From A Biblical Perspective
Commentary On This Week's News

End Time Scoffers Seek to Discredit the Bible
A commentary by Larry J. Walker
United Church of God pastor, Bend, Oregon

Paul wrote to Timothy, "For the time is coming when people will not put up
with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves
teachers to suit their own desires" (2 Timothy 4:3, NRSV). Judging from the
recent trend to redefine and/or discredit important Bible truths, it would
seem that this assessment is especially valid today in the Western world.

One recent example is a National Geographic channel "Science of the Bible"
program seeking to explain how the Red Sea opened as recorded in Exodus 14.

The first "expert" claimed that it resulted from a strong wind blowing over an
alleged land bridge, which he illustrated with a scale model land bridge and a
leaf blower. Another claimed that the Israelites escaped through the trough
of a tsunami. Yet another suggested that they walked on an "unstable lava
bridge" caused by a volcano.

In all three cases the timing was conveniently precise—just in time for the
Israelites to walk to safety before the waters closed in on their Egyptian
pursuers. How convenient! Of course the longstanding Sea of Reeds
explanation was also offered, alleging that the water was shallow enough
to wade across.

A final "authority" smugly implied that, due to lack of archeological evidence,
the Exodus itself never happened. Another preposterous hypothesis alleged
that moldy grain had caused the death of the Egyptians' firstborn sons.

The approach of the "Science of the Bible" programs is to explain the "miracles"
of the Bible as naturalistic scientific events rather than miraculous phenomena
of divine intervention. The absurdity of those explanations is tragically humorous.

Perhaps the most ludicrous example of this trend was a recent newspaper article
suggesting that Jesus "walked on water" on chunks of ice. So apparently the miracle
was that the disciples' boat was not impaired by the ice.

The recent excitement over the Gospel of Judas appears to pose yet another
challenge to Bible teachings. Some are apparently ready to scrap the Bible's
account of Judas in favor of this Gnostic version. Yet this is one document
against some five thousand New Testament manuscripts.

Of course there is also the ongoing controversy of Intelligent Design vs. evolution
and the widespread popularity of the highly fictional Da Vinci Code.

What is behind this trend? The Bible says that man is unable of himself to properly
process spiritual truth. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that
come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot
understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV).

Also, human nature poses a fundamental roadblock to understanding the truths of
God (Romans 8:7). Peter warns that, "…scoffers will come in the last days, walking
according to their own lusts (2 Peter 3:3-6).

Paul writes, "… in the last days … people will love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God…. They will consider nothing sacred.
They will … have no interest in what is good. They will … be puffed up with pride,
and love pleasure rather than God" (2 Timothy 3:1-3, NLT).

The failure of religion in the latter days has allowed unbiblical and anti-biblical claims
to gain acceptance. "They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power
that could make them godly" (2 Timothy 3:5, NLT).

Sadly, even some theologians discount the power of God. I listened with incredulity
to a well-known theologian and author state categorically in a PBS interview that the
disciples had "some kind of spiritual experience," but Jesus was not literally
resurrected.

This conclusion removes the foundation of the gospel and discounts power of God!
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT) tells us that, "…if Christ has not been raised, then your
faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins." Psalm 10:4
observes, "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in
none of his thoughts."

The thought of an all-powerful, miracle-working God may be absent from the
minds of many. And scoffing at the Bible as His inspired word may be the popular
trend. But solid evidence is available that soundly refutes both beliefs.

Article Link & Additional Information:
http://www.ucg.org/commentary/discreditbible.htm

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The United Church Of God
http://www.ucg.org/