Confessions of a Reformed BIBLiophile (continued)

through the propaganda as soon as the propaganda is seen for what it is. Because the absolute truth lies behind the Bible, rather than in a doctrine of biblical inerrancy, then I do not risk losing the truth if I question what the Bible appears to say.

Returning to the subject of J M Smith's Guardian article, I do not doubt that the selection of the New Testament canon was politically motivated, as he implies. I said as much in one of my previous articles, but I do not believe that the New Testament writers themselves were in on the plot. They never imagined that their writings would end up being printed on gold edged paper, and they had no ambitions to become best selling authors. They wrote sincerely, but they wrote with a purpose in mind. They intended to convey their beliefs and they would not have been ashamed of their bias. They were as selective with their material as anyone would be who was trying to set out a case, but they were not aiming to deceive. The same must have been true of many of the ancient gospels and letters which did not get into the Bible. I am sure also that these men were recipients of divine inspiration, but it was their ideas that were inspired, not their actual words. They were also capable of adding thoughts, glosses and opinions of their own and, where history was concerned, of misunderstanding their sources. They were as human as we are, and the Spirit did not override their humanity any more than he does in our lives today. But their humanity could not hide the truth that motivated their words and actions. The truth shines through.

Because of my personal struggles I can readily understand the concern that many faithful people have to see that the Bible's authority is upheld. Clearly the Bible has had times of usefulness in counteracting evil (this sounds like an understatement!) and its revolutionary potential has frequently led to its suppression. Those who have been risking life and limb to take it to persecuted peoples (See Note 5) cannot easily concur with a view that diminishes its importance. Those who, like me, have centred their lives on the Bible are also going to feel considerable anguish at the prospect of having their foundations shaken, Changing the metaphor, we cannot easily shift our centre of gravity without experiencing a fear of falling. The example of traditional liberals tends not to be attractive. Their quotations from other sources are no adequate replacement for biblical authority, and their presentation of a God who cannot perform wonders leaves us asking who needs such a God. Whether the source of our enlightenment is in nature, in human lives or in literature it is the sense of wonder that underlies all spiritual experience.

//Continued