Weaponising The Bible

The Bible is the most complex text ever written and cannot be authored by humans only. However, as the Bible claims and the complexity of its text proves it, it was written by God who used 40 particular people to write down specific information from God and about God to the people. The prophecies about Jesus and in the later days, after Jesus was born, lived a holy life, died on the cross and rose from the dead, more was written about Jesus. To confirm what was foretold in the old times by the prophets. 

The complexity of the Bible text is yet to be understood, by me at least. I have recently encountered the work of Chris Harrison who identified over 63000 cross-references in the whole Bible. This was then depicted in the form of a rainbow to show how verses from each book of the Bible cross references with verses from other books in the Bible. For those more curious about this topic, there is also an interactive version of the cross-reference Bible rainbow. This could help study God’s word and understand the context more in-depth to give a correct understanding of Biblical doctrines. Ensuring when a Bible verse is interpreted, it’s done in the context of cross-referencing. 

But the vast wisdom encrypted in the Bible goes beyond the human eye. Reading the book of Proverbs, authored by King Solomon, I am yet to discover more and more about God, His statutes and His wisdom. The book of Psalms, through its authors, reveals riches of knowledge and understanding about the world and the creation. About God and His eternal character, and even about Jesus. I think most of the time, we do not have the right heart and mind when we open the Bible. Hence the subject for today. 

I have been munching on this topic for a while and decided to write on it. It is rather important to understand that the Bible is not a tool to use as we like. The Bible claims what its purpose is, yet once when we grasp a few principles, we seem to handle the Bible as a hammer to go against other people’s views. I am all in favour and open-minded when it comes to exchanging ideas and discussing a topic from the Bible. Not to forget, that all the existential subjects can be discussed from the Bible. But I have encountered situations where people discussed a topic and noticed that they were using the Bible, to disprove each other’s views. I noticed, afterwards, that I did the same in my discussions. I said then to myself “We are not as mature as we think, sadly.” And indeed, most of the time we have a strange impression about ourselves. Yet I find in the book of Proverbs to be careful with such a mindset. To think about me as having a higher status than what the Bible proves I am. In other words, the Bible encourages us to think critically not just about the world, but most importantly to think critically about ourselves. In doing so, we will always put ourselves below the Bible and the Wisdom God wrote in His Word. And have a heart and mind ready to be taught, even when it knows a lot about the topic, it is yet empty to learn more. 

It is dangerous to think that I am above what the Bible says because I have read it and understood many aspects of it. That’s where the danger is. We would only approach the Bible so when we think it’s a mere lifeless book. The Bible is God’s Word, not that it was written by Him directly, with His hand. That if God would have hands. If the Bible was just a book like any other book, we wouldn’t have to read and study it all of our lives to discover we know less and less about God. There is the trap of presuming that the Bible message is finite. Yet it is not so, because it was written by an infinite being, GOD! This does not mean, that we can re-interpret things as we like, but to understand that for the last two thousand years, the same Bible applied in every cultural and historical context. In any type of society from whatever part of the world. If it is so, then to me this is evidence that behind the Bible is God working through it, to teach people about Him and His great Salvation through Jesus Christ. For God indeed can be seen as a tool. And he only has the right to use it so, because it was Him crafting the Bible. We are mere pots which need moulding. 

That is why I have been motivated and moved to write on this topic. To increase our awareness on how to approach the Bible and how to disprove false doctrine. One of the issues in combating wrong teaching is that we take it very personally when we hear erroneous interpretations of the Bible. We become emotional and then we react, rather than respond. Reacting to the wrong doctrine will result in a fight. Responding to it will result in understanding the others’ view and then giving an answer which will include proclaiming the Gospel truth to them. A true witness will not only give the Gospel but will challenge other people, in questioning their line of thinking and comparing it with the Bible most critically and effectively. So that the truth is proclaimed.  

A weapon has a specific purpose. And is not to bring good into the world, but to create damage and chaos. The Bible doesn’t mention of any tools Adam needed to look after the Garden of Eden. Yet, after the fall of man into sin, man started to create tools of brass and iron. We may presume for agriculture work and farming. However, because of the first murder in the Bible was committed by Cain. It is his posterity who are developing these tools of brass and iron and it will be unwise to think they did not create war tools as well. Not long after this, in Genesis chapter six, we see God saddened, because of the wickedness of man. There aren’t many details, but it describes enough to think things haven’t gone at all in the right direction. 

If a weapon is used for wrong purposes, what is to say about us when we grab the Bible and throw it at each other? There’s not much to vocalize, only weeping to be heard. Because we do not acknowledge the gravity of what is happening today amongst Christians and in Christianity. Unfortunately, there are a few individuals who believe that they are entitled to think what they believe. Such a view has its roots in such a well-rounded egocentrism. Unimaginably perfected so that nothing would hurt such a selfish egocentrism. 

But you see, the Bible is not a weapon. It’s a short letter of hope. The disobedient people changed its purpose to fit theirs. Transforming therefore the Bible from a guide for life into a weapon for destruction. You might say, these are harsh words and it is a strong statement. Isn’t this what the Bible does as well?  

We have to get very serious about the Bible. Moreover, we have to listen to its precepts and acknowledge, that wisdom is a gift from God. And not of our own we have attained unto understanding about God. That is where the problem mostly is. Humility and humbleness in recognising, that God is the one and only in our life. He pours wisdom and feeds us with the knowledge of his commandments and precepts. That is what I read in Psalm 119:97-104.  

Is the Bible a weapon for destruction? It can be used so and has been already. We can identify in history, many murderous acts made in the name of a religion proclaiming its mores are from the Bible to protect the Bible. Last time I checked, the one who needs protection is me, and not the Bible. God’s message stands forever and ever steadfastly in any storm. There have been many attacks against the Bible and they are growing in numbers and force. But what amazes me, is how strong the Bible stands against, with gratitude, clarity, love and compassion.  

That is why, when I witness Christians, debating each other on a subject and throwing verses at each other, irresponsibly, it is mere evidence which shows how immature they are in knowing the Author. Looking at the Bible, there are warnings against such an all-knowing attitude. Revelation 21:18-19 and perhaps one of the most resounding, 2 Peter 1:20-21. Peter’s statement clarifies that there is no prophecy which interprets on its own. Why is that? Because prophecies came one after another to reveal bit by bit God’s plan. Therefore, the same principle can be applied to doctrine. A doctrine cannot be made out by single out a verse or chapter. It is a manipulative approach and that is when the battle starts. Two parties will be fighting each other in justifying why their interpretation is the correct one. In the end, if there is maturity as little as a mustard seed, they will peacefully agree to disagree. On the flip side, they will disagree to disagree and exclude one another. Claiming the other side is the heretics and the other side claiming the same. This is proof that the Bible stands against them both. One example that comes into my mind, is the year 1054. The split divided the European Christian church into two major branches: the Western Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Sadly, both were in the wrong in comparison with the Bible and in the right comparing one with each other. Again, proof that God’s Word stands as the objective Truth. 

The Bible is a guide and the best instructor for us. Not a weapon for destruction. Those who used it for selfish purposes, led them to the eternal grave. The promise and warning at the same time, found in the Bible, is that GOD will preserve His word (Psalms 12:6-7). Therefore, He is watching what you do, with His holy word. 

It is not I who has to preserve God’s word, but I need to be preserved by God through His Word. Therefore, next time I am tempted to believe I know everything about what the Bible has to teach on a topic. I should challenge myself, in asking if I know what I know. And if I know it, is it evidenced in my life?  

“Knowledge without action is vanity and action without knowledge is insanity.” Not my quote, but by analysing it and reflecting on it, the Bible says the same. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but the fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) I am also reading in this verse that I am to come before God with reverence and humbleness and not to be a fool in despising this. It is foolish to think otherwise but to approach God through His word with full devoutness. And that is only the beginning of knowledge. It will never end, because God is eternal. May we all reflect on this and allow God to sow His truth in our lives. So that sprouts fruits of understanding of His Word and His statutes.