"If the Bible has grown strangely silent in the church, we might follow the pathway suggested by commentators such as Hans Frei and lay the blame for this tragedy at the feet of theologians and biblical scholars themselves. Of course, Christian thinkers did not set out to silence scripture. Rather, the Bible's loss of voice came as an unintended result of well-intentioned persons who sought to recover the Bible and save theology in the way of the Enlightenment. The irony of this situation is that in a sense Scripture caught laryngitis from its would-be physicians…. Why should the sincere believer continue to read the Bible when biblical truth—correct doctrine—is more readily at hand in the latest systematic compilation offered by the skilled theologian?"

—Beyond Foundationalism, Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context, Stanley Grenz and John Frank, pgs. 59 & 63. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

According to George Barna, two thirds of Christian adults responding to a Barna Research Group survey believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves. (A quote from Benjamin Franklin.)

—REV Magazine, Nov/Dec. 2000, p. 117 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

2 Tim. 2:15 NASB “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

Authorities in Augusta, Georgia were called to an Interstate 20 Welcome Center to investigate a suspicious package. A visitor saw the package on a table and told employees, who in turn contacted authorities. They believed the suspicious package might contain a bomb.

Richmond County sheriff’s sergeant John Gray says the center was closed for nearly an hour, while authorities investigated. They treated the unknown package as if it contained explosives, spraying the brown-wrapped package with a water cannon used to immobilize bombs.

Further investigation revealed the package had been left for someone curious to find. Inside was a Bible, and a note urging the person opening the package to take a chance on God.

—http://www.accessnorthga.com, Bomb squad defuses a Bible, Thursday, November 28, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

God’s word is powerful, but it isn’t dangerous—not unless it isn’t read and isn’t practiced.

John 20:30-31. NASB “Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His Name.”

According to the Gallup organization, only 28 percent of Americans believe that the Bible is the "actual word of God." The numbers of those who believe in a literal Bible have decreased 10% over the past 30 years.

—http://poll.gallup.com/content/default.aspx?ci=22885&pg=1 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

According to a recent Barna survey, only "one out of every six adults (16%) claim they make their moral choices based on the content of the Bible."

—http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=194 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

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

Senior students at Ashville Christian Academy in Asheville, N.C., are required to write a “worldview” paper. The assignment is to pick a serious issue confronted in our modern secular culture, analyze the problems involved, and suggest an answer that is shaped by God’s revelation in The Bible.

Wow! This is great training to live in our secular dominated world. Many more of us need the tools to analyze our culture through the lens of scripture. These parents have taken seriously the call of God to “teach these things to your children.”

--World Magazine, January 31, 2009, p. 4. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

2 Timothy 3:15 (NASB77) “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

In his book, Satisfy your Soul, Bruce Demarest writes, “Strangely enough, while conservative Christians have distrusted human intellect, we have relied heavily on the teaching of Bible doctrine to produce mature Christians. It hasn’t worked, and now we’re getting the picture: The soul begins to die when we view the faith chiefly as a set of intellectual propositions.”

--Satisfy your Soul, 52. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

A Bible recently caused a New Jersey community college to close early and cancel classes for the remainder of the day. Security guards noticed a package with Armenian writing on it inside a building during the morning hours and thought it looked suspicious. They were able to move it to an open area on campus and contact authorities. Before local police had determined the nature of the package, college officials believed the threat was a cause for concern and closed the campus.

When the police bomb squad arrived to examine the package, they determined that it was not a threat. The package turned out to be a Bible sent by a South Jersey man to an employee of the nursing department as a gift. Police said there was no reason for concern and no charges were filed. Though the school closed for one day, classes resumed the next morning.

--Suspicious package at Glouco college was Bible, http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20101111_Suspicious_package_at_Glouco_college_was_Bible.html ; November 11, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Though this Bible upset life for one day, this story serves a reminder that God’s word is powerful, and capable of impacting the world.

Hebrews 4:12 (GW) “God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.”

A fire in a small Oregon community destroyed everything inside and outside of a mobile home. When the family returned to sift through the ashes, they found the only thing that was salvageable was a small Bible. The family said they were in the process of moving and were not home at the time the fire started. They said the home was very old, and an electrical short might have started the fire. Though they refused a television interview, the family told reporters, “The Bible is proof that God’s word can’t be destroyed.”

--Fire Destroys Everything But a Bible; http://kezi.com/news/local/194323; November7, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Peter 1:24-25 (CEV) “The Scriptures say, ‘Humans wither like grass, and their glory fades like wild flowers. Grass dries up, and flowers fall to the ground. (25) But what the Lord has said will stand forever.’ Our good news to you is what the Lord has said.”

In Decision Points, President George W. Bush writes about a conversation with Billy Graham, I was captivated by Billy. He had a powerful presence, full of kindness and grace, and a keen mind. The next day, he asked me to go for a walk around the property. He asked about my life in Texas. I talked to him about the girls and shared my thought that reading the Bible could make me a better person. In his gentle, loving way, Billy began to deepen my shallow understanding of faith. There’s nothing wrong with using the Bible as a guide to self-improvement, he said. Jesus’ life provides a powerful example for our own. But self-improvement is not really the point of the Bible. The center of Christianity is not the self. It is Christ.”

Colossians 3:16 (CEV) “Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”

400 years after its first publication, the King James Bible influences more parts of America than we first think. Here are some of the ways it affects our daily language.
“At their wit’s end,” Psalm 107:27
An escape “by the skin of my teeth,” Job 19:20
“Salt of the earth,” Matthew 5:13
“Riotous living,” from the prodigal son, Luke 15:13, and
“Thorn in the flesh,” 2 Cor. 12:7

John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

There are several witty sayings that sound like they came from the Bible, but are not in the pages of scripture. Some of the quips sound so good, well-intentioned people will quote them with the same authority as a passage from the Bible. Recently, White House Spokesman Jay Carney made just such a mistake trying to invoke scripture to back up President Barak Obama’s plan to pass legislation to stimulate job creation.

In a briefing, Carney said the President hoped to make the point that the country has the capacity to do things to help unemployed Americans find jobs. Earlier in the day, the President started the debate referring to the national motto, ‘In God We Trust’ and adding “I trust in God, but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work.”Later, Carney said, “I believe the phrase from the Bible is, ‘The Lord helps those who help themselves.’” When the White House realized the mistake, they added a disclaimer to the briefing transcript, which read, “This common phrase does not appear in the Bible.”

--Biblical blunder at White House briefing, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixMijglz5g26VQb_FEECPqb9KcSA?docId=3df8bc163975433db825ece0a54909d1; November 3, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalm 119:47-49 (CEV) “I love your commands! They bring me happiness. (48) I love and respect them and will keep them in mind. (49) Don't forget your promise to me, your servant. I depend on it.”

We, who profess to believe the Bible, should be sure we know what the Bible says. President Obama said, “I trust in God but God wants to see us help ourselves, by putting people back to work.” When asked about that statement later, press secretary Jay Carney replied, “I believe the phrase from the Bible is, ‘The Lord helps those who help themselves.’” Only later did the White House issue a correction: “This common phrase does not appear in the Bible.”

--World, December 3, 2011 p. 66 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

We can excuse this mistake, coming as it does from a couple of politicians. We don’t expect them to have an understanding of God’s word. Rabbi Rami Shapiro, in a CNN investigation said, “Most people who profess a deep love of the Bible have never actually read the book.” It is not excusable for those of us who do love the Word of God to have a similar ignorance of what it actually says.

2 Timothy 4:2 (HCSB) Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

Thomas Jefferson, our nation’s third president was the author of the declaration of Independence, but had no problem editing someone else’s work. The Smithsonian Institute has just completed a careful restoration of an edited version of the Bible, Jefferson created, known as The Jefferson Bible. As he read the Bible, Jefferson found he could not accept everything in the scripture. In 1820, following his two terms as president, Jefferson took a razor blade to six volumes and patched together his favorite biblical passages and then had his work bound.

Jefferson called his book “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” It contains 84 pages, and leaves out key portions Jefferson believed were “contrary to reason.” He drew form all four gospels in Greek, Latin, French and English to tell the story of Jesus’ life, but left out portions about the holy ghost and the Trinity. Jefferson’s original volume had passages laid out in four columns and handwritten notes in the margins. The pages were originally bound into a red Moroccan leather cover. The book was never published, because Jefferson intended it to use for his own private reading. The unusual book was purchased from Jefferson’s family in 1895. The museum will place it in long term storage in a dark oxygen rich environment to be sure it is protected for future generations.

--How Thomas Jefferson created his own Bible... after taking a razor blade to parts of the gospels he did not agree with; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2088026/Thomas-Jefferson-created-Bible-taking-razor-parts-did-agree-with.htm l; January 17, 2012, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Believers must share the entire truth of God’s word, not just what appeals to us.

2 Corinthians 2:16-17 (GW) To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ? (17) At least we don't go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ's spokesmen and in God's presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.

In Flickering Pixels, Shane Hipps writes, “We must remember that the Bible is not merely—or even primarily—a collection of objective propositions. It is a grand story told through hundreds of different perspectives and diverse social settings. The message is multilayered, textured, expansive, and complex.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (HCSB) (14) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, (15) and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Speaking to a group of church leaders, author, filmmaker, and pastor Erwin McManus reminded them that the Bible remains relevant when reaching out to younger generations. The statistics concerning Bible engagement among the Millennial generation, born between 1981 and 2000, are not encouraging. Bible Society research has shown that one in three people in this age group are antagonistic toward the bible, church, and God. 70 percent of them rarely or never read the Bible. McManus said the research may be misleading. He thinks younger people are not attracted to the Bible because they are seeking authenticity and truth. He said these people are not running away from God, but running away from the idea of people pretending to love God, but actually living hollow, meaningless lives. They don’t realize what they are looking for is in the Scriptures. McManus said, “We’re not changing people’s minds about what they’re running from, we’re changing their minds about what they’re running to.” He added, ”We think that this generation has walked away from the scriptures because we’ve called them to too much, but I’m saying they’ve walked away from the scriptures because we’ve called them to too little.”
—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Erwin McManus on Reaching Younger Generations: 'The Bible Is Not an Antiquated Text', by Jeff Schapiro, http://www.christianpost.com/news/erwin-mcmanus-on-reaching-younger-generations-the-bible-is-not-an-antiquated-text-105332, Accessed September 26, 2013.

Matthew 22:29 (NASB) But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

In the continual battle over public display of the Ten Commandments, a U. S. district court judge has proposed a compromise solution. The Giles County Virginia school board can post the commandments if they will reduce them to six. Remove the four that directly refer to God and the commandments will be acceptable.

There is no word whether the school or its supporters have any interest in redacting the commandments. The first four commandments are the foundation for the other six. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

World, June 16, 2014, p. 94

Revelation 22:19 (NKJV) “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Faith Comes By Hearing, based in New Mexico says they have now released a new app for Roku systems that will make Scripture available to at least 10 million additional people in the United States in 750 different languages. Roku is a set-top device created in 2008 will allows users to integrate their television with programming from the Internet. Lou Ann Hunt, a spokesperson for the ministry says the app will allow users to access a 24/7 feed of the Bible in one of 750 languages now available. This is especially useful because since over 41 million immigrant now live in the country, most will be able to find God’s Word in their native tongue using the Roku app. Hunt said, ”We’ve had over 70 million listeners accessing Internet radio, and so Roku is just one more platform to get God’s Word to people.” She added, “People can understand God’s Word in their heart language: the language that they pray in, the language that they dream in.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Roku Bible app opens door for millions, By Katey Hearth, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/roku-bible-app-opens-door-millions, Accessed November 12, 2014.

Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

In January of 2015, believers and non-believers were shocked to hear an admission from Alex Malarkey that he lied about going to heaven and coming back to tell about it while in a coma after an auto accident. The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life Beyond This World was a successful book that Malarkey co-wrote with his father. What was interesting was how Malarkey himself felt sorrow about how so many people read his story as a true account, now that over 120,000 copies are sold. His admission led to the retraction of the book from bookstores across America. –Jim L. Wilson & Peter Lee

There is one book whose veracity you can count on—the Bible, God’s inerrant word.

- http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/16/arts/ap-us-heaven-book-pulled.html?_r=0

Psalm 119:104-105 (CEV) They give me understanding and make me hate all lies. (105) Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.

In Michigan, a public school banned an 8-year-old boy from bringing his Bible to class. Jason Cross is autistic and his mom says he likes to read the Bible during free time. Officials at Highview Elementary told him, “The book is only for church, not for school.”
This seems to be a prevalent view in our culture. Keep your religion at home and church. I am not sure what part of teaching, correcting, training in righteousness is unwelcome at school.

After a reporter called to question the report the superintendent of schools reversed the policy. Jason can read his Bible in his free time. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”

Charles C Ryrie, longtime professor of systematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary died at the age of 90. Ryrie’s books included Basic Theology and a Study Bible that sold 2.5 million copies in several languages. Ryrie once wrote, “The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it the highest of all goals.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Isaiah 40:8 (HCSB “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”

Rosaria Butterfield was once a lesbian leftist college professor. She is the author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. In explaining her life transition, Rosaria Butterfield talks about the authority of the Bible. After accepting Christ and leaving her lesbian lifestyle, she wrestled with lifestyle issues. She says “I went from being someone who felt that I was responsible and entitled to interrogate the Bible to someone who believed that the Bible had authority over my life and therefore had the responsibility and entitlement to interrogate me.”

This is an understanding every believer must come to. It is not our place to judge the Bible. We must let it judge us. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

2 Timothy 3:16 (HCSB) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,”

It is against the law to insult the King of the Netherlands. A 44-year-old Dutchman, unidentified by police, posted a Facebook rant describing the King as a murderer, rapist, and thief. A court found the man guilty of cursing the Dutch king and sentenced him to 30 days in Jail.

The second commandment warns us not to take the name of the Lord in vain. If we were jailed for 30 days each time we did, our jails would be filled and some of us would spend a lot of time behind bars. The name of the Lord is much more precious than the name Willem-Alexander. (The name of the King of the Netherlands.) —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Exodus 20:7 (HCSB)“Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses His name.”

With tensions high between the United States and North Korea, Christians in South Korea went on the offensive, using prayer and Scripture to reach believers in the North. For the last thirty years, a Christian human rights group has sent hundreds of bright orange balloons into North Korean airspace every week. The balloons have the entire book of Mark inscribed on them. A man, identified as Peter, started the weekly outreach 26 years ago. He said the balloons are a very effective way to share the Gospel. He calls the idea, Project Dandelion. Peter said, “We started this project back in 1991, and just as a dandelion needs the wind to spread its seeds, we need the wind to spread the message.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Isaiah 55:11 (CSB) “so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

A recent Gallup poll shows a growing acceptance among Americans of divorce (73%), extramarital (69%), and same-sex (63%) sexual activity.

These trends are not in line with biblical teachings. The Bible, not society’s consensus of acceptable behavior is the guide.

Donelan Andrews bought travel insurance for a trip to London from a Square Space. Reading the seventh page of her contract, she saw a heading, “It pays to read.” In the article were directions to email a particular address. When she sent an email to the address, she got a call the next day saying she was the first person in 73 polices sold that day to send the email. As a reward they sent her a check for $10,000.

It certainly paid Ms. Andrews to read the fine print of her contract. A conscientious person can receive an even greater reward for carefully reading the word of God-- perhaps even, eternal life. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.

In the State of the Bible 2019 report, commissioned by the American Bible Study, more Americans never use the Bible (31%) than use it every day (16%). “When presented with eight possible motivations for using the Bible, a plurality of Bible users say they are motivated to read it because it brings them closer to God (47%).”—Jim L. Wilson

A municipal road crew in Brazil are convinced they have discovered a manifestation of Jesus Christ inside a willow tree. When the crew sawed through the trunk of the tree a stain in the wood was shaped like a man in a loose-flowing gown. They, and many who have viewed the image say that it looks like an image of the Lord Jesus. Not everyone agreed that it was a representation of the savior. One commenter said, “People, that’s Voldemort! Get back to work.”

Whenever such an image that could be described as Jesus Christ appears, it draws a lot of interest and commentary. There are some who say it is nothing at all, but there are many who believe it is a direct message from God. One person believes it is a message from God telling us to turn from our sin and return to Him. Another believes it is God telling us He is caring for us through this difficult time. As for me, I don’t know if it is an image deserving of honor, but all the messages can be found in God’s word. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.