By : OBOURBA.

“ How can the Bible be accepted as universal when certain aspects of it are obsolete by reason of the ancient cultures out of which it arose ?. In view of its historical setting, how can it be practical today ?. How can it function as a guide for modern man? “.

These are questions that trouble many. In considering these issues there are several factors that must be taken into considerations. First, if the one posing this objection were concerned about arguing a consistent position, he would be forced to contend that God could never give a written revelation to mankind, because history does not stand still. There always has been, and ever shall be, changes in cultural conditions. Thus according to the logic advanced above, any written communication from heaven would become obsolete in a relatively rapid time frame.

For that matter, if the premise were valid, all historical documents would be worthless because the modern student would be unable to understand them due to evolving circumstances.

In order to address the alleged problem of biblical obsolescence, one must recognise the following facts:

a) God exists. He is the creator of humankind.

b) He had ( and has) an ideal goal for Adam's offspring. But humanity irresponsibly exercising its freedom of choice, rejected that ideal and plunged itself into a state of sin and suffering.
c)Out of divine love, a plan for man's redemption was initiated.

d)That plan was revealed progressively across the ages of history.

e) From the nature of the case, the record of that purpose has been embedded in developing history.

f) By His infinite power, the Lord was able to adapt the facts and conditions of his purpose to a universal mode of communication that was/ is capable of being understood in any era, in spite of the fluctuations of historical circumstances.

Let's consider the ff:

Much of the Bible has its roots in the land of Canaan. A land God gave to Abraham and his offspring in preparation for the coming MESSIAH. One of the remarkable characteristics of this small territory is its versatility.
Palestine has a variety of geographical features ( from snowcapped mountains to the sweltering region of the Dead Sea area.
The land has hosted a vast conglomerate of forests, plants, and animals ( both wild and domestic). This unusual diversity, together with the fact that much of the imagery by which biblical ideas are conveyed is drawn from the conditions of the region, has provided an ideal means of accomodating a wide range of cultures ( both ancient and modern). It is hardly a coincidence that Jehovah chose this region as preparatory ground for the unfolding of his revelation by means of the Holy Scriptures.

Jesus expected the people of his generation to understand the requirements of Moses' law, even though that religious system had been initiated 1500 years earlier. For instance, Christ rebuked the Sadducces, charging that they were ignorant of the scriptures. Then in establishing the case for the resurrection of the dead, he based his argument from a text in the book of Exodus (Matt 22:29-32). It is obvious that the Lord did not endorse the notion that the clarity of the Old Testament documents had been shrouded in obscurity by the passing of time.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul declared that “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning , that through patience and through the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Many truths are timelessly transparent, in spite of the culturally grounded language in which they were written. When the Pharisees and scribes saw Jesus extending friendship to sinners and tax collectors, they harshly criticised him. And so, in one of his parables the Saviour told of a man who had a hundred sheep, one of which wandered into the wilderness and became lost. With loving concern, the shepherd went after the lost sheep and tenderly brought it home.(Luke 15:1-7) Though most of us are not in the “sheep business” today , it does not require an advanced degree in animal science to understand the lesson being conveyed. Who can miss the spiritual point in the parable of the Good Samaritan(Luke 10:25 ff.),or the message in the Sermon on the mount( Matt 5:1-48).

The charge that the Bible was written some centuries past and therefore is irrelevant today is without merit. This is but an attempt to “cut loose” from one's creator, be free from moral and religious obligations and fashion a system of human flexibility that permits man to “direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

By: Obourba Asante Taado.
Excerpts from the:
Voice of Truth
Gospel Advocate
The Christian Chronicle.