Thots On the Relevancy of the Bible

Am I the only one who hears it?  “The Bible is irrelevant.”  I thoroughly and passionately disagree.  The Bible is not only relevant, but applicable to the core.

In today’s human struggle – whether on the personal level to feel emotionally and spiritually connected, or on the global scale to be a part of the international community – the Bible has not only solutions and answers, but instructions and insights that cannot be ignored.  But there are times when it seems like the Bible is irrelevant – or at best, relative.  “It just depends upon your perspective,” some say.  From an unbelieving perspective, I would agree.  But from a more circumspect and believing perspective, I would strongly disagree.  Let me try to explain.

I read an article (British Muslims Feel 'Alienated') about how Muslims in England are complaining about feeling culturally alienated from Non-Muslims.  The problem is that there are those Muslims in Britain who are radical, protesting Western laws, causing riots and stirring up the people with threats of violence.  Back that up with violent acts such as the commuter train bombing last year, and you have a recipe for all sorts of trouble.  How can we expect the law to discriminate between the offender and the moderate/conservative before the act?  It cannot.  So, the act must be committed – and THEN the law can be prosecuted.  If it is only Muslims practicing these violent things, then of course the Non-Muslim community will not only NOT embrace their Muslim neighbors, but become wary and even prejudiced against all who consider themselves Muslims.  

I believe the Bible to be applicable to the core – but here is the rub where some may be conflicted in that the Muslims are doing in Britain just what Paul did on his journeys – stirring up the people, countering the traditional laws and ways.  That is the unbelieving perspective.  It is a view that equates Islam to Christianity because the techniques of proselytizing are similar.  But a closer, more circumspect review of the facts would reveal that the similarities are strictly superficial.  Paul was not violent and did not threaten violence.  The Bible says “a soft word will turn away wrath.”  Christianity is about peace with God AND man.  While there will be those who persecute Christians, violence is NOT their answer to persecution and unbelief according to the Bible.  That is a striking difference between Islam and Christianity – and how applicable the Bible is for those who will commit to following it.

Therefore, it is not merely a matter of perspective.  For those targeted by the violent faction of Islam, who can blame them for classifying ALL Muslims as potential threats to their personal and national security?  It is not the moderate and conservative Muslims who are victims of new British laws, but the Britons who are victims of violent Muslims.  The only hope that non-violent Muslims have of convincing Britons that they are not a threat is to expose and eradicate the violent faction among them, and side with the Britons against them.  It will take time, but over time, they will establish a reputation that they are not a foe, but a friend.  

However, it is western culture that is under fire from the Muslims.  The violent ones as well as the pacifists have proclaimed their objective – to make the world Muslim.  They have gained a foothold in nearly every quarter of the globe.  When the aim of every Muslim is an aim against our culture, it is an aim against us.  Of course westerners are not embracing Muslims.  Again, superficially, this seems to be similar to Christianity – but we revert back to their tactics of violence and find an indisputable difference.  While Christians also seek to change the culture (and are alienated and persecuted for it – everywhere) we must compare Christianity with Islam to distinguish their differences rather than ignore them in light of their similarities.  For Muslims, world peace is not their aim, but world dominance.  This fits like hand in glove with the prophetic words of the Scripture regarding the global situation immediately prior to the rapture of the church.  Again, the Bible is relevant to this situation.  

So, while the Muslim may believe sincerely that his holy book is right, that poor Muslim is sincerely wrong – the Bible is the Truth for it tells of salvation, peace, love, hope, grace and mercy rather than violence, force, jihad, and dictatorship and monarchy.  One only needs to look at the Bible with an earnest willingness to try to apply its teachings to find that they are penetrating to the very soul of a man, applicable to his life, his community, and his world.  The Bible is relevant to every part of our lives.  

I am a Christian and I feel alienated because of my faith, too.  But I am not a victim of persecution because my Bible’s teachings advocate violence and force against all who don’t believe as I do.  I am persecuted, yes, but I am not a victim.  I am alienated but not complaining – I’m seeking to help others understand my situation, trust my Savior, and then they will be on my side… all peacefully and lovingly.  My God does not wish my destruction or yours.  That is intimately applicable!