One of the biggest criticisms of the Bible is that it is no longer relevant. After all, the most recent events recorded in the Bible took place almost 2,000 years ago, when Paul and the other disciples were spreading the gospel.
Given the ancient contexts of every scriptural event, how is the Bible relevant today?
A Secular View on the Value of History
Scholars recognize the historical value of the Bible whether they believe in a god at all or reject the spiritual life. Even atheists use it as a resource for understanding past cultures and establishing historical timelines.
They dispute some events and certain dates set forth by Christian historians, but there is a wealth of information between its pages, which is still useful to historians.
But why is any history important to society today? Peter N. Stearns argues that history “offers the only extensive evidential base for the contemplation and analysis of how societies function, and people need to have some sense of how societies function simply to run their own lives.”
Stearns also proposes that history contributes to our understanding of identity, morality, “good citizenship,” and how to deal with change.
One might also argue that history provides a sense of connection with the past so that, centuries after their predecessors lived, the individual is part of a long and tenacious root and feels as though he or she belongs to a bigger story.
Christians point to the deep roots of Christianity as part of the evidence for the Bible’s relevance and truthfulness.
Christians and non-Christians find examples of good and bad leadership from within the Bible. Its pages help them to create theories about effective government and social infrastructure. They attempt to learn from the mistakes of the past and prevent future atrocities.
Proponents of social evolutionary theory believe that “as life progresses from one stage to the next, it slowly rids itself of intellectual errors. [...] [T]his metanarrative is of gradual progress driven by improvements in the human mind and will.”
The Bible demonstrates the flaw in this theory, for “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
God’s Word for the New World
Nathaniel Schmucker wrote that the evidence of history is often depressing since no human being can solve the problem of evil. Only God can solve that problem.
At micro-levels, change can occur if large groups within a society can be motivated to act in the best interests of others, but evil does not go away; it just changes tac.
Consequently, reviewing the realities of human nature and failures of social justice over time reveals a depressing cycle. We cannot solve our own problems. We see that the evils of past ages continue into our generation and will persist in the next.
However, Scripture offers a solution and says that evil has been defeated already. Whereas new forms of government and social ideology fail to supply lasting change, God still “commands that we help the economically and spiritually poor in this world and anticipates a world in which all pain and sorrow are gone.”
Therefore, “the Christian view of history is inherently optimistic” because “unlike any other worldview” Christianity “both recognize the evil of sin and provides a solution to it.” The Bible provides hope where, logically, there should be none.
And even though we wait for Christ to return in the future, God demands that all people be treated equally now. Proverbs 20:10 says, “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” In Leviticus 19:15, we read, “You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”
The Lord invented social justice. The model of social evolution says that our contribution to the greater good is all that matters, but the Bible says otherwise.
The proper framework for understanding history is not the triumph of humanity but the story of sin, redemption, and judgment. The great question of life is how we respond to the offer of redemption and where we will stand after the final judgment.
This question does not linger in the past; it is as crucial today as ever.
The Bible set standards, which modern philosophers and activists believe they have invented. Importantly, Scripture fills in gaps created by sinful societies, gaps that human determination cannot close.
The Bible’s Ongoing Purpose
As for Christians who suggest that Scripture is merely an outdated moral guide for an ancient way of life, the Bible was not written merely as a guidebook to better moral living. The Bible is God’s story. We read it to learn about Jesus.
He is the modern Christian’s living hope as he was to the first Christians and as he will be to future generations of believers. Since “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), what we learn about him between the pages of Genesis, Ruth, Psalms, and Ephesians is as relevant today as ever.
That is excellent news for all people because Christ cleared a path for us to be with the Father. He said, “whoever will believe in me shall not perish” (John 3:16), but he also warned “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Christ does not change, so that statement is not obsolete. There is an unalterable flipside to this promise, too: All who refuse to believe in Christ for salvation and place their hope in other gods or in themselves will perish for eternity apart from God.
The Bible is relevant because the way to Heaven and the road to Hell have remained the same and this is a message every single person on earth needs to hear.
John 3:16 is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. The road is not a human road, so the changing landscape of modern times does not affect this spiritual reality.
From Eden to Eternity
God had been silent for centuries except where he communicated his majesty by the glory of creation and through Jewish teaching and customs. When Jesus arrived as Immanuel, however, God’s Word was relevant to him.
Christ quoted Scripture when he faced Satan in the wilderness. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4) These words were first uttered around 1400 BC — over 1400 years before Christ was tempted by Satan.
When Jesus needed to defend himself against the Devil, God’s Word was his defense. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full armor of God, including his Word, which is our sword. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
We are facing an enemy whose determination to destroy us is timeless, but who still cowers at the name of Jesus. The Bible is always current because Satan is always at work in the world and Jesus’ name still overwhelms his power.
The Bible is also the church’s collective memory. Communion is an act of remembrance. Jesus broke bread with his disciples, told them to eat and drink, and said “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
Jesus is the living Word (1 Peter 1:23), “imperishable” and “enduring.” The Bible is necessary to help us remember who God is, who we are, and our purpose in life.
What We Learn
Scripture, as God’s story, depicts his character, describes his promises, and explains why Jesus had to come. The penalty for sin is laid out, as is the cost of choosing not to follow Jesus. We learn that God can always be trusted; that he is omnipotent, omniscient, and loving.
God is always more powerful than the enemy, as demonstrated across the ages. The messages still reach us and continue to save. One caveat, however, is that reading Bible quotations out of context can be dangerous.
We want God’s Word to be transformative and life-giving, not lie-promoting. To that end, one’s understanding of the Bible’s relevance is best when the work is considered as a whole.
For further reading:
What Does it Mean That the Word of God Is Alive?
Does Proof of Jesus Other Than in the Bible Exist?
How Can We Trust the Bible We Have Today?
Why Should I Believe the Bible?
Why Can the Bible Only Be Understood Through the Spirit?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao
