The Bible is being reinterpreted into secular understanding.

1. The marginalisation of the Bible

The world is moving away from learning facts and seeking truth to using experiences to understand knowledge. See Hosea 4:6 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Experience was not for discovering truth. It was for learning how life must be conformed to the truth. See Proverbs 1:7. The Bible has been taken out of the schools and they are not any the better for the experience. The values of the Bible have been taken out of our educational system and society suffers. The Bible has been downgraded to a relic and a cultural icon. It is even happening in the Christian Church.

2. The meaning of marginalisation

It is a word that means “to relegate or confine to a lower or outer limit”. It is similar to “banish, deport, exile, dispel, blacklist or boycott”. It is something that happens subtly and is a gradual diminishing. It happens when leaders in authority stop given credence to something or someone. The Bible has been pushed to the side.

3. Modern marginal Christians

Why do so some calling themselves “Christians” not accept the Bible? The book which is the only known source for their faith is being marginalised. It is the only way you can be considered a Christian. It is the source for the faith and practice. How can the book for the foundation of your faith be pushed to the side?

• The example of leaders and authorities – Christians are to be submissive to leaders and those in authority but how far should we go? It has become harder to be a Christian as governments reject Christianity and the Bible. They are secular. We need a wakeup call. We are to uphold God’s Word regardless of anyone else. God’s authority overrides the authority of this world.
• The price of loyalty – There are Christians who risk their lives for access to the Bible. See 1 Kings 22:14. We are to speak God’s Word and not what people want to hear. Those who are loyal pay a price. There is pressure but we are not to conform, regardless of the cost.
• The fear of shame – People are ashamed at being known as a Christian. The intellectual defence is not required. See Luke 9:26. We believe in God and He has revealed Himself through His Word.
• The fear of offence – The word tolerance means acceptance of all things as does not allow for exclusive truth. See John 14:6. Christianity is exclusive and the truth. It may not be what some people and the world wants to hear. The road is narrows and straight, rather than broad and crooked. See 1 Peter 2:6-8. The Bible causes offence to some but is the foundation to those who believe and obey. It is the response to the stone which is the deciding factor. See 1 Corinthians 1:18. This is the power of God.
• The fear of competition – Too many Churches are competing for attendances and money. The teaching and preaching of God’s Word can be lost in the entertainment and media presentations. See Acts 2:42. The Spirit of God uses the content of the Bible. It sets people free and helps them to grow in faith. See Ephesians 4:13-14.

4. Measuring marginalisation

It can be seen in government, education and business. There are exemptions but generally the Bible is missing from these three areas. Too often the Bible is seen as offering the same spiritual truths as other religions. The younger the person, the less confidence there seems in the Bible. This is a reflection of their parents. The importance of the Bible is waning.

The Church needs to continue to transform rather than conform to the trends of the world. Christians are to be different from the world – not the same. The Bible transforms a person into salt and light that penetrates the darkness of this world.

Categories: 2 Timothy