The Bible may hold a place on the All Time Best Seller's list, but it doesn't seem to hold a place in the hearts of men and women today. Many look upon the Bible as an outdated book. They reason that society has advanced so much since the time it was written that there is no way it is useful to us today. Is that true? Is the Bible still relevant today?

        The word relevant carries with it the idea of being pertinent, appropriate, bearing upon and relating to a matter. Would it be appropriate for us to consider the teachings of the Bible and how they apply to our world today? Does the Bible have any bearing upon the lives of people today? Or should it be relegated as a dated piece of literature which has long since served its purpose? We need to answer these questions. Consider the following:

1. God and His Word Have Not Changed. A lot of time has passed since the Bible was written, but God has not changed. "For I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). He is still the same person. He hasn't grown any wiser or any more tolerant over the past 2,000 years.

The Bible reveals God's attitude toward sin and what constitutes sin. Our society may have changed its mind about things like homosexuality, adultery and abortion, but that doesn't mean God has. What the Bible says about sin and immorality still stands today. "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).

2. The Needs of Man Have Not Changed. The Bible tells us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We don't hear people called sinners anymore. What used to be condemned as sin is now celebrated as being "alternative" and "diverse". No one seems to do anything wrong anymore, and if they do it is always someone else's fault, not their own. The Bible is the only book honest enough with us to both identify what our problem is and to offer a solution. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

3. The Needs of Society Have Not Changed. Mankind has made some significant changes in the last fifty years. But our needs as a society haven't changed. Isn't it interesting that the world found the Bible useful for 1,950 years, then all of a sudden it is no longer relevant? Many people might be surprised to find that the Bible addresses and offers solutions to problems that we are dealing with in our country today.

The Bible addresses things like crime and punishment (Eccl. 8:11), the role of government (Romans 13:1-6), home and family life (Eph. 5:22-6:4), welfare abuse (2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8), prejudice (Romans 2:11, 12:10), drug and alcohol abuse (1 Cor. 6:12, 19; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3) and terrorism (Matt. 7:12; Rom. 12:18).

One of the reasons the Bible has stood the test of time is because of its relevance. It provides us with guidelines by giving us an absolute standard of right and wrong. It identifies and offers the correct solutions to the problems we all face and, most importantly, it is the only book that offers us eternal hope. Yes, the Bible is relevant today. Please contact us if we can help you in your study of the Bible.

Robison St. Church of Christ
Edna, Texas

TOP               BACK