"It’s Biblical." . . . Really? Who Said So?
Over the last several weeks, I have heard and read arguments that included the words “It’s biblical.” I think the speaker or writer assumed that he or she had settled the issue for themselves and for everyone else as well by saying “It’s biblical.” In the bygone era, evangelists wearing bright suits and neon ties traveled with musicians who played the saw and who had ordered one too many ventriloquist kits. In any revival meeting with such an evangelist and musician, one line most certainly to get several “Amens” and at least one “Glory” was, “The Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it.” Before you start to think about how far we have come from those days, in our age of high tech church we have reduced the same kind of “let’s don’t discuss it” statement to “It’s biblical.”

Please don’t misunderstand, I am not suggesting that we devalue or discredit the Bible. It is still our book of authority. However, just because someone says “it’s biblical” doesn’t mean it is. When someone tells you something is “biblical,” here are three questions to ask yourself or the person who made the statement (if they will let you).

1. Is it really in the Bible, or are they just making it up? Surely no one would do that, or would they? Of course they would! All of us are sinners, and in the name of passion, truth is compromised far too often. Many well-meaning people have unfortunately adopted the wisdom of this world which says that the end justifies the means. Sometimes when people say, “It’s biblical,” they really mean “it should have been in the Bible if God had not accidentally left it out.”

2. Does the Bible just mention it, or does the Bible teach it? Many things are mentioned in the Bible as description but are not commands. In the Old Testament, you will read of God’s people doing bad things, but it does not mean we are allowed to do the same bad things. Frequently, someone will hold up the early New Testament church as an example of what we ought to be doing. Yes, some of what they were doing we should be doing. But remember, the Apostle Paul wrote some very condemning statements about some of the things they were doing. When someone says we need to become a New Testament church, find out whether they are referring to the New Testament church as it should have been or perhaps to the church in Corinth. Unfortunately, too many of our churches are like the church in Corinth which was immoral, divisive, and self-serving.

3. How does the life of Jesus interpret it? Remember Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus lived a perfect righteous life, and we interpret Scripture in light of how Jesus lived. Anything that contradicts the life of Jesus is not biblical.

In the last several months, books have been written (at least four I know of) suggesting that Christians should withdraw from the culture and start their own alternative world. While we most certainly do live by different values than the sinful world, we do not withdraw. Much of what these books describe is more like John the Baptist than Jesus. While John the Baptist was a mighty prophet, he was not the only begotten son of God who is redeemer and Lord.

Jesus lived in the world, but not of the world. Jesus did not suggest that people quit their jobs, move to communes, and question the role of any governmental authority. Jesus engaged the culture to transform it.

Recently, several political/religious writers, who have promoted their agendas in this election, have used the adjective “biblical” to sanctify their positions. These writers, who represent both sides of political spectrum, would have you think that Jesus was the key strategist for lower taxes, wealth redistribution, saving the planet, using the planet, censorship, and free speech.

You must stop and ask yourself, “Did Jesus really address these issues?” While Jesus and the biblical writers did address issues like justice, poverty, materialism, and government, their primary focus was the redemption of humanity through Jesus. This redemption is spiritual, moral, individual, and societal in nature. While we do apply the teachings of Jesus to every area of life, we need to be careful we don’t use the words of Jesus and Scripture verses to support our personal and temporary solution to these issues.

Again, don’t read these words as my way of questioning biblical authority. Simply make sure the person who says “it’s biblical” really speaks from the book of authority and not just with the boldness of an authoritarian. If someone tells you “it’s biblical,” don’t assume that just because they said “it’s biblical” that you can now end your search for truth. Instead, allow God’s Spirit to lead you to thoroughly search the Bible and find the truth. Now, that is biblical! (see Colossians 1:19 and II Timothy 3:16-17)