How the Question “Is It True?” Has Evolved into “Does it work?”
Authoritarian views about inerrancy miss the point of the Bible: it’s how God reveals Himself in words
“… Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught…” (Titus 1:9 ESV)
The Bible intrigues us — but is it real? Some would narrow the question down: “Is it inerrant?”.
With its unique mixture of historical narrative, prophetic passion, topical teaching and divine love contrasted with human cruelty, God’s Word encourages us and also confronts us. It shows our wrongdoing, and how it is punishable — and it sets out an acquittal, a way to freedom which we can receive but never earn.
Older generations were content to be taught what to think but that attitude has changed. Being told what to believe, as in a typical church sermon monologue, doesn’t sit well with people who have been taught to discover and think for themselves.
Like a medieval ‘camera obscura’, a dark chamber with a tiny aperture creating an image on the wall inside, the Bible projects its bright picture into our darkened souls — but like that medieval curiosity, the picture is upside down.
So how do we align our familiar viewpoint with this different picture? In medieval times, the priest was both the community person with education and the authority, telling simple people what was right and true. If the Mass included a Bible reading, this was the only route.
Then, when the Reformation and the printing press together made the Bible more generally available. Bible teaching grew to be an esteemed skill.
The revivals of the 1700s and then 1800s blossomed through biblical preaching, which sought to transform lives by relating Bible truths to life’s challenges. There was an explosion of ‘tabernacles’ built with galleries to accommodate the hundreds and thousands who came. Printed transcripts were telegraphed across oceans.
Preaching remained a feature of 20th century life, although undermined by a liberal strain of scholarship which saw Congregationalism almost wiped out and the Church of England turn more sacramental and ritualistic. Bible-centred faith, having taken some hits, discovered new avenues in popular neighbourhood Bible studies and Alpha groups led by rank-and-file church members.
Today, people apply the test of what is real and works for them. For a generation wary of a presumed ‘pulpit authority’, exploring and experiencing Bible truth through new media and situations, has become their way to tease out what is true and how to live it.
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‘Recovering pastor’ Ian Greig writes to encourage those asking spiritual questions among the 97% (in the UK) who would not count themselves regular churchgoers, for a variety of reasons e.g. Sunday shifts, bad experiences or just a dislike of formality. On Medium, Substack and popular social media as ‘Faith Fragments” and also as a contributor to other Christian publications.
