Can I Trust My Bible?

Dr. Buddy Hicks

Dear Dr. B.,

I have been a Christian for many years and have always believed that the Bible is true. I recently read a book and saw a movie with the same title, i.e., “The Da Vinci Code.” Now, I am having serious doubts about my Bible. Can you help me believe in the Bible again?

Signed, Donnie

Dear Donnie,

The recent attacks that Dan Brown, the author of “The Da Vinci Code,” has made against Christians and their Bible is not some new phenomenon! King Solomon who was, according to some, one of the wisest men ever to live wrote, ‘Nothing under the sun is new’, (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Brown’s attacks are the same old ‘smoke and mirror’ scheme in a new wrapper. In spite of all the hype that Hollywood gave to the movie and the book, neither the book nor the movie, in any way, discredited the true authenticity of the Bible. Honestly, the movie was such a ‘non-event’, that I think all of heaven must have simply ‘yawned’ when it had its first debut. For Christians, the movie has become a blessing in disguise. It reminds me of the old saying, ‘What the devil has meant for bad, God has used it for his good’, (Romans 2:28). Because of all the interest in the movie, many pastors and Christian teachers have taken advantage of all the hype and re-visited the facts concerning the reliability of the Bible with their followers. God has this entire matter under control!

It would be impossible for me to address all of your questions in this column, but I will offer a few things that should get you pointed in the right direction. You mentioned that the movie led you to believe that the Bible is not any different than any other book? Here are a few things for you to consider.

Orthodox Christianity has always held that God chose the various authors to write their respective correspondence but his Holy Spirit was ‘overshadowing’ them every step of the way. Donnie, it was this ‘divine overshadowing’ that enabled the biblical writers to write beyond their natural abilities and without error. (When someone points out supposed errors in the Bible, the challenge is in translation variances, not with the original manuscripts). This ‘overshadowing’ is one among many things that separates the Bible from all other books. The Bible is ‘God breathed’ or ‘God inspired’. There are two verses that come to my mind which infer that the Bible is in a class all of its own. Read what St. Paul said about the Bible’s supernatural dimensions in Hebrews 4:12. St. Peter also tells us that God’s word did not come about by men’s own interpretations (See 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Jews and Christians have always believed that their scriptures had a supernatural dimension to them which placed them in a different category. Mr. Brown’s claims concerning an incomplete Bible is based upon spurious writings of *Gnostic writers (see definition below). Gnostics claim that their writings are superior to all others, the Bible included. Orthodox Christianity has consistently rejected these writings as being canonical. Brown’s claims throughout the book had no sound research upon which to base them.

Donnie, let me conclude by assuring you that the Bible is both accurate and reliable. It has remained the same for centuries in the face of the lies of men who have attempted to discredit it. Archaeological finds have only reinforced the truth-claims of the Bible. Books like “The Da Vinci Code” will collect the dust of irrelevancy while the Bible will remain, as always, ‘God’s message of love for all mankind’. You can trust the Bible.

I will pray that my brief answers have assisted you to find the answers to your questions. Remember, asking questions is a true sign of Christian maturity. If you desire to take a serious look into how the Bible is God’s word, I suggest that you read “A General Introduction to the Bible” by Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix; Moody Press; ISBN 0-8024-2916-5 and a classic written by F. F. Bruce entitled “Are the New Testament Documents Reliable?”

* Gnostics believe that they have secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest of the universe, of which the general population was unaware. Gnosticism became one of the three main belief systems within 1st century Christianity.

If you have a practical life question that you would like to ask Dr. B., you may e-mail him at askdoctorb@ gmail.com You may write Dr. B. at: Ask Dr. B., 117 Granberry Street, Humble, TX 77338. All questions become the property of Ask Dr. B and may or may not be published. Identities of the persons submitting questions are protected.