“Is the Bible sufficient to help someone,” my professor asked, smiling slightly. The classroom sat silently awaiting his response. I stared at him lost in thought over this new puzzle. I wondered if I were a heretic because of the conclusions I was drawing. After a long pause he said, “Alright, break into your groups again and let’s discuss this.” A similar discussion on this same question can be found at Stand to Reason’s site here. In his article, Koukl concludes that no, Scripture is not sufficient – for every problem or issue. The Bible is sufficient for leading people to salvation and to the good works of sanctification (2 Timothy 3:15,17), but it was never intended be the only beneficial or adequate source on human existence. Many Christians, the author argues, while well intending, actually “deny believers a source of wisdom and knowledge the Bible itself encourages us to consider.
I must say that I agree with Mr. Koukl on this matter. It seems like the best question to ask in response to the question “Is the Bible sufficient to help someone” is, “sufficient in what way?” In Scripture we see a continuum of reconciliation – mankind falls from perfect relationship with God, and slowly throughout the pages of the Old Testament and New Testament, humanity is reunited with God through the person of Jesus Christ. So, the Bible’s goal is to lead people into right relationship with the Triune God. And this it sufficiently. However, Scripture is not necessarily sufficient for all issues (though it does indirectly and often directly address many human problems). While I do not want to depreciate the authority of God's Word, we should be careful of zealously trying to make Scripture say more than it intends.
Koukl makes a valid point that many Christians deny the Bible as a source of wisdom. Although, it is not simply believers who deny it. Many Christians are hesitant to use the Bible as a source with their non-believing friends for fear of not being taken seriously or degraded. It is immeasurable in it's wisdom, yet the world has lessened the magnitude of its impact through allowing it to become "just another book" in the eyes of many.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with your post. The Bible is completely sufficient for sharing the gospel, growing in Christ, and finding answers for theology. But when it comes to counseling, it is not sufficient for everything. The Bible can help offer hope to the hopeless and can offer great insight. But the BIble was never intended to be a psychology book.
ReplyDeleteI hold a similar perspective on this question as you do. I believe that all truth in the Bible IS absolute truth, the Bible itself does not hold ALL absolute truth. The Bible is sufficient as a framework or worldview from which an individual can base the guiding principles and truths of his or her life. It can give individuals an understanding of who they are, who God is, what their problem may be, how they can obtain help and healing for those problems on a relational and spiritual level, how individuals can have relationship with God, how they are to live their lives, and what their overall purpose is while on this earth. The Bible addresses all these aspects of a person's life, and more; but the Bible does not necessarily specifically address all problems that a person may face or all solutions to these possible problems. The main things I'm thinking of that the Bible does not address in-depth are medical problems and solutions. While the Bible does discuss God's healing power and some basic health guidelines that were given to the early church concerning which foods to eat and when they should be eaten, it is not a medical text book that gives an in-depth explanation on the truth and reality of a person's medical condition.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Bible must be used as a worldview and framework to view medical and health problems through, it is not sufficient in providing specific medical solutions for specific medical problems, and is therefore NOT sufficient for solving all problems.
Thank you for sharing your thought with us. I think the Bible is sufficient with the biblical way to Christian who fully understand His own words and what He siad so. However, in the counseling, it will be depends on who they are. we should understand them to have good perspectives of the Scripture, and it will be our work in God's way to help their probelms.
ReplyDelete