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Undeniably, no other book that has ever been written has
caused as much controversy as the Bible. It has been
ridiculed, scoffed at, censored, outlawed, and generally
dismissed as an archaic book with little worth for modern
day man. Many view its contents as merely a collection of
fairy tales, dark prophesies, inaccurate historical
accounts, and ancient poetry. Skeptics deny its claim of
divine inspiration and instead attribute its writings to
religious zealots who were deceived about what they believed
or wrote about. On the other hand, millions of other people
believe that its message did come from God and have found
within its pages spiritual insight, divine comfort, and
inspiration. Although many religious groups lay claim to
certain parts of the Bible—Jews, followers of Islam, and
Christians—few people are willing to embrace the entire
Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—as being the inspired Word
of God. However, it is to that group that we direct this
current study. Those believers, as they are called,
have gone out on a limb by professing to accept as
true all that the Bible says; and it is among that group
that I also identify myself. Those who adhere to divine
inspiration have found within its pages the message of
salvation and hope for mankind. However, if anyone would be
honest enough to say so, some verses in the Holy Scriptures
also cause us to be uneasy at the least and morbidly
frightened at the most. While the Bible gives us reasons for
faith, it also gives us reasons to fear; while it gives us
reasons for hope, it also gives us reasons to despair; and
while it gives us comfort, it also gives us torment. I have
to believe, because it has been so in my life, that those
who have put their trust in the Living God and have
attempted to assimilate His Word into their lives, are
almost daily faced with Scriptures that bedevil, vex, and
plague our state of well-being. It is for the purpose
therefore, of giving some relief to the saints of God from
these troubling verses, that this study has been introduced;
and, as in all of our studies, we base our conclusions upon
the Word itself and provide those Scriptures which shed the
most light upon these dark passages. We ask that the
reader of this study, not only consider what we say, but
more importantly what the Bible says as we compare Scripture
with Scripture.
2 Tim
3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works. |
