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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by The Word of God I periodically meet people who appear to have a chip on their shoulder concerning the Bible. They seem to have a negative attitude toward a book about which they know very little. Seldom does this hostility arise without some outside influences such as educational background, secular philosophies or the observation of so-called hypocrites. Since millions the world over claim to have received comfort, help, life direction and knowledge of eternal salvation from its pages, it seems to make sense to at least afford it the courtesy extended to a common criminal---which is innocent until proven guilty. Of course, an effort to accurately disprove the claims of Scripture would involve an intensive study of the same which could lead to sobering results. Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the parts about the Bible that I don’t understand that bother me, but rather the passages that I do understand that greatly trouble me.” For obvious reasons, science is far more interested in bones and artifacts that date back to 2500 B.C. rather than 1940 A.D. Is there a book in your library with any greater antiquity? Does the Bible deserve the same scrutiny? Criticism toward the Bible finds deeper roots than just parroting what Dr. Slipjaw at the university said. And examination of its admonitions can do a number on the human ego. For example, it kicks self righteousness all around the block (Romans 3:10-23); denounces confidence in human intellect (Psalm 118:8); condemns all forms of human pride (Proverbs 29:23); contends that an unthankful spirit is the root of all sin (Romans 1); demands that we love God first and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:28-34); suggests that we should regularly check our attitudes toward materialism and money (I Timothy 6:5-10) and that our behavior in general should be regulated by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). No wonder, in this day of “it’s all about me,” the WORD is not appreciated in all circles. To give assent to its authenticity would compel one to bow to its sovereign Author or at the very least force a person to admit rebellion. The alternative is to mimic some so-called intellect with pronouncements of “a collection of myths and stories written by men to control the masses.” This may serve to ease the mind of consequences, but a stroll through any cemetery reminds us that the critics come and go, but the Testaments remain. If they were not real and inspired, there would not be this continual struggle to escape their influence. Have a nice day!
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