Critics and skeptics of the Bible

Critics and skeptics of the Bible (professing Christians and non-Christians) will create arguments and disputes that the Bible is a myth, full of contradictions, but the Bible is clear in this passage (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Before we start our study, let us have a word of prayer. Father God, we come to you today, to acknowledge that You are the Creator God who created the universe as You mentioned in your Book. Help us Lord to understand Your word and guide us through the Holy Spirit that we might understand the things of God in Jesus name. Amen.

The Bible says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14)”

Let us dissect this verse word for word:

1. The man without Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God:

The man without Spirit is not born again (John 3:3) and he cannot accept or understand the things come from God. What things? The things that God has said in His Book. What Book? The Bible or the Scripture. The Bible says, “Every word of God is pure. He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5). God said that His word is pure, He said what He meant and He meant what He said. In other words, a Christian or a believer in Christ will obey what God has said in His word. To expound some more passages:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (1 Timothy 3:16, 17).”

This passage tells us the first requirement is all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. When we see the meaning of all. It means all. Therefore, God is saying that His word is from beginning to end (Genesis to Revelation).

Another passage is Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart.”

This passage is in reference also to Proverbs 30:5 when God said, “every word of God is pure…”

1. For they are foolishness to him:

This is an interesting word that God has used, “foolishness.” There are three basic references from the Bible:

2:1 The fool has said in his heart. There is no God. They have corrupted their behavior and made it abominable. There is none who does right (Psalm 14:1)

2.2 Claiming to be wise, they became foolish (Romans 1:22)

2.3 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18)

1. He cannot understand them

As we study the three verses (item 2:1 to 2.3), the man who is not born again cannot understand what God is saying to him.

1. They are spiritually discerned

When Jesus revealed to Himself as Messiah to the Samaritan woman (John 4), Jesus said to her: “But the hour is coming and is now – when genuine worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is looking for such as His worshippers. God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Two key words to remember to worship God: spirit and truth. If a man’s spirit is dead, the Bible tells us that he cannot worship or communicate with the Creator God. Jesus said to Nicodemus (a religious leader who knows the Old Testament well and a teacher of the law): “Truly I assure you, unless a person is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).” Born from above is the term “born again” in another translation.

The other requirement is the truth: Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).” Jesus was saying that He is the truth. It means the only truth, no one else. He told us that He is the only Mediator between God and man, no one else. Apostle Paul expounded Jesus claimed by saying, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1Timothy 2:5).”

Therefore a man who is not born again whether he claims that he is a Christian if he does not obey the Scripture, then his agenda is to pervert and deviate the word of God; the result he will misrepresent God. This man is considered as a false teacher as Apostle Peter told us in his written word recorded in 2 Peter 2. Read Galatians 1:6-9 and Revelation 22:18-19.

The truth teller of God’s word must always proclaim what the Bible has to say, nothing more, nothing less.

Reading and studying for the Bible for Christians is to know the Creator God – Jesus Christ. To know what He hates and what He loves by following and obeying His written word. For the non-Christians, this is weird to them because they fall on 1 Corinthians 2:14, which we just studied today.

Thank you Lord for teaching us Your word and guide us to do in representing You according to Your word that we might be a true witness to the world — the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name. Amen.

We have concluded our study about this passage, which is very important for Christians in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are not born again, ask God that He might open your eyes to see the things of God.

Nauru Weah lives in Palmer.