A rational look at the Bible

This Purpose Driven Life provides all sorts of answers, so many and with such conviction that it can be a bit much. Rather than criticize the author, I have not made comments for the past few chapters. I have found that by looking at the outline of the book (major headings and sub headings), it makes much more sense than the actual reasoning the author presents to develop those thoughts. But maybe the road to understanding does not start with sweeping statements of belief. Nor does it start with clear statements of unbelief.

There are two ways of being sure of something: comprehension or experience. A young man looks at the sky and says “A frontal system is moving in and it looks like we will have an occlusion in this area and considerable precipitation.” An old man near by raises his eyebrow and says, “Well, I don't know about that, but that ridge of clouds over there with the dark underside look like one of those big storms we used to have so we better head indoors.”

Both observers were sure of their prediction, one from study to understand “why”, the other from experiencing the “what”. In life most of what we are sure of comes via the “what” of experience rather than the “why” of study. As a person with a quantitative background and a scientific bent, I cannot just accept the Bible as the author suggests. I need to know for myself that it is right and true.

I have taken both of the approaches mentioned above. I have spent many hours trying to comprehend the Bible. But I have also taken the advice of “taste and see” (Ps 34:8). Just like when trying a new food, all the explanation and analysis in the world cannot give you knowledge of the flavor. But one taste tells all.

So, with a rather modest knowledge of the Bible I started trying to do what it says I should do. Now after years of study I cannot say that I understand God or the Bible. However, after years of “tasting” I am dead certain that it “works”.

But what did I expect? Did I expect a scientific treatise or systematic logic? (Actually I did.) But the Bible says of itself what to expect: “[The Bible] is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16).” It is a practical tool for pointing out errors, showing how to correct them, training us on how to do good works. So far I have found it does that when put into practice and even a bit more.