There always has been a wide variety of opinion about the Bible's meaning and significance.
For a long period of time in the Christian Church, it was forbidden for a layperson to even read it. Fortunately, that's no longer the case. But controversy still remains.
Opinions run the range from the Bible is the infallible word of God, to not placing much significance on it at all. And then there has been much cherry-picking from scripture to support particular, personal points of view.
My own opinion is that any opinion regarding what the Bible is, or isn't, is an interpretation.
Meaning even the point of view that the Bible is the infallible word of God, is an interpretation. However, I'm quick to add that I don't necessarily dismiss this interpretation as false. Only that it can't be proven without resorting to faith.
I can't claim to logically prove my point of view. That's why it's an interpretation, or opinion. However, here's a few things I do know:
There aren't many other books that have held up for thousands of years, under constant scrutiny. Think of all the scholars who have collectively spent hundreds of thousands of hours pouring over different versions of the Bible. Not to mention getting to the meaning of literally every word contained in it.
Some critics point to the variety of writing styles contained within the Bible as evidence that it isn't reliable. I look at the same variety as reflecting the vastness of God.
The Bible, at its best, is a book of spiritual meaning; not necessarily scientific in its world view. For someone searching for fool-proof evidence, that can be frustrating. But what else should we expect from a book that reflects God's character? God is immense, paradoxical (to us), not to mention infinite.
Even John writes at the end of his gospel, in speaking about God's Son: "Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21.25)
Given all of the above, it's no wonder that there has been and probably will continue to be controversy over what the Bible is, or isn't, this side of heaven.
Regardless of what we may think of the Bible, our relationship with God should be the more important consideration.
From that relationship, our understanding of God's word should flow. No matter what we think the Bible is, or isn't.
What do you think? Feel free to share!
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