Joseph A. Warren, Contributor
JAMES DOBSON, Christian psychologist and author of 'Parenting Isn't for Cowards' documents that the Biblical approach to life, especially parenting, is not for the faint of heart. Without a doubt the Bible is the most controversial of all sacred texts. While many sacred writings contain vastly different versions of creation and ancient history, none make the demands on an individual's belief system, lifestyle, and world view as the holy scriptures do.
In a nutshell the Bible claims to be the unalterable words of Jehovah, the Creator and God above all other gods. By far the largest source of endless controversy about the Bible centres on the birth, character, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, intercession, and second return of Jesus. The Bible states in many places that Jesus is equal to God and therefore must be worshiped as God. Jesus Himself complicated the matter when He stated in the gospel (first four books of the New Testament) that access to His Father comes only through His mame.
The Holy Spirit, as identified in the Bible, is the third, invisible, omnipresent, omnipotent member of the Godhead. He is equal to the Father and to Jesus and likewise worthy of worship. The Holy Spirit is also described as the force that called the earth into existence and sustains it moment by moment.
The remarkable thing about Spirit-led personal study of the Bible is that millions worldwide, at different times, in different languages, and from different cultures have come to similar conclusions about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This commonality of understanding is known in the Bible as the Holy Spirit bearing witness. Let's experiment!
Step 1: Prove Me Now
Step one in the great Bible experiment must begin completely independent of the Bible. One must have a real personal problem or dilemma that has no human solution and is perfectly hopeless. The biblical story of Jonah proves that God honours only specific personal requests when one's soul has "fainted" away (Jonah 2:7, KJV). Ideal examples of perfectly hopeless situations are addictions that one is powerless to break, relationships that have failed miserably, negative attitudes or behaviours that one cannot overcome, and natural needs for human survival that one cannot supply. In short, one must make an "all or nothing" experiment (risk) with the Bible's Jehovah. If He is God, He alone can do the impossible. Otherwise, He is not God and not worthy of one's faith, worship, and service.
When one, like Jonah, is absolutely helpless they need only say or think, "Holy Spirit, I need Your help." The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit reads one's mind and is universally present to respond to the sincere needs of all humans. Though often unrecognised as the source, it is the Holy Spirit alone who motivates all humans to show kindness to each other.
When one is enslaved by a life-destroying addiction that has not responded to hypnotism, therapy, self-help, mediation, channeling, and 12-Step programmes, they need only think silently or speak out loud a specific Biblical promise. It is essential that one personalises the promise to reflect one's unique need. Below are sample requests for the Holy Spirit's power to reverse life's negative events.
For deliverance from personal addiction see Romans 15:13, KJV); For restoration to prosperity refer to Psalm 34:10, ; For charity of thought and purity of emotionsrefer to Proverbs 3:5, 6.
The Holy Spirit promises to meet every need from His riches in heaven (Phillipians 4:19). However, the time, nature, manner, and particulars of meeting your personal needs are not matters of human choosing. This great Bible experiment requires faith (risk-taking) to ask for help and faith (experimentation) to wait for deliverance. One must not be discouraged if there is a period of delay. The answer is as certain as the rainbow, a natural sign of God's unchanging character and purposes.
Step 2: Find the Main Character, Jesus
Step two of the great Bible experiment is to read about the Bible's central character and them, Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus' character, mission, humanity, and sacrifice are revealed through many symbols and object lessons. Unless one can see the unbroken thread of the revealed Jesus Christ, the Bible will be mere history, poetry, wisdom literature, biographies, mysterious prophecies, and fodder for "vain debates."
Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to get a first impression of Jesus. Each reading must be preceded by a simple request: "Holy Spirit, reveal to me the truth about Jesus." The Holy Spirit's principal assignment is to reveal Jesus to all who seek to know Him (John 16:13). Without this assistance, reading the Bible is guaranteed to do more harm than good.
When one is sincere in their search for the truth about Jesus, the great Bible experiment will always reveal a Person who is all together lovely and worthy of imitation.
Except for a determined, personal, and intelligent study of the Bible, there is no way for us to be fully convinced that the Bible is the revealed Word of God. To guarantee unqualified success in the great Bible experiment, the Bible states that God will make Himself evident to all who seek Him with a sincere heart (Deuteronomy 4:29).
The question is not whether the Bible is the final authority for all human conduct; the final question is this: Do you have God or are you afraid to know Jesus for yourself?
Joseph A. Warren contributes from Maryland.
