Finding No Expiration Date for the Bible

One of the top priorities that the American colonies had after gaining independence from Britain back in the 1780s was the necessity of formulating a constitution, a document by which the newly formed nation would govern. Although the writers of the Constitution allowed for limited flexibility in amending the document, they agreed that the core Bill of Rights was non-negotiable and could never be altered. Although it’s not perfect, the U.S. Constitution has withstood the test of time for more than 200 years. 

But did you ever consider what would happen to the United States if no standard governed the nation? Suppose the freedom that Americans enjoy depended entirely on the whims of the current officeholder of the President. Without the Constitution, the only way to stop the president from disbanding Congress or outlawing the free press would be to form a brigade of angry, armed congressmen or an alliance of rebel news reporters. Obviously, the very existence of the United States as it is today is based on having a solid, reliable foundation in place for governing. 

Similarly, the Bible serves as something like the Constitution of the Christian faith. It provides a nonnegotiable standard by which God’s truth can be understood apart from the fashions of the times, the wisdom of the day, and emotions of the moment. Without the Bible, Christianity becomes something much like the United States without a constitution – power, emotion, and what’s culturally acceptable dictate belief rather than what the founders agreed is really true. 

Yet, because the Bible was written thousands of years ago, many people don’t see its relevance to the modern world that you and I live in today. I admit that it does sometimes seem hard to relate to the Israelites back in the Book of Exodus, who wandered through the desert for 40 years looking for the Promised Land. Today, I’d just take a handheld GPS and a 4 x 4 and make their generation-long trek a fun weekend getaway. Or, take the apostles as they started to grow the Church after the ascension of Jesus (see Chapter 5). If they’d have used modern marketing techniques and high tech mass communication, they could’ve grown the Church even quicker. 

It’s natural for every generation to look back on people of previous times with a patronizing attitude, writing them off as simpletons and irrelevant to the more sophisticated times of today. Yet, technology and progress don’t change the same basic issues that humans have always faced since Day One. The major problems of current society – such as war, injustice, greed, infidelity, and lust – are all scattered throughout the Bible’s pages. The major needs of people – such as love, happiness, meaning, truth, and a sense of purpose – are also dealt with throughout the Bible. Therefore, although the technology, culture, and language may be different, the applicability of the biblical message remains timeless.

Perhaps even more important to note is the idea that although society may change through the years, God is the same as he ever was. And Christians believe that because God’s character is revealed through his “diary,” that same character is as relevant and timely in this century as it was when it was written thousands of years ago.