rejected, and by default, progressively replaced in most
major institutions of America and Europe.
As Allen Bloom notes:
“Practically speaking, the Bible was the only common
culture, one that united simple and sophisticated,
rich and poor, young and old, and – as the very model for a vision of
the order of the whole of things. With its gradual and inevitable
disappearance, the very idea of such a total book
and the possibility and necessity of world-explanation is
disappearing.”

One of the strange anomalies of the past fifty years is the number
of Biblically illiterate people, including a great number of church-members,
and the number of Bibles sold annually. The Bible, far and away has been,
and remains, the most widely disseminated book ever written. It is the
perennially unchallenged best seller of the year, every year. It is
conservatively estimated that in 2005, in the United States alone, Americans
purchased at least 2.5 million Bibles (twice as many as that year’s Harry
Potter book). Since its beginning in 1816, the American Bible Society alone
has published over a billion Bibles. It has been calculated that forty-seven
copies are being sold or distributed throughout the world every minute.
For those who have experienced the miraculous life-giving power of
its truth, one of the evidences that the Bible is, indeed, the Word of God,
is the attitude of modern Western culture towards it. Given the amazing
historical influence of the Book there is an unnatural neglect, and in some
cases, an irrational hatred, which cannot be explained in merely human
terms.
It should be noted that this negative (and often hostile) attitude
toward the Bible is a relatively new phenomenon; increasing to its current
level during the last half of the 20th century.
For many moderns the Bible has come to be regarded as outmoded;
completely outdated and mostly myth or legend; no more authoritative than
any other ancient writing. It must be remembered that those who spin
naturalistic skeptical theories which undermine the trustworthiness and
authority of Scripture do so without a shred of empirical evidence to support their
revisionist views. Those who question or reject the New Testament writer’s
claims that they were eyewitnesses or interviewed eyewitnesses do so on the
basis of their personal unfaith, not on hard evidence; for there is none.
Moreover, what faith they have is in their own reasoning’s, or more often in
favor of the reasoning’s of others, and against the holy men of God “moved
by the Holy Spirit”. 2 Peter 1:21
In an age of growing belief that truth is subjective, unknowable or
non-existent, there is encouragement for us in the Savior’s word that not
only is there truth, but eternal truth; and that it may be known. Christians
need never fear truth; philosophic, scientific or any other. All truth is
God’s truth, and if it hurts, it hurts to heal. For Jesus’ true followers
all His words are powerful and life-giving. And those who appreciate the
potential power of ideas find great comfort; and an even greater challenge
in His statement:
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free”. John 8:32

Man’s ability to live in prolonged states of self-deception, denial,
and prejudicial selective belief in the unverifiable is legendary;
Christians included. There has never been a greater need for Christ’s
followers humbly to claim the promised guidance and protection of His
indwelling Spirit of Truth.

“Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate
every false way”.

Psalm 119:104
“When the Spirit of Truth is come, He shall guide you into
all truth….” John 16:13

Blessed Spirit of Truth, grant me a hunger and thirst for Your
glorious precepts. May Your Holy Word reveal the Presence and power of Your
pure life to me, in me, and through me, to this dying world all around me.
With a heart of thanks for Your precious promises to hear and answer this
prayer, I give You praise, Amen.

From Pastor John’s forthcoming book: Third Millenium Anti-Virus