State of Theology in America, Pt 3

Explaining our Missing Compass

Over the last two weeks, I’ve written an analysis and commentary about the results of the 2022 survey from www.StateOfTheology.com. The 33 statements were presented based on six key doctrinal areas, with several focus points within each category. I’ve sorted them a little differently and plan to write six substacks on the results of these survey questions.

To understand today’s Sunday Substack (Part 3), I encourage you to go back and read the history of the survey and review the list of 33 statements presented to survey participants who were then asked to assess their level of agreement using a four-point, forced choice scale (strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree). If you missed Part 1 and Part 2, here are the links to strongly go back and review them.

• In Part 1 we looked at societal questions 25, 26, 27, 28 and 8 – regarding sex outside of marriage, abortion, gender identity, and homosexuality.

• In Part 2, we examined what people thought about the sovereignty of God as stated in questions 1 through 4.

Here in Part 3, we’re going to look at what the survey revealed about the Holiness of the Bible

Statement 16. The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.

Statement 17. The Bible is 100% accurate in all that it teaches.

Both of these questions jumped out at me as so simple to answer that any Christian, or any person who calls themselves a Christian, should throw up their hands and say, “What? Of course, the Bible is literally true and accurate. And of course, it is NOT full of myths!”

But alas, 53% of those surveyed - 55% of Roman Catholics and 26% of evangelicals = agreed or strongly agreed with this statement, the Bible is not literally true.

Even more disturbing, 44% of those surveyed, 38% of Roman Catholics and 17% of evangelicals do not believe the Bible is 100% accurate.

All Scripture is from God and His Word is truth, therefore, the Bible cannot be anything by fully accurate in all that it teaches. According to the website, www.HopeHasArrived.com

The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years, by 40 writers. Unlike other religious writings, the Bible reads as a factual news account of real events, places, people, and dialogue. Historians and archaeologists have repeatedly confirmed its authenticity. Using the writers own writing styles and personalities, God shows us who He is and what it’s like to know Him.

One central messages consistently carried forward by all 40 writers of the Bible is that God, who created us, desires a relationship with us. He calls us to know Him and trust Him.

The Bible not only inspires us, it explains life to us. It gives us instruction on important morals. For example, we are to stay focused on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. (Phillipians 4:8)

God’s Word shows us how to live with purpose and compassion and how to relate to others. It encourages us to rely on God for strength and direction, and how to enjoy His love for us. The Bible also tells us how we can have eternal life.

Multiple categories of evidence support the historical accuracy of the Bible as well as its claim to divine authorship. Here are a few scriptures (reasons) why you can trust the Bible:

What the Bible says:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:160 – “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.”

Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Statement 18. Modern science disproves the Bible.

In the survey, 40% of respondents agree: the more we learn about science, the more the Bible is proven to be false. Even 21% of evangelicals and 31% of Roman Catholics believe that science disproves the Bible.

But want to people have to say who have studied “the Bible vs. science” topic in depth? Several book reviews on this topic are fascinating.     

Book #1: Believing is Seeing

Michael Guillen, PhD is a best-selling author, Emmy award–winning journalist, and a former physics instructor at Harvard. He used to be an Atheist―until science changed his mind. He once held the opinion that people of faith were weak, small-minded folks who just didn’t understand science. But after exploring the conflict, Dr. Guillen came to conclude that not only does science itself depend on faith, but faith is actually the mightiest power in the universe.

His book, Believing Is Seeing, recounts the fascinating story of his journey from Atheism to Christianity, citing the latest discoveries in neuroscience, physics, astronomy, and mathematics. He pulls it all together to describe and explain the connection between science and faith as no one ever has.

Book #2: Modern Science and the Bible: Amazing Scientific Truths Found in Ancient Texts

Biologist Ben Hobrink, writing in layman's terms, describes current scientific debates and shows where scientific theories or conclusions differ from the Bible. He then offers explanations on the alleged differences.  In Modern Science in the Bible, Hobrink not only defends the Bible; he lets others share his astonishment about the relevance of Biblical rules. The book underlines the reliability of the Bible in the field of science and presents hard scientific facts that are structured around themes such as combating epidemics, hygiene, nutrition, and evolution.

Book #3: How Science Points to God

Scientist Dr. Gerard Verschuuren shows in his book how time and time again it is not the Christians, but rather the scientists, who are unwilling to change their perspectives when truth is exposed and confirmed. He helps us to understand how science operates within the realm of nature…he points out that science can, and does, point us in the direction of the Creator.

With clear, well-documented explanations, Dr. Verschuuren carefully guides us through several fields of science, identifying the many hints and signs of God’s existence in genetics, neuroscience, behavioral science, semantics, logic, and math. Taken together, these hints within science provide an overwhelming case for the existence of God that is practically impossible to deny.

I know how much time, research, and effort it takes to write and publish a book. Taken together, and evaluating the work of several scientists, science doesn’t disprove the Bible. It supports it.

Statement 30. The Bible has the authority to tell us what we must do.

Statement 32. The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.

When it comes to Statement 30 – total and Catholic respondents were equally split at about 52% on whether the Bible can direct our lives and “tell us what to do.” By contrast, 80% of evangelicals agree the Bible has the authority to give us direct instructions on what we can and must do.

Statement 32 had somewhat different responses, with 62% of all respondents agreeing that the Bible is where they rest their believe in the Lord. Interestingly, 30% of Catholics and 13% of evangelicals do not use or trust the Bible as their personal, highest authority for directing their lives.

Which begs the question: if not the Bible, then what do these people believe in and trust for their spiritual guidance?

The Bible is the most important source of authority for Christians because it contains the teachings of God and Jesus.  Scripture stands above all other authorities. God is the highest authority possible, so what He says is the final arbiter of truth. And if the only place we have His words is in the Bible, then Scripture is the highest court of authority to which we can appeal. All other sources of ‘authority,’ such as religious leaders, religious groups, reference materials, and books have gotten their information and teachings from the Bible.   

A Different look at Authority

When we think of the word ‘authority,’ what usually comes to mind is the person in charge – the person who give commands and make decisions. For example, the manager has the authority to revise employees' work schedules based on the needs of the company.

According to Webster’s dictionary, authority is defined as

“The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.”

The Greek word for authority is exousia. The Greek word for power is dunamis. Authority is the right to use power, the ability to bring about a desired purpose. One is having the power; one is the right to use power. The Bible has the right (the authority) to use God’s power to direct our paths to success and we have been given authority, by Jesus, to defeat the enemy.

To say that the Bible is authoritative is to say that it holds the final word; not science, not human experience, and not human reasoning. Scripture always has the final word.

What the Bible says:

Matthew 10:1 - And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Luke 10:19 - Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all  the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Hebrews 6:13 - For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself. (God is the highest and only authority).

Today’s prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, call us closer to You by filling our hearts with a yearning to dig deeper into Your Word. The richness of the scriptures can direct every area of our lives with Your authority, Your power, and most of all, Your love.

We are so blessed to be called Your children. But children can only have a relationship with their physical parents by spending time with them. Likewise, we must spend time with You. Help us to understand the AUTHORITY You have given us to grants us permission to use YOUR POWER overcome all that afflicts us, all that stands against us, and all that knocks us down. We stand on Your Word as the ultimate source for everything we need. We are grateful. Thank You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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