There will always be someone who attempts to invalidate the Bible. When it happens, some Christians seem ready to defend God’s Word, and for good reason.

Still, shouldn’t we expect those who don’t share our faith to come out against the Bible?

After all, isn’t one of Satan’s tactics to influence people to reject the Scriptures as authentic?

So, why am I bringing this up?

First, we have a lot of work to do. More and more Christians are becoming less and less familiar with the Bible. You would be surprised how many don’t know John 3:16, perhaps the most quoted verse in all of Scripture.

Last week, author Joyce Carol Oates wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the Bible is a work of fiction and anthologies and a fertile ground for hypocrisy. Her post is below…

Now, there is no doubt that we are all hypocrites. She has a valid point however misunderstood she may be about God’s Word. Still, millions of people have embraced and weaponized the idea of hypocrisy against Christianity and sought to discredit the Bible as a book of tales or fallacies.

Personally, I’m not offended. I can’t speak as to whether you should be or not.

I will say that trusting the Bible is a matter of faith. Whenever it comes to God, it’s always about faith. I said this morning in a video about anxiety and spiritual warfare, God is always asking us to trust Him a little more, and then a little more, and still yet a little more.

Jesus said those who hear his voice are his sheep. They know him and they respond to him. You see, sheep are funny creatures. If they don’t recognize a voice, they won’t trust it. They won’t follow. They’ll skeptically run.

Let’s think of this from another perspective.

Everyone has faith in something. It may be another religion. It could be in another person. It might be in themselves.

Whatever that religion or person is that one has faith in… That religion or leader can only do one thing.

Try to take a bad person and make them a good one.

The Bible presents a very different God. Its goal isn’t to make good people. In fact, it affirms over and over again that it isn’t possible to do so because of our rebellion from God in our sin.

Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.”

Thanks to sin, every human being from the time they are born is physically dying. Yet, all those without Christ are spiritually dead and will face the final death on the day of judgment.

What Jesus did was take a dead person and give them life — by faith.

If I were talking with Ms. Oates, this would be my response to her. If she chose not to believe that I wouldn’t be upset with her. Nor would I condemn her. My responsibility is to tell her the truth. The rest is between her and God. I am not her judge, He is.

So, my response is to take her comment as one of self-reflection.

Why do I believe in the authenticity and veracity of the Bible?

Why do I believe Jesus is 100% God and 100% human, united in one, came from heaven to Earth in the form of a child, lived 33 years of a redemptive life for us, died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin, descended into Hades, on the third day rose for the dead, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right of the Father in all power, glory, and dominion?

This is my journey of faith in Christ. I daily seek my salvation with fear and trembling knowing Christ has called me to daily pick up my cross and follow Him… no matter the circumstance or consequence.

This life is a matter of faith. It won’t get easier. God will stretch us. He wants us to “know” Him, not just know about Him.

What does your journey look like?

I will defend the faith. I’m called to it. So is every Christian. Yet, how we do that is the real issue.

I’ll speak more about this in the near future.

For now…

Blessing To You,

Father Don