The last few months have been painful ones in America. Portland, Chicago, and other cities continue to suffer from riots and violent protests that have killed some, injured many, and crippled communities. I’m praying for a swift and peaceful return to calm and order.
One of the most distressing images from these events, however, aside from the taking of human lives, involves the burning of Bibles. Although this incredible book is still widely available, such an act illustrates major disruptions in human hearts and gross ignorance or hatred of what the Bible contains. I have to wonder if the individuals who did this ever read this amazing book.
In 2013 several national leaders strongly condemned plans to burn a Quran in Florida. Those who intended to do so were not only arrested, but blamed for sparking terrorism. Fast forward seven years and I hear no outrage from any of these same individuals when another book considered holy by many, is actually burned. My dad always said it was a poor ruler that didn’t measure both ways.
The contrast in reactions, however, illustrates a key difference between the messages proclaimed by these two books. Although Christians are saddened when the Bible is burned, we realize that such an act doesn’t negate nor destroy the truth it contains. An attempt to burn God’s Word in Jeremiah’s day didn’t eliminate the judgment it foretold and it eventually befell the ones who burned it.
Contained on the pages that went up in the Portland flames is the story of a Creator-God who loved His creatures so much that He became one of us to save us from ourselves. In doing so, He not only became the perfect sacrifice, but He also commanded us to love and respect all people.
The main purpose and message of the Bible is Jesus. He is promised and anticipated throughout the Old Testament and then revealed and highlighted in the New. Page after page depicts a loving Savior teaching God’s truths in plain language that all can understand.
Jesus’ Good Samaritan parable and His example with the woman at the well both demonstrate God’s extreme love for all people as does His command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Only those intent on hating or destroying their neighbors would want to incinerate such words.
The Bible is a book of good news! It tells us how, in spite of the worst we have done, God can and does still save human beings. That it’s not His will for any to eternally perish without Him but that all would accept Jesus and be saved.
The story of Jesus culminates with His death and resurrection. Although skeptics and atheists have tried to disprove these events, they have been unable to do so and several have become strong Christians as a result of their earnest research. If Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead, then it adds the greatest weight to all of His teachings.
Sadly, even many professing Christians have never read the Bible either and many who have continue to ignore much of what it says. Although we all fall short of God’s glory at times, it should be our determined effort to discover God’s will for ourselves and then live it to the best of our ability with the Holy Spirit’s help; politics, upbringing, and culture notwithstanding.
The truth of God’s Word and the power of God’s love cannot be erased by fire or anything else. Followers of Jesus know the truth and although it sickens us to see it burned, we know that God’s Word will stand forever in spite of the best human attempts to destroy it.
Whether you are an atheist, agnostic, seeker, or a longtime believer, I challenge everyone to read God’s love letter and judge it’s accuracy for yourself. As you do, ask the God who inspired it to reveal its truth to you even if you doubt His existence. Research its history and its claims. And then decide for yourself what place it should have in your life. Don’t burn it until you’ve read it.
Blessings, George