The word of God
Jesus predicted the resilience of God’s word when he said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever” (Matthew 24:35). The Bible has survived amidst criticism, rationalism, and countless ridicule. Eighteenth century French philosopher Voltaire predicted the demise of the Bible in light of rationalism. Fifty years after he died, his old home in France was used as a storage and distribution center for the Geneva Bible Society.
The Bible has been “banned, burned and bludgeoned with … animosity and scorn.” But why? John Calvin answers: “Whenever people slander God’s word… they show they feel within its power, however unwillingly or reluctantly.” Modern folk have an aversion towards God’s word because, “the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword,… quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It confronts everything that is evil within us and lays bare our soul before a mighty God. We shun it because Jesus is not politically correct enough and requires too high a standard of us to allow Him to shape modern society.
To think that philosophy or science will eventually render God’s word irrelevant is imprudent. As Isaiah put it, “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
The Bible has been “banned, burned and bludgeoned with … animosity and scorn.” But why? John Calvin answers: “Whenever people slander God’s word… they show they feel within its power, however unwillingly or reluctantly.” Modern folk have an aversion towards God’s word because, “the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword,… quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It confronts everything that is evil within us and lays bare our soul before a mighty God. We shun it because Jesus is not politically correct enough and requires too high a standard of us to allow Him to shape modern society.
To think that philosophy or science will eventually render God’s word irrelevant is imprudent. As Isaiah put it, “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
