May
4
2013
A friend recently posed the philosphical question "What if the bible doesn't have all the answers?". It's an interesting question that begs for consideration. So, what if the bible doesn't have all the answers? Obviously this would mean the answers are potentially somewhere else. Everywhere a person looks for the answers the same question would apply. In the absense of an absolute authority the person looking for answers would be free to pick and choose the answers that are the most appealing. This line of thinking is prevelant everywhere because it eliminates messy things like guilt, humility and accountability. It sounds like a great way to live. Unfortunately it paves the way for things like conflict, discord, and destruction. The evidence is everywhere. Rather than taking the easy way out I suggest considering the opposite question. What if the bible does have all the answers? Beware! This isn't a path for the faint of heart. It will most definitely involve guilt, humility, and accountabilty. Why? Because exploring this question means considering that the bible may be the absolute authority. The only way to truly investigate this question requires following a few simple ground rules. First, interpret what you read literally through the lense of common sense. This is esssential in order to determine what the text actually means rather than what you want it to mean. Second, evaluate everything in context. Meaning is easily skewed, perverted, or lost altogether without context. If you don't believe me just watch the political ads during election season. Finally, validate the text against itself. If the bible is really the absolute authority, as the question suggests, then it certainly won't contradict itself. Let the adventure begin!