The title of this article might suggest that its reading is unnecessary, for it seems—at first glance at least—that every Christian hold this truth as an intrinsic part of his worldview. But let us not jump to such conclusion prematurely. Let us rather consider a few trends, found among us believers, before blowing the trumpet of unanimity.

The first trend

One of the major disasters taking place in our Christian communities has to do with a discreet sabotage of the Scriptures. And as strange as it may appear the saboteurs are, most of the time, unaware of their destructive influence. Let me explain.

The nature of the sabotage

To be authoritative the Bible must be, by definition, understandable and conclusive. Unfortunately, that is precisely where the problem begins, for we are told, and told by usurpers in disguise, that no one can be sure to understand the Scriptures, and more so, when it comes to popular moral truths.

For instance, I have been told many times that my convictions in regard to some moral issues cannot be authoritative since they are not established on the Scriptures per se, but rather on my interpretation of them and my interpretation is fallible. At first glance this approach seems defendable. But is it really? Granted the Scriptures can be misinterpreted, to imply that all exegeses in the realm of moral are nonbinding amounts to an absolute assault on God’s ability to express Himself clearly. Or to put it differently, to advance the Scriptures are authoritative on one side and then turn around and say nobody can be sure he understands them is not only self-contradictory but also a denial of God’s testimony, for we are told in the Book of Proverbs:

Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?” (Prov. 22:20,21).

Here the Scripture attests univocally that God can make us know the certainty of the words of truth, that is to say, God is able to form in us valid convictions. To the question: “Why should He do it?” The answer is absolutely clear: so we may be able to speak authoritatively the words of truth in a disorientated world.

What the sabotage reveals

The person that hides under the delusive pretence that all moral persuasions, based on the Scriptures, cannot be trusted is directly implying that God is unable to do what He said He can do, viz. to make a person know the certainty of the word of truth. As a matter of fact, it is precisely this ironclad certitude that qualifies a preacher, for his responsibility is precisely to expound authoritatively the word of God. To voice God’s Counsel without certitude is as useless as a compass on the North Pole. The world, as well as the church, can care less about human speculations and opinions. They need clear and authoritative direction.

When Jesus told His disciples that the scribes and Pharisees where blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14), His claim was in part established on the fact that they were unable to teach God’s counsel with authority (see Mark 1:22), and they were unable to teach it that way because they had not heard God’s voice at any time (John 5:37). Let it be understood, it is the hearing of God’s voice that engenders certitude. All other alternatives can only yield human interpretations leading to opinions detached from divine revelation.

There is a very revealing scripture found in the Gospel of John which says:

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” (John 7:17)

Here Jesus is telling us that valid convictions can be reached if, and only if, we intend to do God’s will unconditionally. If we do, we will know with certainty if something is from God or from men, and when we know it is from God all doubts dissolve and we can, at last, stand on the solid rock of validated knowledge.

Moral relativism

Now the sabotage I am talking about is by no means chimerical. It is as real as the moral decay existing in the world and oftentimes leaking through the roof of our churches. And believe me, the hypnotized vandals moving in our congregations— and often standing behind our pulpits—have no intention to fix the roof leaks. On the contrary, their aspiration is to spread moral relativism in view to circumvent their responsibility when time comes to speak authoritatively words of truth in regard to moral values, for when there is no authoritative verbalization there can be no persecution or ostracism.

The defense of the gospel

The purpose of this little post is to ring the alarm, for many eternal truths presented in the Scriptures are being attacked, and attacked not by the atheistic avant-garde but by believers afraid of absolute truths in the realm of morals. Their attempt to anesthetize any relevant discussion on this sort of subjects speaks loud and clear. Let it be understood, it is the absoluteness of the Scriptures that is being called into question, and we, among all people, are called of God to stand up for the defense of the gospel as Paul did (Philippians 1:7&17).

Remember, the apostle to the gentiles wrote to the Colossians telling them he was praying for them so they may attain “to all riches of the full assurance of understanding” (Colossians 2:2). These words stand in high contrast with the creed of the moral relativists, for here Paul attests, and attests absolutely, that not only can a person understand the Scriptures, but he can also be assured he truly understand them.

I repeat: To be authoritative the Bible must be understandable and conclusive. Without these two conditions its authority is gone.

Brethren! Let us will to do His will and discern what is from God and what is from men. When this is done, let us speak the word of truth, namely, the word of God, with boldness and conviction.